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Muskegon and Ottawa Counties 

MICHIGAN. 



CONTAINING 



Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens, 

AND OF THE 

g Presidents of the I5nited states. ^ 



CHICAGO: 

1893 



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5 1 11-: greatust of Englisli liL-;i,>ii:ins, Macaulat, and one of the most brilliant writers of 
the present century, has said: "The history of a country is best told in a record of the 
lives of its peuple." In conformity willi tliis i<li'a tlic rouruvrr and Bio<iUAriiUAi. 
Ili-.i'oiti) Qf y,J5 cimiily has bi'i'ii pioparod. Iiisteiul of ,y:oing to musty ri'cords, and 
Inking therefrom dry statistical matter that can he apprccialid by but few, oui 
corps of writers have gone to the people, tiie men and \voinen wlio have, l)y then 
enterprise and industry, hnmght tlie eounty to rank seeond to none among those 
comprising this great and noble State, and from their lips have the story of their life 
struggles. No more interesting or instruetive matter could be presented to an intelli- 
gent puldic. In this volume will be found a record of many wiiose lives are worth}' the 
imitation of coming generations. It tells how some, commencing life in poverty, by 
industry and economy have accumulated wealth. It tells how otliers, with limited 
aihantages for securing an education, have l)ecomc learned men and women, with an 
influence extending throughout the length and breadth of tlie land. It tells of nn-n who 
have risen from the lower walks of life to eminence as statesmen, an<l whose names have 
become famous. It tells of those in every walk in life who have striven to sueeeed,and 
records how that success has usually crowned their efforts. It tells also of many, very 
many, who, not seeking the applause of the world. Iiave jiursued "the even tenor of their way," conten' 
to have it said of them as Christ said of the woman performnig a deed of mercy — "they have done what 
they could." It tells how that many in the pride and strength of young manhood left the plow and the 
anvil, the lawyer's oflkc and the counting-room, left ev»iy trade and profession, and at their country's 
call went forth valiantly "to do or die," and how through their efforts the I'nion was restored and peace 
once more reigned in the land. In the life of every man and of every woman is a lesson that should not 
be lost n|)ou those who follow after. 

Coming generations will a|)preciate this volume and preserve it as a sacred treasure, from the fact 
that it contains so much tliat would never find its way into puljlic records, and which would otherwise be 
inaccessible. Great care has been taken in the compilation of the work and every opportunity po.ssible 
given to those represented to insure correctness in what has been written, and the publishers flatter them 
selves that they give to their readers a work with few errors of consequence. In addition to the biograph 
ical sketches, jiortraits of a number of representative citizens arc given. 

The faces of some, and biographical sketches of many, will be missed in this volume. For tliis the 
publishei-s are not to blame. Not having a proper conception of the work, some refused to give the 
information neces.sary to compile a sketch, while others were indifferent. Occasionally some memlier of 
the family would oppose the enterprise, and on account of such opi)osilion the support of the interested 
one would be withheld. In a few instances men could never be found, though repeated calls were made 
at their residence or place of business. 

November, 18'J3. IJuh.i; \enii m I'i i-.i.isiiini, fo. 




OF THE 






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FIRST PRESIDENT. 



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HE Father of our Country was 
\ff) born in Westmorland Co., V'a., 
a Feb. 22, 1732. His i)arents 
¥ were Augustine and Mary 
Jj= (Ball) Washington. The family 
to which he belonged has not 
been satisfactorily traced in 
England. His great-grand- 
father, John Washington, em- 
igrated to Virginia about 1657, 
and became a pros|)erous 
planter. He had two sons, 
Lawrence and John. The 
former married Mildred Warner 
and . had three children, John. 
Augustine and Mildred. Augus- 
tine, the father of George, fitst 
married Jane Hutler, who bore 
him four children, two of whom, 
Lawrence and Augustine, reached 
maturity. Of si.x children by his 
second marriage, George was the 
eldest, the others being Betty, 
Samuel, Joiin Augustine, Charles 
and Mildred. 
Augustine Washington, the father of George, died 
in 1743, leaving a large landed property. To his 
eldest son, Lawrence, he beipieathed an estate on 
ihe I'atoinac, afterwards known as Mount Vernon, 
and to George he let't the parental residence. George 
received only such education as the neighlwrhood 
scIkwIs afforded, save for a short time after he left 
school, when he received private imtruction in 
mattiemal'cs. Hie spellinii was rather defective. 



■V 



Remarkable stories are told of his great physica: 
strength and development at an early age. He was 
an acknowledged leader among his companions, and 
was early noted for that nobleness of character, fair- 
ness and veracity whicli characterized his whole life. 

When George was 1 4 years old he had a desire to go to 
sea, and a midshipman's warrant was secured for him, 
but through the opposition of his mother the idea was 
abandoned. Two years later he was appointed 
surveyor to the immense estate of Lord Fairfax. In 
this business he spent three years in a rough frontier 
life, gaining experience which afterwards proved very 
essential to him. In 1751, though only 19 years of 
age, he was apixjinted adjutant with the rank of 
major in the Virginia militia, then being trained for 
active service against the French and Indians. Soon 
after this he sailed to the West Indies with his brother 
Lawrence, who went there to restore his health. They 
soon returned, and in the summer of 1752 Lawrence 
died, leaving a large fortune to an infant daughter 
who did not long survive him. On her demise tlie 
estate (>f Mount Vernon was given to George, 

Upon the arrival of Robert Dinwiddle, as Lieuten- 
ant-Governor of Virginia, in 1752, the militia was 
reorganized, and the province divided into four mili- 
tary districts, of which the northern was assigned to 
Washington as adjutant general. Shortly after this 
a very perilous mission was assigned him and ac- 
cepted, which others had refused. This was to pro- 
ceed to the French post near Lake Erie in North- 
western Pennsylvania. The distance to be traversed 
was between 500 and 600 miles. Winter was at hand, 
and the journey was to be made without military 
escort, through a territory occupied by Indians. Tht 



GEORGE WASHINGTON. 



trip was a perilous one, and several limes he came near 
losing his life, yet he returned in safety and furnished 
a full and useful rejxjrt of his ex[>edition. A regiment 
of 300 men was raised in Virginia and put in com- 
mand of Col. Joshua Fry, and Major Washington was 
commissioned lieutenant-colonel. Active war was 
then begun against the French and Indians, in which 
Washington look a most important part. In the 
memorable event of July 9, 1755, known as Brad- 
dock's defeat, Washington was almost the only officer 
of distinction who escaped from the calamities of the 
day with life and honor. The other aids of Braddock 
were disabled early in the action, and Wasiiington 
alone was left in that capacity on the field. In a letter 
to his brother he says : "I had four bullets through 
my coat, and two horses shot under me, yet I escaped 
unhurt, though death was levelin" my companions 
on every side." An Indian sliarpshooter said he was 
not born to be killed by a bullet, for he had taken 
direct aim at him seventeen times, and failed to hit 
him. 

.\fter having been five years in the military service, 
and vainly sought promotion in the royal army, he 
look advantage of the fall of Fort Duquesne and the 
expulsion of the French from the valley of the Ohio, 
10 resign his commission. Soon after he entered the 
Legislature, where, although not a leader, he took an 
active and important part. January 17, 1759, he 
married Mrs. Martha (Dandridge) Custis, the wealthy 
widow of John Parke Custis. 

When the British Parliament had closed the port 
<^{ Boston, the cry went up throughout the provinces 
that "The cause of Boston is the cause of us all." 
It was then, at (lie suggestion of Virginia, that a Con- 
gress of all the colonies was called to meet at Phila- 
delphia.Sept. 5, 1774, to secure their common liberties, 
peaceably if jxissible. To this Congress Col. Wash- 
ington was sent as a delegate. On May to, 1775, the 
Congress re-assembled, when the hostile intentions of 
England were plainly apparent. The battles of Con- 
cord and Lexington had been fought. Among the 
first acts of this ("ongress was the election of a com- 
mander-in-chief of tiie colonial forces. This high and 
res])onsible office was conferred u[K)n Washington, 
who was still a memberof the Congress. He accepted 
it on June 19, but upon the express condition that he 
receive no salary. He would keep an exact account 
of expenses and expect Congress lo pay them and 
nothing more. It is not the object of this sketch to 
trace the military acts of Washington, to whom the 
fortunes and liberties of the people of this country 
were so long confided. The war was conducted by 
him under every possible disadvantage, and while his 
forces often met with reverses, yet he overcame every 
obstacle, and after seven years nf heroic devotion 
and matchless skill he gained liberty for the greatest 
nation of earth. On Dec. 23, 1783, Washington, in 
a parting address of surpassing beauty, resigned his 



commission as commander-in-chief of the army 10 
to the Continental Congress sitting at Annapolis. Hl 
retired immediately to Mount Vernon and resumei 
his occupation as a farmer and planter, shunning all 
connection wiih public life. 

In February, 1789, Washington was unanimously 
elected President. In his presidential career he was 
subject to the peculiar trials incidental to a iiew 
government ; trials from lack of confidence on the par 
of other governments; trials from want of harmony 
between the different sections of our own country; 
trials from the impoverished condition of the country, 
owmgto the war and want of credit; trials from the 
beginnings of party strife. He was no partisan. His 
clear judg;nenl could discern the golden mean; and 
while perhaps this alone kept our government from 
sinking at the very outset, it left him exposed to 
attacks from both sides, which were often bitter and 
very annoying. 

At the expiration of his first term he was unani- 
mously re-elected. At the end of this term many 
were anxious that he be re-elected, but he absolutely 
refused a third nomination. On the fourth of March, 
1797, at the expiraton of his second term as Presi- 
dent, he returned to his home, hoping to pass there 
his few remaining years free from the annoyances of 
public life. Later in the year, however, his reixjse 
seemed likely to be interrupted by war with France- 
.At the prospect of such a war he was again urged to 
take command of the armies. He chose his sub- 
ordinate officers and left to them the charge of mat- 
ters in the field, which he superintended from his 
home. In accepting the command he made the 
reservation that he was not to be in the field until 
it was necessary. In the midst of these preparations 
his life was suddenly cut off. December i 2, he took 
a severe cold from a ride in the rain, which, settling 
in his throat, produced inflammation, and terminated 
fatally on the night of the fourteenth. On the eigh- 
teenth his body was borne wi'h military honors to its 
final resting ])lace, and interred in the family vault at 
Mount Vernon. 

Of the character of Washington it is impossible to 
speak but in terms of the highest respect and ad- 
miration. The more we see of the operations of 
our government, and the more deeply we feel the 
difficulty of unitirig all opinions in a common interest, 
the more highly we must estimate the force of his tal- 
ent and character, which have be'-n able to challenge 
the reverence of all parties, and princi])les, and na- 
tions, and to win a fame as extended as the limits 
of the globe, and which we cannot but believe will 
be as lasting as the existence of man. 

The person of Washington was unusally tan, erect 
and well projwrtioned. His muscu'ar strength was 
great. His features were of a beautiful symmetry. 
He commanded respect without any a|pcarance of 
haughtiness, and ever serious without l-^in^ dull. 



SECOND PRESIDENT. 



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JOHN ADAMS. 




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\ 0HN ADAMS, the second 
".I'resideiit and the first Vice- 
President of the United States, 
was born in Braintree ( now 
Quincy ),Mass., and about ten 
'^ miles from Boston, Oct. 19, 
1735. His great-grandfather, Henry 
Adams, emigrated from England 
about 1640, with a family of eight 
, sons, and settled at Braintree. The 
parents of John were John and 
Susannah (Ekjylston) Adams. His 
father was a farmer of limited 
means, to which he added the bus- 
iness of shoemaking. He gave his 
eldest son, John, a classical educa- 
tion at Harvard College. John 
graduated in 1755, and at once took charge of the 
school in Worcester, Mass. This he found but a 
'sci.ool of affliction," from which \vi endeavored to 
gain relief by devoting himself, in addition, to the 
study of law. For this purjose he placed himself 
under the tuition of the only lawyer in the town. He 
had thought seriously of the clerical profession 
but seems to have been turned from this by what he 
termed " the frightful engines of ecclesiastical coun- 
jils, of diabolical malice, and Calvanistic good nature,'" 
of the oi)erations of which he had been a witness in 
his native town. He was well fitted for the legal 
profession, possessing a clear, sonorous voice, being 
ready and fluent of si)eech, and having quick percep- 
tive ix)wers. He gradually gained practice, and in 
1764 married .\bigail Smith, a daughter of a minister, 
and a lady of superior intelligence. Shortly after his 
marriage, {i7^<s), the attempt of Parliamentary taxa- 
tion turned him from law to jwlitics. He took initial 
•teps toward holdin^ :i town meeting, and the resolu- 




»»> 



tions he offered on the subject became very jopulai 
throughout the Provnice, and were adopted word for 
word liy over forty different towns. He moved to Bos- 
ton in 1768, and became one of the most courageous 
and prominent advocatesof the jxspular cause, and 
was chosen a member of the General Court (the I.eg- 
lislaturo) in 1770. 

Mr. ,\dams was chosen one of the first delegates 
from Massachusetts to the first Continental Congreis, 
which met in 1774. Here he distinguished himselt 
by his capacity for business and for debate, and ad- 
vocated tlic movement for independence against \\-,i 
majority of the members. In May, 1776, he moved 
and carried a resolution in Congress that the Colonies 
should assume the duties of self-government. H^ 
was a prominent member of the committee of five) 
appointed June 11, to prepare a declaration of inde- 
pendence. This article was drawn by Jefferson, but 
on Adams devolved the task of battling it through 
Congress in a three days debate. 

On the day after the Declaration of Independence 
was passed, while his soul was yet warm with th? 
glow of excited feeling, he wrote a letter to his wife 
which, as we read it now, seems to have been dictated 
by the spirit of prophecy. "Yesterday," he says,"t'iie 
greatest (juestion was decided that ever was debated 
in .Xmerica; and greater, perhaps, never was or wil 
be decide<l among men. \ resolution was passed 
without one dissenting colony, ' that these United 
States are, and of right ought to be, free and inde- 
pendent states.' The day is passed. The fourth of 
July, 1776, will be a memorable e[ioch in the history 
of America. I am apt to believe it will be celebrated 
by succeeding generations, as the great anniversary 
festival. It ought to be commemorated as the day of' 
deliverance by solemn acts of devotion to Almighty 
Crtjd. It ought to be solemnized with jomp, shows 



JOHN ADAMS. 



games, six)rts, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations 
lioui one end of the continent to the other, from tjiis 
lime forward for ever. ' You will think me transported 
with enthusiasm, but I am not. i am well aware of 
tile toil, and blood and treasure, that it will cost to 
maintain this declaration, and sup[)ort and defend 
these States; yet, through all the gloom, I can seethe 
rays of light and glory. I can see that the end is 
w^rth more than all the means; and that posterity 
will triumph, although you and I may rue, which I 
hope we shall not." 

In November, 1777, Mr. .\dams was appointed a 
delegate to France and to co-operate with Berajamin 
Franklin and Arthur Lee, who were then in Paris, in 
the endeavor to obtain assistance in arms and money 
from the French Government. This was a severe trial 
to his patriotism, as it separated him from his home, 
compelled him to cross the ocean in winter, and ex- 
posed him to great peril of capture by the British cruis- 
ers, who were seeking him. He left France June 17, 
1779. In September of the same year he was again 
ciiosen to go to Paris, and there hold himself in readi- 
ness to negotiate a treaty of peace and of commerce j 
with Great Britian, as soon as the British Cabinet 
might be found willing to listen to such ptoposels. He 
sailed for France in November, from there he went to 
Holland, where he negotiated 1m|)ortant loans and 
formed important commercial treaties 

Finally a treaty of peace with England was signed 
Jan. 21, 1783. The re-action from the excitement, 
toil and anxiety through which Mr. .'\danis had passed 
threw him into a fever. After suffering from a con- 
tinued fever and becoming feeble and emaciated he 
was advised to goto England to drink the waters of 
B.ith. While in England, still drooping anddes[)ond- 
ing, he received dispatches from his own government 
urging the necessity of his going to .\msterdam to 
negotiate another loan. It was winter, his health was 
delicate, yet he immediately set out, and through 
storm, on sea, on horseback and foot,he made the trip. 

February 24, 1785; Congress apjxjinted Mr. Adams 
envoy to the Court of St. James. Here he met face 
to face the King of England, who had so long re- 
garded him as a traitor. As England did not 
condescend to apixjint a minister to the United 
States, and as Mr. Adams felt that he was accom- 
plishing but little, he sought ]ierniission to return to 
.nis own country, where he arrived in June, 1788. 

When Washington was first chosen President, John 
Adams, rendered illustiious by his signal services at 
home and abroad, was chosen Vice President, .\gain 
at the second election of Washington as President, 
Adams was chosen Vice President. In 1796, Wash- 
ington retired from public life, and Mr. Adams was 
elected President, though not without much opix)sition. 
Serving in this office four vears.he was succeeded by 
.Mr. Jefferson, his opp<>nent in politics. 

"5Vliile Mr. Adams was Vice President the great 



French Revolution shook the continent of Europe, 
and it was \x\yon this jwint which he was atissujwnh 
the majority of his countrymen led by Mr. Jefferson. 
Mr. Adams felt no sympathy with the French people 
in their struggle, for he had no confidence in their 
power of self-government, and he utterly abhored the 
classof atheist philosophers who he claimed caused it. 
On the other hand Jefferson's sympathies were strongly 
enlisted in behalf of the French people. Hence or- 
iginated the alienation between these distinguished 
men, and two powerful parties were thus soon organ- 
ized, .Adams at the head of the one whose sympathies 
were with England and Jefferson led the other in 
sympathy with France. 

The world has seldom seen a spectacle of more 
moral beauty and grandeur, than was presented by the 
old age of Mr. Adams. The violence of party feeling 
had died away, and he had begun to receive that just 
appreciation which, to most men, is not accorded till 
after death. No one could look upon his venerable 
form, and think of what he had done and suffered, 
and how he had given up all the prime and strength 
of his life to the public good, without the deepest 
emotion of gratitude and respect. It was his peculiar 
good fortune to witness the complete success of the 
institution which he had been so active in creating and 
supporting. In 1824, his cup of happiness was filled 
to the brim, by seeing his son elevated to the highest 
station in the gift of the people. 

The fourth of. July, 1826, which completed the half 
century since the signing of the Declaration of Inde- 
pendence, arrived, and there were but three of the 
signers of that immortal instrument left upon the 
earth to hail its morning light. And, as it is 
well known, on that day two of these finished theit 
earthly pilgrimage, a coincidence so remarkable as 
to seem miraculous. For a few days before Mr. 
Adams had been rapidly failing, and on the morning 
of the fourth he found hmiself too weak to rise from 
his bed. On being requested to name a toast for the 
customary celebration of the day, he exclaimed " In- 
DEPKNDENCE FOREVKR." When the day was ushered 
in, by the ringing of bells and the firing of cannons, 
he was asked by one of his i:ttendants if he knew 
what day it was? He replied, "O yes; it is the glor- 
ious fourih of July — God bless it — (>od bless you all." 
In the course of the day he said, "It is a great and 
glorious day." The last words he uttered were, 
"Jefferson survives." But he had, nt one o'clock, re- 
signed his spiiit into the hands of his God. 

The personal appearance and manners of Mr 
Adams were not particularly jireiKSSsessint-. His face, 
as his portrait manifests.was intellectual ard exiires 
sive, luit his figure was low and tnigraceful, and h'\ 
manners were frequently abrupt and uncourteo'.is. 
He had neither the lofty dignity of Washington, nor 
the engaging elegance and irracefulness which marked 
the manners and address of Jefferson. 



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THIRD PRESIDENT. 



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Tli DMAS JET"FEE S 0^^ 










HOMAS JEFFERSON was 

jorn April 2, 1743, at Shad- 
'^«- "■ /rV)] B lith !!■•" well, Alberniarlc county, Va. 

His |)art'nts were Peter and 
Jane ( Randolph) Jefferson, 
the former a native of Wales, 
and the latter born in Lon- 
don. To them were born six 
daughters and two sons, of 
wlioni Thomas was the elder. 
When 14 years of age his 
father died. He received a 
most liberal education, hav- 
ing been kept diligently at school 
from the time he was five years of 
age. In 1760 he entered William 
end Mary College. Williamsburg was then the seat 
of the Colonial Court, and it was the obodeof fashion 
a.id splendor. Yoimg Jefferson, who was then 17 
years old, lived somewhat CApensively, keeping fine 
horses, and much caressed by gay society, yet he- 
was earnestly devoted to his studies, and irreproatha- 
able in his morals. It is strange, however, under 
such influences,that he was not ruined. In tiie sec- 
ond year of his college course, moved by some un- 
explained inward impulse, he discarded his horses, 
society, and even his favorite violin, to which he had 
previously given much time. He often devoted fifteen 
jiou'.s a day to haid study, allowing himself for ex- 
ercise only a run in the evening twilight of a mile out 
of tlie city and back again. He thus attained very 
high intellectual culture, alike excellence in pliiloso- 
phy and the languages. The most difficult Latin and 
Greek authors he read with facility. A more finished 
scholar has seldom gone forth from college halls; and 



there was not to be found, perhaps, in all Virginia, a 
more pureminded, upright, gentlemanly young man. 

Immediately ui»n leaving college he began the 
study of law. For the short time he continued in the 
practice of his i)rofession he rose rapidly and distin- 
guished himself by his energy and accuteness as a 
lawyer. But the times called for greater action. 
The policy of England had awakened the spirit of 
resistance of the American Colonies, and the enlarged 
views which Jefferson had ever entertained, soon led 
him into active political life. In 1769 he was chosec 
a member of the Virginia House of Burgesses In 
1772 he married Mrs. Martha Skelton, a very oeauti- 
ful, wealthy and highly accom|)lished young widow 

Upon Mr. Jefferson's large estate at Shadwell, thsre 
was a majestic swell of land, called Monticello, which 
commanded a prospect of wonderful extent and 
beauty. This spot Mr. Jefferson selected for his new 
home; and here he reared a mansion of modest ye* 
elegant architecture, which, next to Mount Vernon 
became the most distinguished resort in our land. 

In 1775 he was sent to the Cdonial Congress 
where, though a silent member, his aiiilities as a 
writer and a reasoner soon become known, and he 
was '^ilaced uixdu a number of imiwrtant committees, 
and was chairman of the one appoiiited for the draw- 
ing up of a declaration of independence. This com- 
mittee consisted of Thouias Jefferson, John Adams, 
Benjamin Franklin, Roger .Siierman and Roliert R. 
Livingston. Jefferson, as chairman, was apiwinted 
to draw up the paper. Franklin and Adams suggested 
a few verbal changes before it was submitted to Con- 
gress. On June 28, a few slight changes were made 
in it by Congress, and it was passed and signed July 
4, 1776, What must have been the feelings of that 



28 



THOMAS JEFFERSON. 



man — what the emotions that swelled his breast — 
who was cliargcd with 'he preparation of tliat Dec- 
laration, which, while it made known the wrongs of 
America, was also to publish her to the world, free, 
soverign and independent. It is one of the most re- 
markable pa])ers ever written ; and did no other effort 
of tlie mind of its author exist, that alone would be 
sufficient to stamp his name with immortality. 

In 1779 Mr. Jefferson was elected successor to 
Patrick Henry, as Governor of Virginia. At one time 
the British officer, Tarleton, sent a secret expedition to 
Moniicello, to capture the Governor. Scarcely five 
minutes elapsed after the hurried escape of Mr. Jef- 
ferson and his family, ere his mansion was in posses- 
sion of the British troops. His wife's healtli, never 
very good, was much injured by this excitement, and 
in the summer of 1782 she died. 

Mr. Jefferson was elected to Congress in 1783. 
Two years later he was apixjinted Minister Plenipo- 
tentiary to France. Returning to the United States 
in September, 1789, he became Secretary of State 
in Washington's cabinet. This position he resigned 
Jan. r, 1794. In 1797, he was chosen Vice Presi- 
dent, and four years later was elected President over 
Mr. Adams, with Aaron Burr as Vice President. In 
1804 he was re-elected with wonderful unanimity, 
and George Clinton, Vice President. 

The early part of Mr. Jefferson's second adminstra- 
tion was disturbed by an event which threatened the 
tranquility and peace of the Union; this was tlie con- 
spiracy of Aaron Burr. Defeated in the late election 
to the Vice Presidency, and led on by an unprincipled 
ambition, this extraordinary man formed the plan of a 
military expedition into the Spanish territories on our 
southwestern frontier, for the purpose of forming there 
a new republic. This has been generally supposed 
was a mere pretext ; and although it has not been 
generally known what his real plans were, there is no 
doubt that they were of a far more dangerous 
character. 

In 1809, at the expiration of the second term for 
which Mr. Jefferson had been elected, he determined 
to retire from political life. For a period of nearly 
.'brty years, he had been continually before the pub- 
lic, and all that time had been employed in offices of 
the greatest trust and responsibility. Having thus de- 
voted the best part of his life to the service of his 
country, he now felt desirous of that rest which his 
declining years rciptired, and ui)on the organization of 
the new administration, in March, 1809, he bid fare- 
well forever to public life, and retired to Monticelio. 

Mr. Jefferson was profuse in his hospitality. Whole 
families came in their coaches with their horses, — 
fathers and mothers, boys and girls, babies and 
nurses, — and remained three and even six months. 
Life at Monticelio, for years, resembled that at a 
fashionable watering-place. 

The fourth of July, 1826, being the fiftieth anniver- 



sary of the Declaration of American Independence, 
great preparations were made in every pait of the 
Union for its celebration, as the nation's jubilee, and 
the citizens of Washington, to add to the solemnity 
of the occasion, invited Mr. Jefferson, as the framer, 
and one of the few surviving signers of the Declara- 
tion, to participate in their festivities. But an ill- 
ness, which had been of several weeks duration, and 
had been continually increasing, compelled him to 
decline the invitation. 

On the second of July, the disease under which 
he was laboring left him, but in such a reduced 
state that his medical attendants, entertained nc 
hope of his recovery. From this time he was perfectly 
sensible that his last hour was at hand. On the next 
dciy, which was Monday, he asked of those around 
him, the day of the month, and on being told it was 
the third of July, he expressed the earnest wish tha\ 
he might be permitted lo breathe the airof the fiftieth 
anniversary. His prayer was heard — that day, whose 
dawn was hailed with such rapture through our land, 
burst upon his eyes, and then they were closed for- 
ever. And what a noble consummation of a noble 
life! To die on that day, — the birthday of a nation,- - 
the day which his own name and his own act had 
rendered glorious; to die amidst the rejoicings and 
festivities of a whole nation, who looked up to him, 
as the author, under God, of their greatest blessings, 
was all that was wanting to fill up the record his life. 

Almost at the same hour of his death, the kin- 
dred spirit of the venerable Adams, as if to bear 
him company, left the scene of his earthly honors. 
Hand in hand they had stood forth, the champions of 
freedom; hand in hand, during the dark and desper- 
ate struggle of the Revolution, they had cheered and 
animated their des[X)nding countrymen; for half a 
century they had labored together for tne good of 
the country; and now hand in hand they depart. 
In their lives they had been united in the same great 
cause of liberty, and in their deaths they were not 
divided. 

In person Mr. Jefferson was tall and thin, rather 
above six feet in height, but well formed; his eyes 
were light, his hair originally red, in after life became 
white and silvery; his complexion was fair, his fore- 
head broad, and his whole coup^enance intelligent and 
thoughtful. He possessed great fortitude of mind as 
well as personal courage; and -.is command of tem- 
per was such that his oldest and most intimate friends 
never recollected to have seen him in a passion. 
His manners, though dignified, were simple and un- 
affected, and his hospitality was so unbounded that 
all fovmd at his house a ready welcome. In conver- 
sation he was fluent, eloquent and enthusiastic; and 
his language was remarkably pure and correct. He 
was a finished classical sc:holar, and in his writings is 
discernable the care with which he formed his style 
upon the best models of antiquity. 





^ 



/ 



(Z^ 



^ -^ i^iC t-1 c 



FOURTH J-KZ-.i^/VENT. 




pn]ES npDisoi]. 




AMES MADISON, "Father 

of the Constitution," and fourth 

^f' President of the United States, 

was born March i6, 1757, and 

._ . died at his home in Virginia, 

'•'yW^ June 28, 1836. The name of 
■ James Madison is inseparably con- 
nected with most of the imixjrtant 
events in that heroic period of our 
country during which the founda- 
tions of this great repubHc were 
laid. He was the last of the founders 
of the Constitution of the United 
States to be called to his eternal 
reward. 

The Madison family were among 
the early emigrants to the New World, 
landing u|X)n the shores of the Chesa- 
peake but 15 years after the settle- 
ment of Jamestown. The father of 
James Madison was an opulent 
planter, residing w\K>n a very fine es- 
tate called " Montpelier," Orange Co., 
Va. The mansion was situated in 
the midst of scenery highly pictur- 
esque and romantic, on the west side 
of South-west Mountain, at the foot of 
Blue Ridge. It was but 25 miles from the home of 
Jefferson at Monticello. The closest personal and 
]X)!itical attachment e.xisted between these illustrious 
men, from their early youtli until death. 

The early education of Mr. Madison wasconducteb 
mostly at home under a private tutor. At the age of 
18 he was sent to Princeton College, in New Jersey. 
Here he applied himself to study with the most im- 



prudent zeal; allowing himself, for months, but three 
hours' sleep out of the 24. His health thus became so 
seriously impaired that he never recovered any vigor 
of constitution. He graduated in 177 i, with a feeble 
body, with a character of utmost purity, and with a 
mind liighly disciplined and richly stored with learning 
which embellislied and gave proficiency to his subsf ' 
quent career. 

Returning to Virginia, he commenced the study of 
law and a course of extensive and systematic reading. 
This educational course, the spirit of the times in 
whicli he lived, and the society with which he asso- 
ciated, all combined to inspire him with a strong 
love of liberty, and to train him for his life-work ol 
a statesman. Being naturally of a religious turn of 
mind, and his frail health leading him to think that 
his life was not to be long, he directed es()ecial atten- 
tion to theological studies. F^ndowed with a mmd 
singularly free from passion and [irejudice, and with 
almost unequalled powers of reasoning, he weighed 
all the arguments for and against revealed religion, 
until his faith became so established as never to 
be shaken. 

In the spring of 1776, when 26 years of age, he 
was elected a member of the Virginia Convention, to 
frame the constitution of the State. The next year 
(1777), lie was a candidate for the General .\ssenibly. 
He refused to treat the whisky-lovir.g voters, and 
consequently lost his election ; but those who had 
witnessed the talent, energy and public sjurit of the 
modest young man, enlisted themselves in his behalf, 
and he was appointed to tlie Executive Council. 

Both Patrick Henry and Tliomas Jefferson were 
Governors of Virginia while Mr. Madison remained 
member of the Council ; and their appreciation of hi* 



3» 



JAMES MADISON: 



mtcllectual, social and moral worth, contributed not 
a little to his subsequent eminence. In the year 
1780, he was elected a member of the Continental 
Congress. Here he met the most illustrious men in 
our land, and he was immediately assigned to one of 
ihe most conspicuous positions among them. 

For three years Mr. Madison continued in Con- 
gress, one of its most active and influential members. 
In the year 17 84, his term having expired, he was 
elected a member of the Virginia Legislature. 

No man felt more deeply than Mr. Madison the 
utter inefficiency of the old confederacy, with no na- 
tional government, with no power to form treaties 
which would be binding, or to enforce law. There 
was not any State more prominent than Virginia in 
the declaration, that an efificient national government 
must be formed. In January, 1786, Mr. Madison 
carried a resolution through the General Assembly of 
Virginia, inviting the other States to appoint commis- 
sioners to meet in convention at Annapolis to discuss 
this subject. Five States only were represented. The 
convention, however, issued another call, drawn up 
by Mr. Madison, urgmg all the States to send their 
delegates to Philadelphia, in May, 1787, to draft 
a Constitution for the United States, to take the place 
of that Confederate League. The delegates met at 
•he time apixjinted. F,very State but Rhode Island 
vvas represented. George Washington was chosen 
president of the convention; and the present Consti- 
tution of the United States was tlien and there formed. 
There was, perhaps, no mind and no pen more ac- 
tive in framing this immortal document than the mind 
and the pen of James Madison. 

The Constitution, adopted liy a vote 81 to 79, was 
to be ])resented to the several States for acceptance. 
But grave solicitude was felt. Should it be rejected 
we should be left but a conglomeration of independent 
States, with but little [Mwer at home and little lespect 
abroad. Mr. Madison was selected by the conven- 
tion to draw up an address to the people of the United 
States, expounding the principles of the Constitution, 
and urging its adoption. There was great opposition 
to it at first, but it at length triumphed over all, and 
went into effect in 1789. 

Mr. Madison was elected to the House of Repre- 
sentatives in the first Congress, and soon became the 
avowed leader of the Republican party. While in 
New York attending Congress, he met Mrs Todd, a 
young widow of remarkable jxjwer of fascination, 
whom he married. She was in person and character 
queenly, and probably no lady has thus far occupied 
so prominent a |X)sition in the very peculiar society 
which has constituted our republican court as Mrs. 
Madison. 

Mr. Madison served as Secretary of State under 
Jefferson, and at the close of his administration 
was chosen President. At this time the encroach- 
ments of England had brought us to the verge of war. , 



British orders in council destioyed our commerce, and 
our flag was exposed to constant insult. Mr. Madison 
was a man of peace. Scholarly in his taste, retiring 
in his disix)sition, war had no charms for him. But the 
meekest spirit can be roused. It makes one's blood 
boil, even now, to think of an American ship brought 
to, upon the ocean, by tlie guns of an English cruiser. 
A young lieutenant steps on board and orders the 
crew to be paraded before him. With great nonchal- 
ance he selects any number whom he may please to 
designate as British subjects ; orders them down the 
ship's side into his boat; and places them on the gun- 
deck of his man-of-war, to fight, by compulsion, the 
battles of England. This right of search and im- 
pressment, no efforts of our Government could induce 
the British cabinet to relinquish. 

On the 1 8th of June, 18 12, President Madison gave 
his approval to an act of Congress declaring war 
against Great Britain. Notwithstanding the bitter 
hostility of the Federal party to the war, the country 
in general approved; and Mr. Madison, on tiie 4th 
of March, i8i3) was re-elected by a large majority, 
and entered uixin his second term of office. This is 
not the place to describe the various adventuras of 
this war on the land and on the water. Our infan 
navy then laid the foundations of its renown in grap- 
pling v.'ilh the most formidable power which ever 
swept the seas. The contest commenced in earnest 
by the appearance of a British fleet, early in February, 
i'8i3, in Chesapeake Bay, declaring nearly the whole 
coast of the United States under blockade. 

The Emperor of Russia offered his services as me 
ditator. America accepted ; England refused. A Brit- 
ish force of five thousand men landed on the banks 
of the Patuxet River, near its entrance into Chesa- 
peake Bay, and marched ra;>idly, by way of Bladens- 
burg, upon Washington. 

The straggling little city of Washington was thrown 
into consternation. The cannon of the brief conflict 
at Bladensburg echoed through the streets of the 
metropolis. The whole population fled from the city. 
The President, leaving Mrs. Madison in the White 
House, with her carriage drawn up at the doer to 
await his si)eedy return, hurried to meet the oflficers 
in a council of war He met our troops utterly routed, 
and he. could not go back without danger of being 
captured. But few hours elapsed ere the Prcsidenti.nf 
Mansion, the Capitol, and all the public buildings in 
Washington were in flames. 

The war closed after two years of fighting, and on 
Feb. 13, 18 15, the treaty of peace was signed at Ghent. 

On the 4th of March, 1817, his second term of 
office expired, and he resigned the Presidential chair 
to his friend, James Monroe. He retired to his beau- 
tiful home at Montpelier, and there passed the re- 
mainder of his days. On June 28, 1836, then at the 
age of 85 years, he fell asleep in death. Mrs. Madi- 
son died July 12, 1849. 




^rf^a^--/ ^- x-^ 7 /^- Z ^ ft ^ C^ 



FIFTH FRESJDENT. 



35 



"v 




/:\ XL-^f^ 



-«& 






PIIJES 11]0I)R0E. ^^ms 






-«& 






AMES MONROE, the fiftli 
.Presidentof The United States, 
was horn in Westmoreland Co., 
Va., April 28, 175CS. His early 
life was passed at the place of 
nativity. Hij ancestors had for 
many years resided in' the prov- 
ince ill which he was born. When, 
at 17 years of age, in the process 
of completing his education at 
William and Mary College, the Co- 
lonial Congress assembled at Phila- 
delphia to deliberate ujKin the un- 
just and manifold oppressions of 
(ireat Britian, declared the separa- 
tion of the Colonies, and promul- 
gated the Declaration of Indepen- 
dence. Mad he been born ten years before it is highly 
probable that he would have been one of the signers 
of that celebrated instrument. At this time he left 
school and enlisted among the patriots. 

He joined the army when everything looked hope- 
less and gloomy. The number of deserters increased 
from day to day. The invading armies came pouring 
in ; and the tones not only favored the cause of the 
mother country, but disheartened the new recruits, 
who were sufficiently terrified at the [)rospect of con- 
i;ndiiig with an enemy whom they had been taught 
to deem invincible. To such brave spirits as James 
Monroe, who went right onward, undismayed through 
ililTiculty and danger, the United States owe their 
political emancipation. The young cadet joined the 
lanks, and PS|K)Used the cause of his injured country, 
with a firm determination to live o. lie with her strife 



for liberty. Firmly yet sadly he shared in the mel- 
ancholy retreat from Harleam Heights and White 
Plains, and accompanied the dispirited army as it fled 
before its foes through New Jersey. In four months 
after the Declaration of Independence, the patriots 
had been beaten in seven battles. At the battle of 
Trenton he led the vanguard, and, in the act of charg- 
ing upon the enemy he received a wound in the left 
shoulder. 

As a reward for his bravery, Mr. Monroe was ]}ro-| 
moted a captain of infantry ; and, having recovered, 
from his wound, he rejoined the army. He, however, 
receded from the line of iJiomotion, by becoming an 
officer in the staff of Ix)rd Sterling. During the cam- 
paigns of 1777 and i77cS, in the actions of Brandy 
wine, Germantown and Monmouth, he continued 
aid-de-camp; but becoming desirous to regain his 
position in the army, he exerted himself to collect a 
regiment for the Virginia line. This scheme failed 
owing to the exhausted condition of the State. U[K)n 
this failure he entered the oftice of Mr. Jefferson, at 
that period Governor, and pursued, with considerable 
ardor, the study oi common law. He did not, however, 
entirely lay aside the knapsack for the green bag; 
but on the invasions of the enemy, served as a vohin 
teer, during the two years of his legal pursuits. 

In 17S2, he was elected from King George county, 
a member of the Leglislaiure of Virginia, and by that 
body he was elevated to a seat in the Executive 
Council. He was thus honored with the confidence^ 
of his fellow citizens at 23 years of age; and having 
at this early period displayed some of that ability 
and aptitude for legislation, which were afterwards 
employed with unremitting energy for the public good, 



36 



JAMES MONROE. 



he was in tlie succeeding year chosen a member of 
the Congress of the United States. 

DeeplyasMr. Monioefelt the imperfections of the old 
confederacy, he was opposed to tlie new Constitution, 
Thinking, with many others of 'he RepubUcan parly, 
that it gave too much power to the Central Government, 
and not enough to the individual States. Still he re- 
tained the esteem of his friends who were its warm 
supporters, and who, notwithstanding his opposition 
secured its adoption. In 1789, he l)ecanie a member 
of the United States Senate ; which office he held for 
four years. Every month the line of distinction lie- 
tween the two great parties wliich divided the nation, 
the Federal and the Republican, was growing more 
distinct. The two prominent ideas which now sep- 
arated them were, that the Republican party was in 
sympathy with France, and also in favor of such a 
strict construction of tlie Constitution as to give the 
Central Government as little ix)wer, and the State 
Governments as much [xswer, as the Constitution would 
warrant. The Federalists sympathized with England, 
and were in favor of a liberal construction of the Con- 
stitution, which would give as much power to the 
Central Government as that document could possibly 
authorize. 

The leading Federalists and Republicans were 
alike noble men, consecrating all their energies to the 
good of the nation. Two more honest men or more 
pure patriots than John Adams the Federalist, and 
Tames Monroe the. Republican, never breathed. In 
l)uilding up this majestic nation, which is destined 
to eclipse all Grecian and Assyrian greatness, the com- 
bination of their antagonism was needed to create the 
light eiiuilibritmi. And yet each in his day was de- 
nounced as almost a demon. 

Washington was then President. England had es- 
poused the cause of the Bourbons against the princi- 
ples of the French Revolution. All Europe was drawn 
into the conflict. We were feeble and far away. 
Washington issued a proclamation of neutrality be- 
tween these contending powers. France had helped 
us in the struggle for our liberties. All the despotisms 
of Euroi)e were now combined to prevent the French 
from escaping from a tyranny a thousand-fold worse 
than that which we had endured Col. Monroe, more 
magnanimous than prudent, was anxious that, at 
whatever hazard, we should help our old allies in 
their extremity. It was the impulse of a generous 
and noble nature. He violently opposed the Pres- 
ident's proclamation as ungrateful and wanting in 
magnanimity. 

Washington, who could appreciate such a character, 
developed his calm, serene, almost divine greatness, 
by appointing that very James Monroe, who was de- 
nouncing the policy of the Government, as the minister 
of that Government to 'he Republic of France. Mr. 
Monroe was welcomed by the National Convention 
in France witn the most enthusiastic demonstrMions. 



Shortly after his return to this countrv, Mr. Mon- 
roe was elected (Jovernor of Virginia, and held the 
office lor three yeais. He was again sent to Prance tu 
co-operate with Chancellor Livingston in obtaining 
the vast territory then known as the Province of 
Louisiana, which France had but shortly before ob- 
tained from Sjjain. Their united efforts were suc- 
cessful. For the comparatively small sum of fifteen 
millions of dollars, the entire territory of Orleans and 
district of Louisiana were added to the United States. 
Thi-. was probably the largest transfer of real estate 
wliich was ever made in all the history of the world. 

From France Mr. Monroe went to England to ob- 
tain from that country some recognition of oui 
rights as neiUrals, and to remonstrate against those 
odious impressments of our seamen. but Eng- 
land was unrelenting. He again returned to Eng- 
land on the same mission, but could receive no 
redress. He returned to his home and was again 
chosen Governor of Virginia. This he soon resigned 
to accept the position of Secretary of State under 
Madison. While in this office war with England was 
declared, the Secretary of War resigned, and during 
these trying times, the duties of the War Departmeiv, 
were also put upon him. He was truly the armor- 
bearer of President Madison, and the most efficient 
business man in his cabinet. Upon the return of 
peace he resigned the Department of War, but con- 
tinued in the office of Secretary of State until the ex- 
piration of Mr. Madison's adniinstration. At the elec- 
tion held the previous autumn Mr. Monroe himself had 
been chosen President with but little opposition, and 
upon March 4, 1817, was inaugurated. Four years 
later he was elected for a second term. 

Among the important measures of his Presidency 
were the cession of Florida to the United States; the 
Missouri Compromise, and the " Monroe doctrine.' 

This famous doctrine, since known as the " Monroe 
doctrine," was enunciated by him in 1823. At that 
time the United States had recognized the independ- 
ence of the South American states, and did not wish 
to have European powers longer attempting to sub 
due portions of the American Continent. The doctrine 
is as follows: "That we should consider any attempt 
on the part of European powers to extend their sys- 
tem to any ])ortion of this hemisphere as dangerous 
to our peace and safety," and "that we could not 
view any interposition for the pur|X)se of oppressing 
or controlling American governments or provinces in 
any other light than as a manifestation by Europear. 
powers of an unfriendly dis]X)sition toward the United 
States." This doctrine immediately affected the course 
of foreign governments, and has become the approved 
sentiment of the United States. 

At the end of his f econd term Mr Monroe retired 
to his home in Virginia, where he lived uniil 1830 
when he went to New York to live with his son-in- 
law. In that city he died, on the 4th of J\dy 1831 




3. ^t 



fiv^vJ 



SIXTH PRESIDE NT. 








^^^VS^^^^ 




OHN QUINCY ADAMS, the 
sixth President of the United 
'States, was born in tlie rural 
liome of his honored father, 
John Adams, in Qaincy, Mass., 
on the 1 ith cf July, 1767. His 
mother, a woman of exalted 
worth, watched overliis childhood 
during the almost constant ab- 
sence of his father. When but 
eight years of age, he stood with 
his mother on an eminence, listen- 
ing to the booming of the great bat- 
tle on Bunker's Hill, and gazing on 
upon the smoke and flames billow- 
ing u|) from the conflagration of 
Charlestown. 

When but eleven years old he 
took a tearful adieu of his mother, 
to sail with his fatner for Europe, 
tSrough a fleet ot hostile British cruisers. The bright, 
animated boy spent a year and a half in Paris, where 
his father was associated with Franklin and Lee as 
mmister plenipotentiary. His intelligence attracted 
ihe notice of these distinguished men, and he received 
from them flattering marks of attention. 

Mr. John Adams had scarcely returned to this 
cou.'.try, in 1779, ere he was again sent abroad. Again 
•oI.il fjuincy accompanied his father. At Paris he 
applied himself with great diligence, for six months, 
to .■.fudy; then accompained his father to Holland, 
v/here he entered, first a school in .\msterdam, then 
the University at I.eyden. Al)out a year from this 
time, in 178 1, when the manly boy was but fourteeTi 
yea's of age, he was selected l)y Mr. Dana, our min- 
ister to the Russian court, as his private secretary. 

In this school of incessant labor and of enobling 
rulture he spent fourteen months, and then returned 
10 Holland through Sweden, Denmark, Hamburg and 
Bremen. This long journey he took alone, in the 
winter, when in his sixteenth year. Again he resumed 
ms studies, under a pri"ate tutor, at Hague. Thence, 



in the spring of 1782, he accompanied his father v: 
Paris, traveling leisurely, and forming acquaintanct 
with the most distinguished men on the Continent 
examining arctiitectural remains, galleries of | .lintings 
and all renowned works of art. At Paris he agaii, 
became associated with the most illustrious men of 
all lands in the contemplations of the loftiest lomiX)ral 
themes which can engross the human mind. Afte" 
a short visit to England he returned to Paris, ana 
consecrated all his energies to study until May, 1785, 
when he returned to America. To a brilliant young 
man of eighteen, who had seen much of the world, 
and who was familiar with the etifjuette of courts, a 
residence with his father in London, under such cir- 
cumstances, must have been extremely attractive 
but with judgment very rare in one of his age, he pre- 
ferred to return to America to complete his education 
in an American college. He wished then to study 
law, that with an honorable jirofession, he might be 
able to obtain an independent supi^rt. 

Ujjon leaving Harvard College, at the age of twenty 
he studied law for three years. In June, :794, be- 
ing then but twenty-seven years of age, he was ap- 
IKiinted by Washington, resident minister at the 
Netherlands. Sailing from Boston in July, he reacheo 
I-Xjndon in October, where he was immediately admit- 
ted to the deliberations of Messrs. Jay and Pinckncy 
assisting them in negotiating a commercial treaty with 
Gieat Britian. After thus spending a fortnight i. 
London, he proceeded to the Hague. 

In July, 1797, he left the Hague logo to Portugal in 
minister iilenipotentiary. On his way to Portugal. 
uix)n arriving in London, he met with despatches 
directing him to the court of Beiiin, but requestiiif; 
him to remain in London until he shuuld receive his 
instructions. While writing he was niairied to ar. 
American lady to whom he had been previously en- 
gaged, — Miss Louisa Catherine Johnson, daughtei 
of Mr. Joshua Johnson, American con.^ul in I ondon 
a lady cndownd with that beauty and those acconv 
plishment which eminently fitted her to move in tiiC 
elevated sphere for which she was ^««'ined. 



«0 



JOHN QUINCY ADAMS. 



He reached Berlin with his wife in November, 1797 ; 
where he remained until July, 1799, when, having ful- 
filled all the piir[X)ses of his mission, he solicited his 
recall. 

Soon after his return, in 1802, he was chosen to 
the Senate of Massachusetts, from Boston, and then 
was elected Senator of the United States for six years, 
from the 4th of March, 1804. His reputation, his 
aljility and his experience, placed him immediately 
among the most prominent and influential members 
of that body. Especially did he sustain the Govern- 
ment in its measures of resistance to tlie encroach- 
ments of England, destroying our commerce and in- 
sulting our flag. There was no man in America more 
familiar with the arrogance of the British court upon 
these points, and no one more resolved to present 
a firm resistance. 

In 1809, Madison succeeded Jefferson in the Pres- 
idential chair, and he immediately nominated John 
Qiiincy Adams minister to St. PetersDurg. Resign- 
ing his professorship in Harvard College, he embarked 
at Boston, in August, 1809. 

While in Russia, Mr. Adams was an intense stu- 
dent. He devoted his attention to the language and 
history of Russia; to the Chinese trade; to the 
European system of weights, measures, and coins ; to 
the climate and astronomical observations ; wliile he 
Kept up a familiar acquaintance with the Greek and 
Latin classics. In all the universities of Europe, a 
more accomplished scholar could scarcely be found. 
All through life the Bible constituted an importar.t 
part of his studies. It was his rule to read five 
chapters every day. 

On the 4th of March, 1817, Mr. Monroe took the 
Presidential chair, and immediately appointed Mr. 
Adams Secretary of State. Taking leave of liis num- 
erous friends in public and private life in Europe, he 
sailed in June, 1819, for the United States. On the 
i8th of August, he again crossed the threshold of his 
home in Quincy. During the eight years of Mr. Mon- 
roe's administration, Mr, Adams continued Secretary 
of State. 

Some time before Lhe close of Mr. Monroe's second 
term of oltice, new candidates began to be presented 
for the Presidency. The friends of Mr. .Adams brought 
forward his name. It was an exciting campaign. 
Party spirit was never more bitter. Two himdred and 
sixty electoral votes were cast. Andrew Jackson re- 
ceived ninety-nine; John Quincy Adams, eighty-four; 
William H. Crawford, forty-one; Henry Clay, thirty- 
seven. As there was no choice by the people, the 
-juestion went to the House of Re|jresentatives. Mr. 
Clay gave the vote of Kentucky to Mr. Adams, and 
he was elected. 

The friends of all the disappointed candidates now 
-.ombined in a venomous and persistent assault upon 
Mr. Adams. There is nothing more disgraceful in 
•V»« oast history of our country than the abuse which 



was poured in one uninterrupted stream, upon this 
high-minded, upright, patriotic man. There never was 
an administration more pure in principles, more con- 
scientiously devoted to the best interests of tlie coun- 
try, than that of John Quincy Adams ; and never, per- 
haps, was there an administration more unscrupu- 
lously and outrageously assailed. 

Mr. Adams was, to a very remarkable degree, ab- 
stemious and temperate in his habits; always rising 
early, and taking much exercise. When at his hcmein 
Quincy, he lias been known to walk, before breakfast, 
seven miles to Boston. In Washington, it was said 
that he was the first man up in the city, lighting his 
own fire and applying himself to work in his library 
often long before dawn. 

On the 4th of March, 1829, Mr. Adams retired 
from the Presidency, and was succeeded by Andrew 
Jackson. John C. Calhoun was elected Vice Presi- 
dent. The slavery question now began to assume 
[X)rlentous magnitude. Mr. .Adams returned to 
Quincy and to his studies, which he pursued with un- 
abated zeal. But he was not long permitted to re- 
main in retirement. In November, 1830, he was 
elected representative to Congress. For seventeen 
years, until his death, he occupied the post as repre- 
sentative, towering above all his peers, ever ready to 
do brave battle' for freedom, and winning the title of 
"the old man eloquent." Upon takmg his seat in 
the House, he announced that he should hold him- 
self bound to no party. Probably there never was a 
member more devoted to his duties. He was usually 
the first in his place in the morning, and the last to 
leave his seat in the evening. Not a measure could 
be brought forward and escape his scrutiny. 'I he 
battle which Mr. Adams fought, almost singly, against 
the proslavery party in the Government, was sublime 
in Its moral dating and heroism. For persisting in 
presenting petitions for the abolition of slavery, he 
was threatened with indictment by the grand jury 
with expulsion from the House, with assassination 
but no threats could intimidate him, and his final 
triumph was complete. 

It has been said of President Adams, that when his 
body was bent and his hair silvered by the lapse of 
fourscore years, yielding to the sim|)le faith of a little 
child, he was accustomed to repeat every night, before 
he slept, the prayer which his mother taught him in 
his infant years. 

On the 2 1 St of February, 1848, he rose on the floor 
of Congress, with a ])aper in his hand, to address the 
speaker. Suddenly he fell, again stricken by parnly 
sis, and was caught in the arms of those aiound liim 
For a time he was senseless, as he was conveyed lo 
the sofa in the rotunda. With reviving conscious- 
ness, he opened his eyes, kx)ked calmly around ai _d 
said " This is the tm/of earth ."then after a moment's 
pause he added, '' I am eonteiit" These were the 
last words of the grand "Old Man Eloquent." 










:^% 




<^^-^/z^^ ^<. <^ WJ^^^ 




■-Z-- 



SEVENTH PRESIDENT. 



OF^(S?-voiaJ'(Si@*SS.Mii«S.; 










"%■ 



^;f^ 




NDREW JACKSON, the 
seventh President of the 
' United States, was bom in 
Waxhaw settlement, N. C, 
March 15, 1767, a few days 
after his father's death. His 
parents were jxxir emigrants 
from Ireland, and took u[) 
their abode in Waxhaw set- 
tlement, where they lived in 
deepest poverty. 
Andrew, or Andy, as ho was 
universally called, grew up a very 
rough, rude, turbulent boy. His 
features were coarse, his form un- 
gainly; and there was but very 
little in his character, made visible, which was at- 
tiaciive. 

When only thirteen years old he joined the volun- 
teers of Carolina against the British invasion. In 
1781, he and his brother Robert were captured and 
imi)risoned for a time at Camden. A British officer 
ordered him to brush his mud-spattered boots. " I am 
a jjrisoner of war, not your servant," was the reply of 
the dauntless boy. 

The brute drew his sword, and aimed a desperate 
Dlow at the head of the helpless young jjrisoner. 
Andrew raised his hand, and thus received two fear- 
ful gashes, — one on the hand and the other uiwn the 
heatl. The officer then turned to his brother Robert 
with the same demand. He also refused, and re- 
ceived a blow from the keen-edged sabre, which ipiite 
disabled him, and which probably soon after caused 
his death. They suffered much other ill-treatment, and 
were finally stricken with the small-ix)x. Their 
mother was successful «< iibtaining their exchange, 



and took her sick boys home. After a long illn.Si 
Andrew recovered, and the death of his mother soon 
left him entirely friendless. 

Andrew supix)rted himself in various ways, sichas 
working at the saddler's trade, teaching school and 
clerking in a general store, until 1784, when he 
entered a law office at Salisbury, N. C. He, however, 
gave more attention to the wild amusements of tlie 
times than to his studies. In 1788, he was ai)ix)inteJ 
solicitor for the western district of North Carolina, 01 
which Tennessee was then a part. This involved 
many long and tedious journeys amid dangers of 
every kind, but Andrew Jackson never knew fear 
and the Indians had no desire to repeat a skirmish 
witn the Sharp Knife. 

In 1791, Mr. Jackson was married to a woman who 
supposed herself divorced from her former husbat^d. 
Great was the sar[)rise of both parties, two years later, 
to find that the conditionsof the divorce had just been 
definitely settled liy the first husband. The marriage 
ceremony was performed a second time, but the occur- 
rence was often used liy his enemies to bring Mr. 
Jackson into disfavor. 

During these years he worked hard at his profes 
sion, and freipiently had one or more duels on hand, 
one of which, when he killed Dickenson, was esi)ec- 
ially disgraceful. 

In January, 1796, the Territory of Tennessee then 
containing nearly eighty thousand inhabitaf.ts, the 
people met in convention at Knoxville to frame a con- 
stitution. Five were sent from each of the elev.i. 
counties. Andrew Jackson was one of the delegare^.' 
The new State was entitled to but one member iu 
the Natio.ial House of Representatives. .Andre* JacV- 
son was chosen that member. Mounting his horse he 
rode to Philedelphia, where Congress then 1 eld its 



44 



ANDRE IV JACKSON. 



sessions, — a distance of about eight hundred miles. 

Jackson was an earnest advocate of the Demo- 
cratic pxrty. Jefferson was his idol. He admired 
Bonaparte, loved France and hated England. As Mr. 
Jackson took his seat, Gen. Washington, whose 
second term of office was then expiring, delivered his 
last speech to Congress. A committee drew up a 
complimentary address in reply. Andrew Jackson 
did not approve of tlie address, and was one of the 
twelve who voted against it. He was not willing to 
say that Gen. Washington's adminstration had been 
" wise, firm and patriotic." 

Mr. Jackson was elected to the United States 
Senate in 1797, but soon resigned and returned home. 
Soon after he was chosen Judge of the Suprenie Court 
of his State, which position he held fjr six years. 

When the war of 1812 with Great Britian com- 
menced, Madison occupied the Presidential chair. 
Aaron Bnrr sent word to the President that there was 
an unknown man in the West, Andrew Jackson, who 
would do credit to a commission if one were con- 
ferred u[X)n him. Just at that time (jen. Jackson 
ofiTered his services and those of twenty-five hundred 
volunteers. His offer was accepted, and the troo|)s 
were assembled at Nashville. 

As the British were hourly expected to make an at- 
tack v.pon New Orleans, where Gen Wilkinson was 
in command, he was ordered to descend the river 
with fifteen hundred troops to aid Wilkinson. The 
Expedition reached Natchez; and after a delay of sev- 
eral weeks there, without accom|)lishing anything, 
the men were ordered back to their homes. But the 
energy Gen. Jackson had displayed, and his entire 
devotion to the comrfort of his soldiers, won him 
golden oinnioiis; and he became the most popular 
man in the State. It was in this expedition that his 
toughness gave him the nickname of " Old Hickory." 

Soon after this, while attempting to horsewhip Col. 
Thomas H. Benton, for a remark that gentleman 
made about his taking a part as second in a duel, in 
which a younger brother of Benton's was engaged, 
he received two severe pistol wounds. While he was 
iingering mmn a bed of suffering news came that the 
Indians, who had combined under Tecumseh from 
Florida to the Lakes, to extemiinate the white set- 
tlers, were committing the most awful ravages. De- 
cisive action became necessary. Gen. Jackson, with 
his fractured bone just beginning to heal, his arm in 
a sling, and unable to mount his horse without assis- 
(ance, gave his amazing energies to the raising of an 
army to rendezvous at Fayettesvillc, .Mabama. 

The Creek Indians had established a strong fort on 
une of the bendsof theTallaooosa River, near the cen- 
ter of Alabama, about fifty miles below Fort Strother. 
With an army of two thousand men. Gen. Jackson 
traversed the pathless wilderness in a march of eleven 
days. He reached their fort, called Tohopeka or 
Horse-shoe, on t'le 27th of March. 1814. The bend 



of the river enclosed nearly one hundred acres oi 
tangled forest and wild ravine. Across the narrow- 
neck the Indians had constructed a formidable brea.'^l- 
work ot logs and brush. Here nine hundred warriors, 
with an ample suplyof arms were assembled. 

The fort was stormed. The fight was utterly des- 
perate. Not an Indian would accept of quarter. When 
bleeding and dying, they would fight those who en- 
deavored to spare their lives. From ten in the morn- 
ing until dark, the battle raged. The carnage was 
awful and revolting. Some threw themselves into the 
river; but the unerring bullet struck their heads as 
they swam. Nearly everyone of the nine hundred war- 
rios were killed A few probably, in the night, swam 
the river and escaped. This ended the war. The 
[jower of the Creeks was broken forever. This bold 
plunge into the wilderness, with its terrifific slaughter, 
so appalled the savages, that the haggard remnants 
of the bands came to the camp, begging for peace. 

This closing of the Creek war enabled us to con- 
centrate all our militia upon the British, who were the 
allies of the Indians No man of less resolute will 
than Gen. Jackson could have conducted this Indian 
campaign to so successful an issue Immediately he 
was appointed major-general. 

Late in August, with an army of two thousand 
men, on a rushing march. Gen. Jackson came to 
Mobile. A British fleet came from Pensacola, landed 
a force upon the beach, anchored near the little fort, 
and from both ship and shore commenced a furious 
assault The battle was long and doubtful. .At length 
one of the ships was blown up and the rest retired. 

Garrisoning Mobile, where he had taken his little 
army, he moved his troops to New Orleans, 
And the battle of New Orleans which soon ensued, 
was in reality a very arduous campaign. This won 
for(ien. Jackson an imperishable name. Here his 
troops, which numbered about four thousand men, 
won a signal victory over the British army of about 
nine thousand. His loss was but thirteen, while the 
loss of the British was two thousand six hundred. 

The name of Gen. Jackson soon began to be men- 
tioned in connection with the Presidency, but, in 1824, 
he was defeated by Mr. Adams. He was, however, 
successful in the election of 1S28, and was re-elected 
for a second term in 1S32. In 1829, just before he 
assumed the reins of the government, he met with 
the most terrible affliction of his life in the death of 
his wife, whom he had loved with a devotion which has 
perhaps never been surpassed. From the shock of 
her death he never recovered. 

His administration was one of the most i^icnicrabie 
in the annals of our country; applauded' oyone party, 
condemned by the other. No man had more bitter 
enemies or warmer friends. At the expiration of his 
two terms of office he retired to the Hermitage, where 
he died June 8, 1S45. The last years of Mr. Jack- ' 
son's life were that of a devoted t'hristian man. 




9 



/■ 7 2-^'^-^^k ^'-L^/j ei^^i^C^ 



t^^ 



EIGHTH PRESIDENT. 











iggf 



ARTIN VAN BUREN, the 
cif^hth President of the 
United States, was born at 
Kinderhook, N. V'., Dec. 5, 
1782. He died at the same 
place, July 24, 1862. His 
body rests in tiie cemetery 
at Kinderhook. Above it is 
a plain granite shaft fifteen feet 
high, bearing a simple inscription 
about half way up on one face. 
The lot is unfenced, unbordered 
or unbounded by shrub or flower. 

There »- imt ilttle in the life of Martin Van Huren 
zl romanc c interest. He fought no battles, engaged 
in no wild adventures. Though his life was stormy in 
political and intellectual conflicts, and he gained many 
signal victories, his days passed uneventful in those 
incidents which give zest to biography. His an- 
cestors, as his name indicates, were of Dutch origin, 
and were among the earliest emigrants from Holland 
to tiie banks of the Hudson. His father was a farmer, 
residing in the old town of Kinderhook. His mother, 
also of Dutch lineage, was a woman of superior intel- 
ligence and exemplary piety. 

.le was decidedly a precocious boy, developing un- 
usual activity, vigor and strength of mind. At the 
age of fourteen, he had finished his academic studies 
.n his native village, and commenced the study of 
law. As he had not a collegiate education, seven 
years of study in a law-office were reijiiired of him 
ijefore he could be admitted to the bar. Ins))ired with 
d. lofty ambition, and conscious of his powers, he pur- 
sued his studies with indefatigable industry. After 
spending six years in an office in his native village. 



he went to the city of Mew York, and prosecuted his 
studies for the seventh year. 

In 1803, Mr. Van Buren, then twenty-one years ol 
age, commenced the practice of law in his native vi|. 
lage. The great conflict between the I'ederal and 
Republican party was then at its height. Mr. Van 
Buren was from the beginning a i)olitician. He had, 
perhaps, imbibed that spirit while listening to the 
many discussions which had been carried on in his 
father's hotel. He was in cordial sympathy with, 
Jefferson, and earnestly and eloquently esi>oused tl-.- 
cause of State Rights; though at tlial lime the l-'ec'- 
eral party held the supremacy both in his tow i 
and State. 

His success and increasing ruputation led him 
after six years of practice, to remove to Hudson, th. 
county seat of his county. Here he sjjent seven year-, 
constantly gaining strength by contending in Iht. 
courts with some of the ablest men who have adurneil 
the bar of his State. 

Just before leaving Kinderhook for Hudson, Mi. 
Van Buren married a lady alike distinguished foi 
beauty and accomplishments. After twelve shoa 
years she sank into the grave, the victim of consuu'i). 
tion, leaving her husband and four sons to wee)) ovei 
iier loss. For twenty-five years, Mr. Van Buren wa;- 
an earnest, successful, assiduous lawyer. The recoro 
of those years is barren in items of i)ublic interest. 
In iSi 2, when thirty years of age, he was chosen to 
the State Senate, and gave his strenuous j-upport to 
Mr. Madison's adniinstration. In 1815, he was ap- 
pointed .Attorney-General, and the next year moved 
to Albany, the cai)ilal of the Stale. 

'A'hile he was ackno\\'ledged as one of the mo<; 
p. ominenl leaders of the Democratic party, he had 



48 



MARTIN VAN BVREN. 



the moral courage to avow that true democracy did 
not require that " universal suffrage " which admits 
the vile, the degraded, the ignorant, to the right of 
governing the State. In true consistency with his 
democratic principles, he contended that, while the 
path leading to the privilege of voting should be open 
to every man without distinction, no one should be 
invested with that sacred prerogative, unless he were 
in some degree qualified for it by intelligence, virtue 
and some property interests in the welfare of the 
?;tate. 

In 182 I he was elected :, member of the United 
States Senate; and in the same year, he took a seat 
in the convention to revise the constitution of his 
native State. His course in this convention secured 
the approval of men of all parties. No one could 
doubt the singleness of his endeavors to promote the 
interests of all classes in the community. In the 
Senate of the United States, he rose at once to a 
":onsi)icuous position as anactive and useful legislator. 

In 1827, John Quincy Adams beirg then in the 
Presidential chair, Mr. Van Buren was re-elected to 
>he Senate. He had been from the beginning a de- 
ermiiied opposer of the Administration, adopting the 
, 'State Rights" view in opposition to what was 
ieemed the Federal proclivities of Mr. Adams. 

Soon after this, in 1828, he was chosen Governorof 
the Stale of New York, and accordingly resigned his 
"seat in the Senate. Probably no one in the United 
>tates contributed so much towards ejecting John Q. 
Adams from the Presidential chair, and placing in it 
Andrew Jackson, as did Martin Van Buren. Whether 
entitled to the reputation or not, he certainly was re- 
garded througiiout the United States as one of the 
most skillful, sagacious and cunning of jwliticians. 
It was supjwsed that no one knew so well as he how 
!o touch the secret spiings of action; how to pull all 
the wires to put his machinery in motion; and how to 
organize a ix)litical army which would, secreily and 
ste.-'Uhily accom[)lish the most gigantic results. By 
these [jowers it is said that he outv/itted Mr. Adams, 
.Mr. Clay, Mr. Webster, and secured results which 
few thought then could be accomplished. 

Whe)i .\ndrew Jackson was elected President he 
apixjinted .Mr. Van Buren Secretary of Stale. This 
lx)sition he resigned in 183 1, and was immediately 
appointed Minister to Eng'and, where he went the 
same autumn. The Senate, however, when it met, 
refused to ratify the nomination, and he returned 



home, apparently untroubled; was nominated Vice 
President in the place of Calhoun, at the re-elect on 
of President Jackson; and with smiles for all and 
fiowns for none, he took his place at the head of thai 
Senate which hdd refused to confirm his nomii,at;on 
as ambassador. 

His rejection by the Senate roused all the zeal of 
President Jackson in behalf of his repudiated favor- 
ite; and this, probably more than any other cause, 
secured his elevation to the chair of the Chief E::ecu 
tive. On the 20th of May, 1836, Mr. Van Buren re- 
ceived the Democratic nomination to succeed Gen. 
Jackson as President of the United States He was 
elected by a handsome majority, to the delight of the 
retiring President. " Leaving New York out of the 
canvass," says Mr. Parton, "the election of Mr. Van 
Buren to the Presidency was as much the act of Gen. 
Jackson as though the Constitution h;;d conferred 
uix)n him the power to a|)|)oint a successor." 

His administration was filled with exciting events 
The insurrection in Canada, which threatened 10 in ■ 
volve this country in war with England, the agitation 
of the slavery (piestion, and finally the great commer- 
cial panic which spread over the country, all were 
trials to his wisdom. The financial distress was at- 
tributed to the management of the Democratic party, 
and brought the President into such disfavor that he 
failed of reelection. 

With the exception of being nominated for the 
Presidency by the "Free Soil" Democrats, in 1848, 
Mr. Van Buren lived quietly upon his estate until 
his death. 

He had ever been a prudent man, of frugal habits, 
and living within his income, had now fortunately a 
competence for his declining years. His unblemished 
character, his commanding abilities, his unqviestioned 
])atriotism, ard the distinguished positions which he 
had occupied in the government of our country, se- 
cured to him not only the homage of his party, but 
the respect ot the whole community. It was on the 
4th of March, 184 1, that Mr. Van Buren retired from 
the presidency. From his fine estate at Lindenwald. 
he still exerted a powerful influence uix)n the politics 
of the country. From this time until his death, on 
the 24th of July, 1862, at the age of eighty years, he 
resided at Lindenwald, a gentleman of leisure, of 
culture and of wealth; enjoyirg in a healthy old 
age, probably far more hapj)iiiess than he had before 
exijerienced amid the stormy scenes ol hi? active life- 




/Cc^. M /%S-'Z-7,'t^T'U^ 



NINTH PRESIDENT. 



V 





^M^ m^^m^ 





m 



ILLIAM HENRY HARRI- 
SON, the ninth President of 
the United States, was born 
at Berkeley, N'a., Feb. 9, 1773. 
^"i His father, Benjamin Harri- 
son, was in comparatively op- 
ulent circumstances, and was 
one of the most distinguished 
men of his day. He was an 
intimate friend of George 
Washington, w as early elected 
a member of the Continental 
Congress, and was conspicuous 
among the patriots of Virginia in 
resisting the encroachments of the 
British crown. In the celebrated 
Congress of 1775, Benjamin Har- 
rison and John Hancock were 
both candidates for the office of 
si)eaker. 

Mr Harrison was subsequently 
chosen Governor of Virginia, and 
was twice re-elected. His son, 
i William Henry, of course enjoyed 

in childhood all the advantages which wealth and 
intellectual and cultivated society could give. Hav- 
ing received a thorough common-school education, he 
entered Hampden Sidney College, where he graduated 
with honor soor. nfter the death of his father. He 
oien repaired to Philadelphia to study medicine under 
the instructions of Dr. Rush and the guardianship of 
Robert Morris, both of whom were, with his father, 
ligners of the Declaration of Independence. 

JlK)n tlie outbreak of the Indian troubles, and not- 
withstanding the 'e monstrances of his friends, he 
joandoncd his medical studies and entered the army, 
.laving obtai""'' a commission of Ensign from Presi- 



\ 



dent Washington. He was then but 19 yer.rs old 
From that time he passed gradually upward in rank 
until he became aid to General Wayne, after whose 
death he resigned his commission. He was then ap- 
pointed Secretary of the Nortli-western Territory. This 
Territory was then entitled to but one member in 
Congress and Capt. Harrison was chosen to fill that 
jjosition. 

In the spring of 1800 the North-western Territory 
was divided by Congress into two portions. The 
eastern portion, comprising the region now embraced 
in the State of Ohio, was called '" The Territory 
north-west of the Ohio." The western portion, which 
included what is now called Indiana, Illinois and 
Wisconsin, was called the "Indiana Territory." Wil . 
liam Henry Harrison, then 27 years of age, was ap 
jx)inted by John Adams, Governor of the Indiana 
Territory, and immediately after, also Governor of 
Upper Louisiana. He was thus ruler over almost as 
extensive a realm as any sovereign upon the globe. He 
was Superintendent of Indian Affairs, and was in- 
vested with lowers nearly dictatorial over the now 
rapidly increasing white population. The ability and 
fidelity with which he discharged these responsible 
duties may be inferred from the fact that he was four 
times apjxjinted to this office — first by John Adams, 
twice by Thomas Jefferson and afterwards by Presi. 
dent Madison. 

When he began his adminsf ration there were but 
three white settlementsin that almost boundless region, 
now crowded with cities and resounding with all the 
tumult of wealth and traffic. One of these settlements 
was on the Ohio, nearly opjwsite Louisville; one at 
Vincennes, on the Wabash, and the third a French 
settlement. 

The vast wilderness over which Gov. Harrisoij 
reigned was filled with many tribes of Indians. Aboii> 



5 = 



WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON. 



the year 1806, two extraordinary men, twin brothers, 
of the Shawnese tribe, rose among them. One of 
these was called Tecamseh, or "The Crouching 
P iniher;" the other, Olliwacheca, or " The Prophet." 
I'ecuniseh was not only an Indian warrior, but a man 
of great sagacity, far-reaching foresight and indomit- 
able perseverance in any enterprise m which he might 
engage. He was inspired with the highest enthusiasm, 
and had long regarded with dread and with hatred 
the encroachment of the whites upon the hunting- 
grounds of his fathers. His brother, the Prophet, was 
anorator, who could sway the feelings of the untutored 
Indian as the gale tossed the tree-tops beneath which 
tliey dwelt. 

But the Prophet was not merely an orator: he was, 
in the superstitious minds of the Indians, invested 
with the superhuman dignity of a medicine-man or a 
magician. With an enthusiasni unsurpassed by Peter 
the Hermit rousing Europe to tlie crusades, he went 
from tribe to tribe, assuming that he was specially sent 
by the Great Spirit. 

Gov. Harrison made many attempts to conciliate 
the Indians, l)ut at last the war came, and at Tippe- 
canoe the Indians were routed with great slaughter. 
October 28, 1812, his army began its march-. When 
near the Prophet's town three Indians of rank made 
their appearance and inquired why Gov. Harrison was 
approaching them in so hostile an attitude. After a 
short conference, arrangements were made for a meet- 
ing the next day, to agree upon terms of peace. 

Hut Gov. Harrison was too well acquainted with 
the Indian character to be deceived by such protes- 
tations. Selecting a favorable spot for his night's en- 
cam[)ment, he took every precaution against surprise. 
His troops were jwsted in a hollow square, and slept 
upon their arms. 

The trooi)s threw themselves upon the ground for 
rest; but every man had his accourtrements on, his 
loaded musket by his side, and his bayonet fixed. The 
wakeful Governor, between three and four o'clock in 
tlie morning, had risen, and was sitting in conversa- 
tion with his aids by the embers of a waning fire. It 
was a chill, cloudy morning with a drizzling rain. In 
the darkness, the Indians had crept as near as possi- 
ble, and just then, with a savage yell, rushed, with all 
the desperation wliich superstition and passion most 
highly inflamed could give, upon the left flank of the 
little army. The savages had been amply provided 
with guns and ammunition by the English. Their 
war-whooi) was accompained by a shower of bullets. 

The camp-fires were instantly extinguished, as the 
light aided the Indians in their aim. With hide- 
pus yells, the Indian bands rushed on, not doubting a 
speedy and an entire victory. But Gen. Harrison's 
irooi^s stood as immovable as the rocks around them 
until day dawned : they then made a simultaneous 
charge with the bayonet, and swept every thing be- 
fore them, and completely routing the foe, 



Gov. Harrison now had all his energies tasked 
to the utmost. The British descending from the Can ■ 
adas, were of themselves a very formidable force ; but 
with their savage allies, rushing like wolves from the 
forest, searching out every remote farm-house, burn- 
ing, plundering, scalping, torturing, the wide frontier 
was plunged into a state of consternation which even 
the most vivid imagination can but faintly conceive. 
The war-whoop was resounding everywhere in the 
forest. The horizon was illuminated with the conflagra- 
tion of the cabins of the settlers. Gen Hull had made 
the ignominious surrender of his forces at Detroit. 
Under these despairing circumstances, Gov. Harrison 
was appointed Ijy President Madison commander-in- 
chief of the North-western army, with orders to retake 
Detroit, and to protect the frontiers. 

It would be difficult to place a man in a situation 
demanding more energy, sagacity and courage; but 
General Harrison was found equal to the position, 
and nobly and triumphantly did he meet all the re- 
sponsibilities. 

He won the love of his soldiers by always sharing 
with them their fatigue. His whole baggage, while 
pursuing the foe up the Thames, was carried in a 
valise ; and his bedding consisted of a single blanket 
lashed over his saddle. Thirty-five British officers, 
his prisoners of war, supped with him after the battle. 
The only fare he could give them was beef roasted 
before the fire, without bread or salt. 

In i8t6, (Jen. Harrison was chosen a member of 
the National House of Representatives, to represent 
the District of Ohio. In Congress he proved an 
active member; and whenever he spoke, it was with 
force of reason and power of eloquence, which arrested 
the attention of all the members. 

In iSrt), Harrison was elected to the Senate of 
Ohio; and in 1824, as one of the presidential electors 
of that State, he gave his vote for Henry Clay. The 
same year he was chosen to the L'nited States Senate. 

In 1836, the friends of Gen. Harrison brought hiin 
forward as a candidate for the Presidency againsi 
Van Buren, but he was defeated. At the close of 
Mr. Van Buren's term, he was re -nominated by his 
party, and Mr. Harrison was unanimously nominated 
by the Whigs, with John Tyler for the Vice Presideiu y. 
The contest was very animated. Gen Jackson gave 
all his influence to [ire vent Harrison's election ; but 
his triumph was signal. 

The cabinet which he formed, with Daniel Webstei 
at its head as Secretary of State, was one of the most 
brilliant with which anv President had ever been 
surrounded. Never were the pros[)ects of an admin- 
istration more flattering, or the hopes of the country 
more sanguine. In the midst of these bright and 
joyous prospects. Gen. Harrison was seized L'y a 
pleurisy-fever and after a few days of violent sick- 
ness, died on the 4th of April; just one month after 
his inauguration as President of the U;nled States. 





'"vn 



rJ 



^^y 



TENTH PTiESIDENT. 



55 




JOim" TTIEH, 



I OHN TYLER, the tenth 
■' ; Presidentofthe United States. 
He was born in Charles-city 
Co., Va., March 29, 1790. He 
was the favored child of af- 
fluence and high social po- 
sition. At the early age of 
twelve, John entered William 
and Mary College and grad- 
uated with much honor when 
but seventeen years old. After 
graduating, he devoted him- 
self with great assiduity to the 
study of law, partly with his 
father and partly with Edmund 
Randolph, one of the most distin- 
guished lawyers of Virginia. 

At nineteen years of age, ne 
commenced the practice of law. 
His success was rapid and aston- 
ishing. It is said that three 
months had not elapsed ere there 
was scarcely a case on the dock- 
1 et of the court in which he was 

i.M retained. When but twenty-one years of age, he 
was almost unanimously ejected to a seat in the State 
Legislature. He connected himself with the Demo- 
cratic party, and warmly advocated the measures of 
TefTerson and Madison. For five successive years he 
was elected to the Legislature, receiving nearly the 
unanimous vote or his county. 

When but twenty-six years of age, he was elected 
a member of Congress. Here he acted earnestly and 
ably wi,h the Democratic party, ojjixjsing a national 
bank, inter"'! improvements by the General '^ovcn- 




ment, a protective tariflf, and advocating a strict con- 
struction of the Constitution, and the most careful 
vigilance over State rights. His labors in Congress 
were so arduous that before the close of his second 
term he found it necessary to resign and retire to his 
estate in Charles-city Co., to recruit his health. He, 
however, soon after consented to take his seat in the 
State Legislature, where his influence was jwwerful 
in promoting public works of great utility. With a 
reputation thus canstantly increasing, he was chosen 
by a very large majority of votes. Governor of his 
native State. His administration was signally a suc- 
cessful one. His popularity secured his re-election. 

John Randolpji, a brilliant, erratic, half-crazed 
man, then represented Virginia in the Senate of the 
United States, k portion of the Democratic party 
was displeased with Mr. Randolph's wayward course, 
and brought forward John Tyler as his op|K)nent, 
considering him the only man in ^'irginia of sufficient 
popularity to succeed against the renowned orator of 
Roanoke. Mr. Tyler was the \ictor. 

In accordance with his professions, upon taking his 
seat in tlie Senate, he joined the ranks of the opposi- 
tion. He op[X3sed the tariff; he spoke against and 
voted against the bank as unconstitutional ; he stren- 
uously opposed all restrictions upon slavery, resist- 
ing all projects of internal improvements by the Gen- 
eral Government, and avowed his sympathy with Mr. 
Calhoun's view of nullification ; he declared that Gen. 
Jackson, by his opjjosition to the nullifiers, had 
abandoned the principles of the Democratic party. 
Such was Mr. Tyler's record in Congress, — a record 
in perfect accordance with the principles which be 
had always avowed. 

Returning to Virginia, he resumed the practice of 
his profession. Therv was a ci>I:t in th.e I)en;ocr.>ii< 



56 



JOHN TYLER. 



I'arty. His friends still regarded him as a true Jef- 
fersonian, gave him a dinner, and showered compli- 
ments upon him. He had now attained the age of 
forty-six. His career had been very brilliant. In con- 
sequence of his devotion to jjublic business, his pri- 
vate affairs had fallen into some disorder; audit was 
not without satisfaction that he resumed the practice 
of law, and devoted himself to the culture of his plan- 
tation. Soon after this he remo\ed to Williamsburg, 
for the better education of his children ; and he again 
look his seat in the Legislature of Virginia. 

By the Southern Whigs, he was sent to the national 
convention at Harrisburg to nominate a President in 
f839. The majority of votes were given to Gen. Har- 
rison, a genuine VVhig, much to the disappointment of 
the South, who wished for Henry Clay. To concili- 
ate the Southern Whigs and to secure their vote, the 
convention then nominated John Tyler for Vice Pres- 
ident. It was well known that he was not in sympa- 
thy with the Whig party in the Noith: but the Vice 
President has but very little power in the Govern- 
ment, his main and almost only duty being to pre- 
side over the meetings of the Senate. Thus it hap- 
pened that a Whig President, and, in reality, a 
Democratic Vice President were chosen. 

In 1 84 1, Mr. Tyler was inaugurated Vice Presi- 
dent of the United States. In one short month from 
that time. President Harrison died, and Mr. Tyler 
thus -;und himself, to his own surprise and that of 
the whole Nation, an occupant of the Presidential 
chair. This was a new test of the stability of our 
institutions, as it was the first time in the history of our 
country that such an event had occured. Mr. Tyler 
was at home in Williainsinirg when he received the 
une.xpected tidings of the death of President Harri- 
son. He hastened to Washington, and on the 6th of 
h~n\ was inaugurated to the high and responsible 
office. He was placed in a iX)sition of exceeding 
delicacy and difficulty. All his long life he had been 
o])posed tc the main principles of the party which had 
brought him into power. He had ever been a con- 
sistent, honc;t man, with an unblemished record. 
Gen. Harrison had selected a Whig cabinet. Should 
he retain them, and thus surround himself with coun- 
sellors whose views were antagonistic to his own? or, 
on the other hand, should he turn against the party 
whicii had elected him and select a cabinet in har- 
mony with himself, and which would oppose all those 
views which the Whigs deemed essential to tiie pub- 
lic welfare.' This was his fearful dilemma. He in- 
vited the cabinet which President Hanrison had 
selected to retain their seats. He reccoinmended a 
day of fasting and prayer, that (iod would guide and 
bless us. 

The Whigs carried through Congress a bill for the 
incor|»ration of a fiscal bank of the United States. 
The President, after ten days' delay, returned it with 
his veto. Hf suLiijested, however, that he would 



approve of a bill drawn up upon such a plan as he 
proposed. Such a bill was accordingly prepared, and 
privately submitted to him. He gave it his approval. 
It was passed without alteration, and he sent it back 
with his veto. Here commenced the open rupture. 
It is said that Mr. Tyler was provoked to this meas- 
ure by a published letter from the Hon. John M. 
Botts, a distinguished Virginia Whig, who severely 
touched the pride of the President. 

The opposition now exultingly received the Presi- 
dent into their arms. The party which elected him 
denounced him bitterly. AH the members of his 
cabinet, excepting Mr. Webster, resigned. The Whigs 
of Congress, both the Senate and the House, held a 
meeting and issued an address to the people of the 
United States, proclaiming that all political alliance 
between the \Vhigs and President Tyler were at 
an end. 

Still the President attempted to conciliate. He 
appointed a new cabinet of distinguished Whigs and 
Conservatives, carefully leaving out all strong party 
men. Mr. Webster soon found it necessary to resign, 
forced out by the pressure of his Whig friends. Thus 
the four years of Mr. Tyler's unfortunate administra- 
tion ])assed sadly away. No one was satisfied. The 
land was filled witli murmurs and vituperation. Whigs 
and Democrats alike assailed him. More and more, 
however, he brought himself into sympathy with his 
old friends, the Democrats, until atthe close of his term, 
he gave his whole influence to the support of Mr. 
Polk, the Democratie candidate for his successor. 

On the 4th of March, 1845, he retired from the 
harassments of office, tothe regret of neither party, and 
probably to his own unsjjeakable relief. His first wife, 
Miss Letitia Christian, died in Washington, in 1842; 
and in June, 1844, President Tyler was again married, 
at New York, to Miss Julia Gardiner, a young lady of 
many personal and intellectual accomplishments. 

The remainder of his days Mr. Tyler passed mainly 
in retirement at his beautiful home, — Sherwood For- 
est, Charles-city Co., Va. A polished gentleman in 
his manners, richly furnished with information from 
books and experience in the world, and possessing 
brilliant powers of conversation, his family circle was 
the scene of unnsual attractions. With sufficient 
means for the exercise of a generous hospitality, he 
might have enjoyed a serene old age with the few 
friends who gathered around him, were it not for the 
storms of civil war which his own princijiles and 
jxilicy had helped to introduce. 

When the great Rebellion rose, which the State- 
rights and nullifying doctrines of Mr. John C. CaU 
houn had inaugurated. President Tyler renounced his 
allegiance to the United States, and joined the Confed- 
erates. He was chosen a member of their Congress; 
and while engaged in active measures to destroy, by 
force of arms, the Government over wliich he had 
once presided, he was taken sick and ^o-ju died. 



'*^"- 




.s^ 



<^*~ — ^ - 



ELE J EJV TH PRESIDENT : 



59 







,IAMES Ko POIK, 



^'^ 



^.■^ V 



i^^.:^.^S*^.^^ 






ri^ 





^^j 



1^" 




1^ 




AMES K. POLK, the eleventh 

f-i.Tresident of the United States, 

was born in Mecklenburg Co., 

N. C.,Nov. 2, 1795. His par- 

rft^i\ ents were Samuel and Jane 

(Knox) Polk, the former a son 

of Col. Tliomas I'olk, who located 

at the above place, as one of the 

first pioneers, in 1735. 

In the year 1S06, with his wife 
and children, ar.d soon after fol- 
lowed by most of the members of 
the Polk fainly, Samuel Polk emi- 
grated some two or three hundred 
miles farther west, to the rich valley 
of the Duck River. Here in the 
midst of the wilderness, in a region 
which was subsequently called Mau- 
ry Co., they reared their log huls, 
and established their homes. In the 
hard toil of a new farm in the wil- 
derness, James K. Polk spent the 
early years of his childhood and 
youth. His father, adding the pur- 
suit of a surveyor to that of a farmer, 
' gradually increased in wealth until 

he became one of the leading men of the region. His 
mother was a superior woman, of strong common 
sense and earnest piety. 

Very early in life, James developed a taste for 
reading and expressed the strongest desire to obtain 
a liberal education. His mother's training had made 
liim methodical in his habits, had taught him punct- 
uality and industry, and had inspired him with lofty 
principles of morality. His health was frail ; and his 
father, fearing that he might not be able to endure a 



sedentary life, got a situation for him behind the 
counter, ho])ing to fit him for commercial pursuits. 

This was to James a bitter disapix)intment. He 
had no taste for these duties, and his daily tasks 
were irksome in the extreme. He remained in this 
uncongenial occupation but a few weeks, when at his 
earnest solicitation his father removed him, and made 
arrangements for him to prosecute his studies. Soon 
after he sent him to Murfreesboro Academy. With 
ardor which could scarcely be surpassed, he pressed 
forward in his studies, and in less than two and a half, 
years, in the autumn of 1815, entered the sophomorej 
class in the University of North Carolina, at Chapell 
Hill. Here he was one of the most exemplaiy of 
scholars, punctual in every exercise, never allowing 
himself to be absent from a recitation or a religious 
service. 

He graduated in 18 18, with the highest honors, be* 
ing deemed the best scholar of his class, both in 
mathematics and the classics. He was then twenty- 
three years of age. Mr. Polk's health was at this 
time much impaired by the assiduity with which he 
had prosecuted his studies. After a short season of 
relaxation he went to Nashville, and entered the 
office of Felix Grundy, to study law. Here Mr. Polk 
renewed his acquaintance with Andrew Jackson, who 
resided on his plantation, the Hermitage, but a few 
miles from Nashville. They had probably been 
slightly acquainted before. 

Mr. Polk's father was a Jeffersonian Republican, 
and James K. Polk ever adhered to the same politi- 
cal faith. He was a popular public speaker, and was 
constantly called upon to address the meetings of his 
party friends. His skill as a speaker was such that 
he was jK)pularly called the Napoleon of the stumj). 
He was a man of unblemished morals, genial and 



6a 



JAMBS K. POLK. 



courter^s in his bearing, and with that sympathetic 
nature in the jo) s and griefs of others which ever gave 
him troops of friends. In 1823, Mr. Polk was elected 
to the Legislature of Tennessee. Here he gave his 
strong influence towards the election of his friend, 
iMr. Jackson, to the Presidency of the United States. 

In (anuary, 1824, Mr. Polk married Miss Sarah 
Childress, of Rutherford Co., Tenn. His bride was 
altogether worthy of him, — a lady of beauty and cul- 
ture. In the fall of 1825, Mr. Polk was chosen a 
member of Congress. Tlie satisfaction which he gave 
to his constituents may be inferred from the fact, that 
for fourteen successive years, until 1839, he was con- 
tinuec" in that oflSce. He then voluntarily withdrew, 
only that he might accept the Gubernatorial chair 
of Tennessee. In Congress he was a laborious 
member, a frequent and a popular speaker. He was 
always in his seat, always courteous ; and whenever 
he spoke it was always to the jxiint, and without any 
ambitious rhetorical display. 

During five sessions of Congress, Mr. Polk was 
Speaker of the House. Strong passions were roused, 
and stormy scenes w-ere witnessed ; but Mr. Polk per- 
formed his arduous duties to a very general satisfac- 
tion, and a unanimous vote of thanks to him was 
|)assed by the House as he withdrew on the 4th of 
March, 1839. 

In accordance with Southern usage, Mr. Polk, as a 
candidate for Governor, canvassed the State. He was 
elected by a large majority, and on the 14th of Octo- 
ber, 1839, took the oath of office at Nashville. In 1841, 
his term of office expired, and he was again the can- 
didate of the Democratic party, but was defeated. 

On the 4th of March, 1845, Mr. Polk was inaugur- 
ated President of the United States. The verdict of 
the country in favor of the annexation of Texas, exerted 
its influence upon Congress ; and the last act of the 
administration of President Tyler was to affix his sig- 
nature to a joint resolution of Congress, passed on the 
3d of March, approving of the annexation of Texas to 
the American Union. As Mexico still claimed Texas 
as one of her provinces, the Mexican minister, 
Almonte, immediately demanded his passjxjrts and 
Ueft the country, declaring the act of the annexation 
to be an act hostile to Mexico. 

In his first message. President Polk urged that 
Texas should immediately, by act of Congress, be re- 
ceived into the Union on the same footing with the 
other States. In the meantime, Gen. Taylor was sent 



with an army into Texas to hold the country. He was 
sent first to Nueces, which the Mexicans said was the 
western boundary of Texas. Then he was sent nearly 
two hundred miles further west, to the Rio Grande, 
where he erected batteries which commanded the 
Mexican city of Matamoras, which was situated on 
the western banks. 

The anticipated collision soon took place, and wai 
was declared against Mexico by President Polk. The 
war was pushed forward by Mr. Polk's administration 
with great vigor. Gen. Taylor, whose army was first 
called one of "observation," then of "occupation,' 
then of " invasion, "was sent forward to Monterey. The 
feeble Mexicans, in every encounter, were hopelessly 
ana awfully slaughtered. The day of judgement 
alone can reveal the misery which this war caused. 
It v/as by the ingenuity of Mr. Polk's administration 
that the war was brought on. 

'To the victors belong the spoils." Mexico was 
prostrate before us. Her capital was in our hands. 
We now consented to peace upon the condition that 
Mexico should surrender to us, in addition to Texas, 
all of New Mexico, and all of Upper and Lower Cal- 
ifornia. This new demand embraced, exclusive of 
Texas, eight hundred thousand square miles. This 
was an extent of territory equal to nine States of the 
size of New York. Thus slavery was securing eighteen 
majestic States to be added to the Union. There were 
some Americans who thought it all right : there were 
others who thought it all wrong. In the prosecution 
of this war, we expended twenty thousand lives and 
more than a hundred million of dollars. Of this 
money fifteen millions were paid to Mexico. 

On the 3d of March, 1849, Mr. Polk retired from 
office, having served one term. Tlie next day was 
Sunday. On the 5th, Gen. Taylor was inaugurated 
as his successor. Mr. Polk rode to the Capitol in tlic 
same carriage with Gen. Taylor; and the same even- 
ing, with Mrs. Polk, he commenced his return to 
Tennessee. He wjs then but fifty-four years of age. 
He had ever been strictly temperate in all his habits, 
and his health was good. With an am])le fortune, 
a choice library, a cultivated mind, and domestic ties 
of the dearest nature, it seemed as though long years 
of tranquility and happiness were before him. But the 
cholera — that fearful scourge — was then sweejjing up 
the \'alley of the Mississippi. This he contracted, 
and died on the 15th of June, 1849, in the fifty-fourth 
year of his age, greatly mourned by his countrymen. 




J 



/'<r-t -c' y^^^ >y yr^-y t-ry" 



TWELFTH PRESIDENT. 



63 







/ACMAIO TAVI.01(. 



i;^;^::^ ^ -■■-.- -■■• .'-.■■ .' . •. ■-, --.-- •- ■ -.' ~ --v. - '^i 




i'^ ACHARY TAYLOR, iwelfih 
^®) President of the United States, 
was born on the 24th of Nov., 
1784, in Orange Co., Va. His 
father. Colonel Taylor, was 
''f i^'^ a \'iri;inian of note, and a dis- 
tinguished patriot and soldier of 
the Revolution. When Zachary 
was an infant, his father with his 
wife and two children, emigrated 
to Kentucky, where he settled in 
the pathless wilderness, a few 
miles from Louisville, la this front- 
?W ier home, away from civilization and 
I all its refinements, yaung Zachary 
could enjoy but few social and educational advan- 
tages. When six years of age he attended a common 
school, and was then regarded as a bright, active boy, 
rather remarkable for bluntness and decision of char- 
icter He was strong, fearless and self-reliant, and 
manifested a strong desire to enter the army to fight 
the Indians who were ravaging the frontiers. There 
is little to be recorded of the uneventful years of his 
childhood on his father's large but lonely plantation. 
In 1808, his father succeeded in obtaining for him 
the commission of lieutenant in the United States 
army ; and he joined the trooi)S whicli were stationed 
at New Orleans under Gen. Wilkinson. Soon after 
this he married Miss Margaret Smith, a young lady 
from one of the first families of Maryland. 

Immediately after the declaration of war with Eng- 
land, in r8i2, Capt. Taylor (for he had then been 
promoted to that rank) was put in command of Fort 
Harrison, on the Wabash, about fifty miles above 
Vincennes. This fort had been built in the wilder- 
ness by Gen. Harrison, on his march to Tipi)ecanoe. 
It was one of the first points of attack by the Indians, 
led by Tecurnseh. Its garrison consisted of a broken 



company of infantry numbering fifty men, many of 
whom were sick. 

Early in the autumn of 1812, the Indians, stealthily, 
and in large numbers, moved ujjon the fort. Their 
approach was first indicated by the murder of two 
soldiers just outside of the stockade. Capt. Taylor 
made every possible preparation to meet the antici- 
pated assault. On the 4th of September, a band of 
forty painted and plumed savages came to the fort, 
waving a white flag, and informed Capt. Taylor that 
in the morning their chief would come to have a talk 
with him. It was evident that their object was merely 
to ascertain the state of things at the fort, and Capt. 
Taylor, well versed in the wiles of the savages, kept 
them at a distance. 

The sun went down; the savages disappeared, the 
garrison slept upon their arms. One hour before 
midnight the war whooi) burst from a thousand lips 
in the forest around, followed by the discharge of 
musketry, and the rush of the foe. Every man, sick 
and well, sprang to his post. Every man knew that 
defeat was not merely death, but in the case of cap- 
ture, death by the most agonizing and prolonged tor- 
ture. No pen can describe, no immagination can 
conceive the scenes which ensued. The savages suc- 
ceeded in setting fire to one of the block-houses- 
Until six o'clock in the morning, this awful conflict 
continued. The savages tlien, baffled at every jwint, 
and gnashing their teeth with rage, retired. Capt. 
Taylor, for this gallant defence, was promoted to the 
rank of major by brevet. 

Until the close of the war, MajorTaylor was placed 
in such situations that he saw but little more of active 
service. He was sent far away into the depthsof the 
wilderness, to Fort Crawford, on Fox River, which 
cm|)ties into Green Hay. Here there was but little 
to be done but to wear away the tedious hours as one 
best could. There were no books, no society, no in- 



64 



ZACHARY rAYLOR 



tellectual stimulus. Thus with him the uneventful 
years rolled on Gradually he rose to the rank of 
colonel. In the Black Hawk war, which resulted in 
the capture of that renowned chieftain, Col Taylor 
took a subordinate but a brave and efficient part. 

For twenty-four years Col. Taylor was engaged in 
the defence of the frontiers, in scenes so remote, and ni 
Employments so obscure, that his name was unknown 
'beyond tlie limits of his own immediate acquaintance. 
,In the year i8_}6, he was sent to Florida to comjiel 
the Seminole Indians to vacate that region and re- 
tire beyond the Mississippi, as their chiefs by treaty, 
iiac'' promised they should do. The services rendered 
heic secured for Col. Taylor the high appreciation of 
ihe Government; and as a reward, he was elevated 
(c .he rank of brigadier-general by brevet ; and soon 
after, in May, 1838, was appointed to the chief com- 
inand of the United States troops in Florida. 

After two years of sucli wearisome employment 
iimidst the everglades of the peninsula, Gen. 'Faylor 
obtained, at his own request, a change of command, 
ind was stationed over the Department of the South- 
west. This field embraced Louisiana, Mississippi, 
Alabama and Georgia. Establishing his headquarters 
yl Fort Jessup, in Louisiana, he removed his family 
fo a plantation which he purchased, near Baton Rogue. 
FIcre he remained for five years, buried, as it were, 
fuvm the world, but faithfully discharging every duty 
•jnvposed upon him. 

In 1846, Gen. Taylor was sent to guard the land 
between the Nueces and Rio Grande, the latter river 
t)eing the boundary of Texas, which was then claimed 
"by the United States. Soon the war with Mexico 
wc; brought on, and at Palo Alto and Resaca de la 
Palma, Gen. Taylor won brilliant victories over the 
^f^,■.xicans. The rank of major-general by brevet 
■Aas then conferred upon Gen. Taylor, and his name 
was received with enthusiasm almost everywhere in 
the Nation. Then came the battles of Monterey and 
Euena Vista in which he won signal victories over 
It jces much larger than he commanded. 

His careless habits of dress and his unaffected 
■^iinplicity, secured for Gen. Taylor among his troops, 
'-X & sobriquet of "Old Rough and Ready.' 

The tidings of the brilliant victory of Buena Vista 
rpread the wildest enthusiasm over the country. The 
niime of Gen. Taylor was on every one's li[)s. The 
H hig party decided to take advantage of this wonder- 
fu/ popularity in bringing forward the unpolished, un- 

■ •^red, honest soldier as their candidate for the 
I'lesidency. Gen. Taylor was astonished at the an- 
nt uncement, and for a time would not listen to it; de- 
claring that he was not at all (lualified for such an 
oft ice. So little interest had he taken in ])olitics that, 
foi forty years, he had not cast a vote. It was not 
wnhout chagrin that several distinguished statesmen 
wiio had been long years in the public service found 
'■i.-iX! claims set aside in behalf of one wliose name 



had never been heard of, save in connection with Palo 
Alto, Resaca de la Palma, Monterey and Buena 
Vista. It is said that Daniel Webster, in his haste re- 
marked, " It is a nomination not fit to be made." 

Gen. Taylor was not an eloquent speaker nor a fine 
writer His friends took possession of him, and pre- 
pared such few communications as it was needful 
should be presented to the public. The popularity of 
the successful warrior swept the land. He was tri- 
umphantly elected over two opposing candidates, — 
Gen. Cass and Ex-President Martin Van Buren. 
Though he selected an excellent cabinet, the good 
old man found himself in a very uncongenial position, 
and was, at times, sorely perplexed and harassed. 
His mental sufferings were very severe, and probably 
tended to hasten iiis death. The pro-slavery party 
was pushing its claims with tireless energy , expedi- 
tions were fitting out to capture Cuba ; •California was 
pleading for admission to the Union, while slavery 
stood at the door to bar her out. Gen. Taylor found 
the political conflicts in Washington to be far more 
trying to the nerves than battles with Mexicans or 
Indians 

In the midst of all these troubles, Gen. Taylor, 
after he had occupied the Presidential chair but little 
over a year, took cold, and after a brief sickness of 
but little over five days, died on the 9th of July, 1850. 
His last words were, "I am not afraid to die. I am 
ready. I have endeavored to do my duty." He died 
universally respected and beloved. An honest, un- 
pretending man, he had been steadily growing in the 
affections of the people; and the Nation bitterly la- 
mented his death. 

Gen. Scott, who was thoroughly acquainted with 
Gen. Taylor, gave the following graphic and truthful 
description of his character:- — " With a good store of 
common sense, Gen. Taylor's mind had not been en- 
larged and refreshed by reading, or much converse 
with the world. Rigidity of ideas was the conse- 
quence. The frontiers and small military posts had 
been his home. Hence he was quite ignorant for his 
rank, and quite bigoted in his ignorance. His sim- 
plicity was child-like, and with innumerable preju- 
dices, amusing and incorrigible, well suited to the 
tender age. Thus, if a man, however respectable, 
chanced to wear a coat of an unusual color, or his hat 
a little on one side of his head; or an officer to leave 
a corner of his handkerchief dangling from an out- 
side pocket,— in any such case, this critic held the 
offender to be a coxcomb (perhaps something worse), 
whom he would not, to use his oft repeated phrase, 
' touch with a pair of tongs.' 

"Any allusion to literature beyond good old Dil- 
worth's spelling-book, on the part of one wearing a 
sword, was evidence, with the same judge, of utter 
unfitness for heavy marchings and combats. Inshor* 
few men have ever had a more comforta:Ae, 'a>>nT. 
saving contempt for learning of every kind.'^ 





^^t-c r/ 



\<-cnj) 



THIRTEENTH PRESIDENT. 



6r 




-6H- 









I ^'MlLLflRn FlLLMflRE.^^ I 






< ILLARD FILLMORE, thi.-- 
';>) teenth President of the United 
•'"^ States, was born at Summer 
Hill, Cayuga Co., N. Y ., on 
the 7th of January, 1800. His 
"^ father was a farmer, and ow- 
ing to misfortune, in humble cir- 
cumstances. Of his mother, tlic 
daughter of Dr. Abiathar Millard, 
of Pittsfield, Mass., it has been 
said that she [wssessed an intellect 
of very high order, united with much 
personal loveliness, sweetness of dis- 
lx)sit;on, graceful manners and ex- 
quisite sensibilities. She died in 
1831 ; having lived to see her son a 
young man of distinguished [)rom- 
ibe, though she was not permitted to witness the high 
dignity which he finally attained. 

In consecjuence of the secluded home arid limited 
ineans of his father, Millard enjoyed but slender ad- 
vantages for education in his early years. The com- 
mon schools, which he occasionally attended were 
very imperfect nistitutions; and books were scarce 
snd expensive. Tiiere was nothing then in his char- 
acter to indicate the brilliant career u\xin which he 
was about to enter. He was a plain farmer's boy ; 
intelligent, good-looking, kind-hearted. The sacred 
influences of home had taught him to revere the Bible, 
and had laid the foundations of an upright character. 
When fourteen years of age, l.is father sent him 
some hundred miles from home, to the then wilds of 
Livingston County, to learn the trade of a clothier. 
Neai the mill there was a small villiage, where some 



enterprising man had commenced the collection of a 
village library. This proved an inestimable blessing 
to young Fillmore. His evenings were spent in read- 
ing. Soon every leisure moment was occupied with 
books. His thirst fur knowledge became insatiate 
and the selections which he made were continually 
more elevating and instructive. He read histor)', 
biography, oratory, and thus gradually there was en- 
kindled in his heart a desire to be something more 
than a mere worker with his hands; and he was be- 
coming, almost unknown to himself, a well-informed, 
educated man. 

Tlie young clotiiicr had now attained the age of 
nineteen years, and was of line personal appearance 
and cf gentlemanly demeanor. It so happened tha^ 
there was a gentleman in the neighborhood of ample 
jjccuniary means and of benevolence, — Judge Walter 
Wood, — who was struck with the prej^ssessing ap- 
pearance of young Fillmore. He made his acquaint- 
ance, and was so much impressed with his ability and 
attainments that he advised him to abandon his 
trade and devote himself to the study of the law. The 
young man replied, that he had no means of his own. 
no friends to help him and that his previous educa- 
tion had been very imperfect. But Judge Wood had 
so much confidence in him that he kindly offered to 
take him into his own office, and to loan him such 
money as he needed. Most gratefully the generous 
offer was accepted. 

There is in many minds a strange delusion aboutf 
a collegiate education. A young man is supposed to 
be liberally educated if he has graduated at some col- 
lege. But many a boy loiters through university lu-.'.' ■ 
Hnd then enters a law office, who is by no means »s 



la 



MILLARD PILLMORB. 



well prepared to prosecute his legal studies as was 
Millard Fillmore when he graduated at the clothing- 
mill at the end of four years of manual labor, during 
which every leisure moment had been devoted to in- 
tense mental culture. 

In 1823, when twenty-three years of age, he v/as 
admitted to the Court of Common Pleas. He then 
went to the village of Aurora, and commenced the 
practice of law. In this secluded, peaceful region, 
his practice of course was limited, and there was no 
opportunity for a sudden rise in fortune or hi fame. 
Here, in the year 1826, he married a lady of great 
moral worth, and one capable of adorning any station 
she might be called to fill, — Miss Abigail Powers. 

His elevation of character, his untiring industry, 
his legal acquirements, and his skill as an advocate, 
gradually attracted attention ; and he was invited to 
enter into partnership under highly advantageous 
circumstances, with an elder member of the bar in 
Buffalo. Just before removing to Buffalo, in 1829, 
he took his seat in the House of Assembly, of the 
State of New York, as a representative from Erie 
County. Though he had never taken a very active 
part in politics, his vote and his sympathies were with 
the Whig party. The State was then Democratic, 
and he found himself in a helpless minority in the 
Legislature , still the testimony comes from all parlies, 
that his courtesy, ability and integrity, won, to a very 
unusual degree the respect of his associates. 

In the autumn of 1832, he was elected to a seat in 
the United States Congress. He entered that troubled 
arena in some of the most tumultuous hours of our 
national history. The great conflict respecting the 
national bank and the removal of tlie deposits, was 
then raging. 

His term of two years closed ; and he returned to 
his profession, whicli he pur-iucd witji increasing rep- 
utation and success. After a lapse of two years 
he again became a candidate for Congress ; was re- 
elected, and took his seat in 1837. His past expe- 
rience as a representative gave hmi stiength and 
confidence. The first term of service in Congress to 
any man can be but little more than an introduction. 
He was now prepared for active duty. All his ener- 
gies were broughl to bear uixin the public good. Every 
measure received his impress. 

Mr. Fillmore was now a man of wide repute, and 
his popularity filled the State, and in tlie year 1847, 
he was elected Comptroller of the State. 



Mr. Fillmore had attained the age of forty-seven 
years. His labors at the bar, in the Legislature, in 
Congress and as Comptroller, had given him very con- 
siderable fame. The Whigs were casting about to 
find suitable candidates for President and Vice-Presi- 
dent at the approaching election. Far away, on the 
waters of the Rio Grande, there was a rough old 
soldier, who had fought one or two successful battles 
with the Mexicans, which had caused his name to be 
proclaimed in tiumpet-tones all over the land. But 
it was necessary to associate with him on the same 
ticket some man of reputation as a statesman. 

Under the influence of these considerations, tlie 
namesofZachary Taylor and Millard Fillmore became 
the rallying-cry of the Whigs, as their candidates for 
President and Vice-Peesident. The Whig ticket was 
signally triumphant. On the 4th of March, 1849, 
Gen. Taylor was inaugurated President, and Millard 
Fillmore Vice-President, of the United States. 

On the 9th of July, 1850, President Taylor, but 
about one year and four months after his inaugura 
tion, was suddenly taken sick and died. By the Con- 
stitution, Vice-President Fillmore thus became Presi- 
dent. He appointed a very able cabinet, of which 
the illustrious Daniel Webster was Secretary of State. 

Mr. Fillmore had very serious difficulties to contend 
with, since the op[X)sition had a majority in both 
Houses. He did everything in his power to com iliate 
the South; but the pro-slavery party in the Soutli felt 
the inadequacy of all measuresof transient conciliation. 
The population of the free States was so rapidly in- 
creasing over that of the slave States that it was in- 
evitable that the power of the Government should 
soon pass into the hands of the free States. Tlie 
famous compromise measures were adopted under Mr. 
Fillmcre's adminstration, and the Japan Expeditioii 
was sent out. On the 4th of March, 1853, Mr Fill- 
more, having served one term, retired. 

In 1856, Mr. Fillmore was nominated for the Pres- 
idency by the " Know Nothing " party, but was beaten 
by Mr. Buchanan. After that Mr. Fillmore lived in 
retirement. During the terrible conflict of civil war, 
he was mostly silent. It was generally supposed iha* 
liis sympathies were rather with those who were en- 
deavoring to overthrow our institutions. President 
Fillmore kept aloof from the conflict, without any 
cordial words of cheer to the one party or the other. 
He was tluis forgotten by both. He lived to a ripe 
old age, and died in Buffalo. N. Y., March 8, 1874. 



F-OURTEENTIt PRESIDENT. 










^^i':^ 





""SPS 



RANKLIN PIERCE, the 
fourteenth President of the 
^' United States, was born in 
Hillsborougli, N. H., Nov. 
23, 1804. His father was a 
Revolutionary soldier, who, 
with his own strong arm, 
hewed out a home in the 
wilderness. He was a man 
of inflexible integrity; of 
strong, though uncultivated 
mind, and an uncompromis- 
ing Democrat. The mother of 
Franklin Pierce was all that a son 
could desire, — an intelligent, pru- 
dent, affectionate, Christian wom- 
an. Franklin was the sixth of eight children. 

Franklin was a very bright and handsome boy, gen- 
erous, warm-hearted and brave. He won alike the 
love of old and young. The boys on the play ground 
loved him. His teachers loved him. The neighbors 
looked upon him with pride and affection. He was 
by instinct a gentleman; always speakingkind words, 
doing kind deeds, with a peculiar unstudied tact 
which taught him what was agreeable. Without de- 
veloi)ing any precocity of genius, or any unnatural 
devotion to bjoks, he was a good scholar; in body, 
in mind, in affections, a finely-developed boy. 

When sixteen years of age, in the year 1820, he 
entered Bowdoin College, at Brunswick, Me He was 
one of the most ))opular young men in the college. 
1 he purity cf his moral character, the unvarying 
courtesy of his demeanor, his rank as a scholar, .and 



genial nature, rendered him a universal favorite. 
There was something very peculiarly winning in his 
address, and it was evidently not in the slightest de- 
gree studied : it was the simple outgushing of his 
own magnanimous and loving nature. 

Uiwii gradiiating,Sn the year 1824, Franklin Pierce 
commenced the study of law in the office of Judge 
Woodbury, one of the most distinguislied lawyers of 
the State, and a man of great private worth. Th^^ 
eminent social qualities of the young lawyer, his 
father's prominence as a public man, and the brilliant 
political career into which Judge Woodbury was en-- 
tering, all tended to entice Mr. Pierce into the faci- 
nating yet perilous path of political life. With all 
the ardor of his nature he esixjused the cause of Gen. 
Jackson for the Presidency. He commenced the 
practice of law in Hillsborough, and was soon elected 
to represent the town in the State Legislature. Here 
he served for four years. The last two years he was 
chosen speaker of tlie house by a very large vote. 

In 1833, at the age of twenty-nine, he was elected 
a member of Congress. Witliout taking an active 
part in debates, he was faithful and laborious in duty 
and ever rising in the estimation of those with whom 
he was associatad. 

In 1837, being then but thirty-three years of age, 
he was elected to the Senate of the United States; 
taking his seat just as Mr. Van Buren commenced 
his administration. He was the youngest memlierin 
the Senate. In the year 1S34, lie married Miss Jane 
Means Appleton, a lady of rare beauty and accom- 
plishments, and one admirably fitted to adorn every 
station with which her husband was honoied. Of the 



7* 



bRANKLIN PIERCE. 



three sons who were born to them, all now sleep with 
their parents in the grave. 

In the year 1838, Mr. Pierce, with growing fame 
and increasing business as a lawyer, took up his 
residence in Concord, the capital of New Hampshire. 
President Polk, upon his accession to office, appointed 
Mr. Pierce attorney-general of the United States; but 
the offer was declined, in consequence of numerous 
professional engagements at home, and the precariuos 
state of Mrs. Pierce's health. He also, about the 
same time declined the nomination for governor by the 
Democratic party. The war with Mexico called Mr. 
Pierce in the army. Receiving the appointment of 
brigadier-general, he embarked, with a portion of his 
troops, at Newport, R. I., on the 27th of May, 1847. 
He took an important part in this war, proving him- 
self a brave and true soldier. 

When Gen. Pierce reached his home in his native 
State, he was received enthusiastically by the advo- 
cates of the Mexican war, and coldly by his oppo- 
nents. He resumed the practice of his profession, 
very frequently taking an active part in political ques- 
tions, giving his cordial support to the pro-slavery 
wing of the Democratic party. The compromise 
measures met cordially with his approval ; and he 
Strenuously advocated the enforcement of the infa- 
inous fugitive-slave law, which so shocked the religious 
sensibilities of the North. He thus became distin- 
guished as a "Northern man with Southern principles.'' 
The strong partisans of slavery in the .South conse- 
quently regarded him as a man whom they could 
safely trust in office to carry out their plans. 

On the 1 2th of June, 1852, the Democratic conven- 
tion met in Baltimore to nominate a candidate for the 
Presidency. For four days they continued in session, 
and in thirty-five ballotings no one had obtained a 
two-thirds vote. Not a vote thus far had been thrown 
for Gen. Pierce. Then the Virginia delegation 
brought forward his name. There were fourteen 
more ballotings, during which Gen. Pierce constantly 
gained strength, until, at the forty-ninth ballot, he 
received two hundred and eiglity-two votes, and all 
other candidates eleven. Gen. Winfield Scott was 
the Whig candidate. Gen. Pierce was chosen with 
great unanimity. Only four States — Vermont, Mas- 
sachusetts, Kentucky and Tennessee — cast their 
electoral votes against him Gen. Franklin Pieice 
was therefore inaugurated President of the United 
States on the 4th of March, 1853. 



His administration proved one of the most stormy our 
country had ever experienced. The controversy be 
tween slavery and freedom was then approaching itB 
culminating point. It became evident that there was 
an "irrepressible conflict" between them, and that 
this Nation could not long exist " half slave and half 
free." President Pierce, during the whole of his ad- 
ministration, did every thing he could to conciliate 
the South ; but it was all in vain. The conflict every 
year grew more violent, and threats of the dissolution 
of the Union were borne to the North on every South- 
ern breeze. 

Such was the condition of affairs when President 
Pierce approached the close of his four-years' term 
of office. The North had become thoroughlj ;ilien- 
ated from him. The anti-slavery sentiment, goaded 
by great outrages, had been rapidly increasing; all 
the intellectual ability and social worth of President 
Pierce were forgotten in deep reprehension of his ad- 
ministrative acts. The slaveholders of the South, also, 
unmindful of the fidelity with which he had advo- 
cated those measures of Government which they ap- 
proved, and perhaps, also, feeling that he had 
rendered himself so unpopular as no longer to be 
able acceptably to serve them, ungratefully dropped 
him, and nominated James Buchanan to succeed him. 

On the 4th of March, 1857, President Pierce re- 
tired to his home in Concord. Of three children, t«o 
had died, and his only surviving child had been 
killed before his eyes by a railroad accident , and his 
wife, one of the most estimable and accomplished of 
ladies, was rapidly sinking in consumption. The 
hour of dreadful gloom soon came, and he was left 
alone in the world, without wife or child. 

When the terrible Rebellion burst forth, which di- 
vided our country into two parties, and two only, Mr. 
Pierce remained steadfast in the principles which he 
had always cherished, and gave his sympathies to 
that pro-slavery party witli which he had ever been 
allied. He declined to do anything, either by voice 
or pen, to strengthen the hand of the National Gov- 
ernment. He continued to reside in Concord until 
the time of his death, which occurred in October, 
1869. He was one of the most genial and social of 
men, an honored communicant of the Episcopal 
Church, and one of the kindest of neighbors. Gen-- 
erous to a fault, he contributed libeially for tiie al- 
leviation of suffering and want, and many of his towns- 
people were often gladened by his material bounty. 




Yi ///^ J < y^^r /i^rr // <^/ ^</' 



T'IFTEENTH PRESIDENT. 



«i^^^l:^>^>:Si'l^^S.^t^S'^^S■'^^^..^^'^i'^^^J^'^:.n^•..'■^•. ':':'■• ■■ ■••■'. "'I'^t^'^'^'^'^'^'^'^'g^tg^i 




-^«« K- 




-^m^ 





AMES BUCHANAN, the fif- 
teenth President of the United 
States, was born in a small 
frontier town, at the foot of the 
-T5i^' eastern ridge of the Allegha- 
X 1 5^ ,= . / nies, in Franklin Co., Penn., on 

c- 3 the 23d of April, 1791. The place 

j where the humble cabin of his 

1 ',' , ' ' I father stuod was called Ston\- 
^'hkSi^^ Batter. It was a wild and ro- 
mantic sjxjt in a gorge of the moun- 
tains, with towering summits rising 
grandly all around. His father 
was a native of the north of Ireland ; 
a jXHDr man, who had emigrated in 
1783, with little property save his 
Five years afterwards he married 
Elizabeth Spear, the daughter of a respectable farmer, 
and, with his young bride, jjlunged into the wilder- 
ness, staked his claim, reared his log-hut, opened a 
clearing with his axe, and settled down there to per- 
form his obscure part in the drama of life. In this se- 
cluded home, where James was born, he remained 
for eight years, enjoying but few social or intellectual 
advantages. Wlien James was eight years of age, his 
father removed to the village of Mercersburg, where 
his son was placed at school, and commenced a 
course of study in English, Latin and Greek. His 
progress was rapid, and at the age of fourteen, he 
entered Dickinson College, at Carlisle. Here he de- 
veloped remarkalile talent, and took his stand among 
the first scholars in the institution. His application 
to study was intense, and yet his nati-'e (X)wers en- 



own strong arms. 



abled him to master the most abstruse subjects wi "- 
facility. 

In tlie year 1809, he graduated with the highest 
honors of his clas-.. He was then eighteen years o( 
age; tall and graceful, vigorous in health, fond of 
athletic sport, an unerring shot, and enlivened with 
an exuberant flow of animal spirits. He immediately 
commenced the study of law in tiie city of Lancaster, 
and was admitted to the bar in 1812, when he was 
but twenty-one years of age. Very rajiidly he rose 
in his profession, and at once took undisputed stand 
with the ablest lawyers of the State. When but 
twenty-six years of age, unaided by counsel, he suc- 
cessfully defended before the State Senate ore of tht 
judges of the State, who was tried ui)on articles i.i 
impeachment. At the age of thirty it was generally 
admitted that he stood at the head of the bar; an(: 
there was no lawyer in the State who had a more hi- 
crative practice. 

In 1820, he reluctantly consented tu run as i 
candidate for Congress. He was elected, and fo' 
ten years he remained a member of tlie Lower House 
Huringthe vacations of Congress, he occasionally 
tried some imix)rtant case. In 1831, he retired 
altogether from the toils of his iirofession, having ac- 
quired an ample fortune. 

Gen. Jackson, upon his elevation to liie Presidency 
apjxjinted Mr. Buchanan minister to Russia. Tht 
duties of his mission he performed with ability, whicl 
gave satisfaction to all parties. Ujion his return, ii 
1833, he was elected to a seat in the United States 
Senate. He there met, as his associates, Uel-stci. 
Clay, Wright and Calhoun. He advocated tl-.e mea^• 
ures ])ro[X)sedby President Jackson, of w iklng repn- 



76 



JAMES BUCHANAN. 



sals against France, to enforce the payment of our 
claims against that country; and defended tlie 
course of the President in his unprecedented and 
wholesale removal from office of those who were 
not the supportei's of his administration. Upon 
tills question he was brougiit into direct collision 
with Ilenry C'la\-. He also, with voice and vote, ad- 
vocated expunging from the journal of the Senate 
tlie vote of censure against Gen. .Jackson for remov- 
ing the deposits. Earnestly he oi^posed the aboli- 
tion of slavery in the District of Columbia, and 
urged the prohibition of the circulation of anti- 
slavery documents by the United States mails. 

As to petitions on the subject of slavery, he ad- 
vocated that the}' should be respectfully received; 
and that the reply should be returned, that Con- 
gress had no power to legislate upon the subject. 
"Congress," said he, ''might as well undertake to 
interfere with slavery under a foreign government 
as in an}' of the States where it now exists." 

Upon Mr. Polk's accession to the Presidency, Mr. 
Buchanan became Secretary of State, and as such, 
took his share of the responsibility in the conduct 
of the Mexican War. Mr. Polk assumed that cross- 
ing the Nueces by the American troops into the 
disputed territory was not wrong, but for the Mex- 
icans to cross the Rio Grande into that territory 
was a declaration of war. No candid man can read 
with pleasure the account of the course our Gov- 
ernment pursued in that movement. 

Mr. Buchanan identified liimself thoroughly with 
the party devoted to the pcrpeluation and extension 
of slavery, and brought all the energies of his mind 
to bear against the Wilmot Proviso. He gave his 
cordial approval to the compromise measures of 
18.30, which included the fugitive slave law. Mr. 
Pierce, upon his election to the Presidency, hon- 
ored Mr. Buchanan with the mission to P>ngland. 

In the year 18.56, a national Democratic conven- 
tion nominated Mr. Buitlianan for the Presidency. 
The political conllict was one of the most severe 
in which our country has ever engaged. All the 
friends of slavery were on one side; all the advo- 
cates of its restriction and final alxilition on liie 
other. INIr. Fremont, tlie candidate of the enemies 
of slavery, received 114 electoral votes. Mr. Bu- 
chanan received 174, and was elected. The popular 
vote stood 1.340.618 for Frennmt, l,2-24,7;jO for 
Buchanan. On Maieh I, IS")", Mr. Buchanan w:us 
inaugurated. 

Mr. Buiiianan was fai advain-eil in life. t)nly 
four years weie wanting to till up his three-score 
years and ten. His own friends, those with wiioin 
he had been allied in political principles and action 
for years, were seeking the destruction of the Gov- 
ernment, that they might rear upon the ruins of our 
free institutions a nation whose corner-stone should 



be human slavery. In this emergency, Mr. Bu- 
chanan was hopelessly bewildered. He could not, 
with his long-avowed principles, consistently o\y- 
|)Ose the State-rights part}' in their assumption.s. As 
President of the United States, bound by his oath 
faithfully to administer the laws, he could not, 
without perjury of the grossest kind, unite with 
those endeavoring to overthrow the Republic. He 
therefore did nothing. 

The opponents of Mr. Buchanan's administration 
nominated Abraham Lincoln as their standard- 
bearer in the next Presidential canvass. The pro- 
slavery party declared that if he were elected and 
the control of the Government were thus taken from 
their hands they would secede from the Union, tak- 
ing with them as they retired the Kational Capi- 
tol at W.ashington and the lion's share of the ter- 
ritory of the United States. 

As the storm increased in violence, the slave- 
holders, claiming the right to secede, and Mr. Bu- 
chanan avowing that Congress had no power to 
prevent it, one of the most pitiable exhibitions of 
governmental imbecility was exhibited the world 
has ever seen. He declared that Congress had no 
power to enforce its laws in any State which had 
withdrawn, or which w.as attempting to withdraw, 
from the Union. This was not the doctrine of An- 
drew Jackson, when, with his band upon his sword- 
hilt, he exclaimed. "The Union must and shall be 
preserved ! ' ' 

South Carolina seceded in December, I860, nearly 
three months before the inauguration of President 
Lincoln. Mr. Buchanan looked on in listless de- 
spair. The rebel flag was raised in Charleston; Ft. 
Sumter was besieged; our forts, navy-yards and 
arsenals were seized; our depots of military stores 
were plundered; and our custom-houses and post- 
offices were approitriated by the rebels. 

The energy of the rebels and the imbecility of ■ 
our Executive were alike marvelous. The nation 
looked on in agony, waiting for the slow weeks to 
glide away and close the administration, so ter- 
rible in its weakness. At length the long-looked- 
for hour of deliverance came, when Abraham Lin- 
coln was to receive the scepter. 

The administration of President Buchanan was 
certainly the most calamitous our country has ex- 
perienced. His best friends cannot recall it with 
pleasure. And still more deplorable it is for his 
fame, that in that dreadful conflict which rolled its 
billows of flame and blood over our whole land, no 
word came from his lii)S to indicate his wish that 
our country's banner should triumph over the flag 
of the Rebellion. He died at his Wheatland re- 
treat, June 1, 1868. 



4 




d, 



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<<T^TX 



SIXTEENTH PRKS/DEiVT. 



79 









I < ABRAHAM > 














BRAHAM LINCOLN, the 
^, sixteentli President of the 
J^^Uiiited States, was born in 
y Hardin Co., Ky., Feb. 12, 
'' 1S09. About the year 1 7 So, a 
i^ man liy the name of Abraham 
^ Liiicobi left Virginia with his 
family and moved into the then 
wiidsof Kentucky. Only two years 
after this emigration, still a young 
man, while woriting one day in a 
field, was stealtliily a|)[)ro::ched by 
an Indian and shot deail. His widow 
was left in extreme poverty with five 
little children, three boys and two 
girls. Thomas, tlie youngest of tlie 
boys, was four years of age at his 
father's death. This Tiiomas was 
the father of Abraham Lincoln, the 
President of the United States 
whose name must henceforth foi-ever be enrolled 
with the most prominent in tiie annals of our world. 
Of course no record has been kept of the life 
of one so lowly as Thomas Lincoln. He was among 
the poorest of the poor. His iiome was a wretched 
log-cabin ; his food the coarsest and the meanest. 
Education he had none; he could never either read 
or write. As soon as he was able to do anything for 
himself, he was compelled to leave the cabin of his 
starving mother, and [)ush out into the world, a friend- 
.ess, wandering boy, seeking work. He hired him- 
self out, and thus spent the whole of his youth as a 
?iborer in the fields of others. 

When twenty-eight years of age he biiill a log- 
(al)in of his own, and married Nancy Hanks, the 
daughter of .mother family of poor Kentucky emi- 
grants, who had also come from Virginia. Their 
second child was .Abraham Lincoln, the subject of 
this sketch. The mother of Abraham was a noble 
woman, gentle, loving, pensive, created to adorn 
a palace, doomed to toil and pine, and die in a hovel. 
'■ All 'hat I am, or hope to be," exclaims the graie^ 
ful son " I owe to my angel-mother. " 

When he was eight years of age, his father sold his 



cabin and small farm, and moved to Indiana Whcii; 
two years later his mother died. 

Abraham soon became the scribe of the uneducated 
community around liim. He could not have had a 
better school than this to teach him to put liioughts 
into words. He also became an eager reader. The 
books he could obtain were few; but these he ead 
and re-read until they were almost commiltc I tc 
memory. 

As the years rolled on, the lot of this lowly fair.ilj 
was the usual lot of humanity. There were joys and 
griefs, weddings and funerals. Abraham's sisl< i 
Sarah, to whom he was tenderly attached, was mai 
ried when a child of but fourteen years of age, and 
soon died. The family was gradually scattered. M"- 
Thomas Lincoln sold out his squatter's claim ''n 1830 
and emigrated to Macon Co., 111. 

Abraham Lincoln was then twenty-one years of age; 
With vigorous hands he aided his father in vuing 
another log-cabin. Abraham worked diligently at this 
until he saw the family comfortably settled, and theii 
small lot of enclosed prairie planted with corn, when 
he announced to his father his intention to leave 
horne, and to go out into the world and seek his for- 
tune. Little did he or his friends imagine how bril- 
liant that fortune was to be. He saw the value of 
education and was intensely earnest to improve ftis 
mind to the utmost of his power He saw the luin 
which aident spirits were causing, and I e< ame 
strictly tem|)erate; refusing to allow a drop of ii loxi- 
cating liquor to pass his lips. And he had read in 
(lod's word, "Thou shalt not take the name ol thj; 
Lord thy Clod in ' .1..;" and a profane expression ht 
was never heard to utter. Religion he revered. His 
morals were pure, and he was uncontaminated by a 
single vice. 

Young Al)raham woiked for a time as a hired lalwre 
among the farmers. 'I'hen he went to Springfield 
where he was employed in building a large flat boat 
In this he took a herd of swine, floated them dowi 
the Sangamon to the Illinois, and thence by the Mis 
sissi])pi to New Oileans. \\'hali,-ver Abraham I.ii^ 
coin undertook, he performeil so faithfully as to givv 
great satisfaction to his employers. In this adven 



So 



ABRAHAM LINCOLN. 



ture his employers were so well pleased, that upon 
his return they placed a store and mill under liis care. 

In 1832, at the outbreak of the Black Hawk war, he 
enlisted and was chosen captain of a company. He 
returned to Sangamon County, and although only 23 
years of age, was a candidate for the Legislature, but 
was defeated. He soon after received from Andrew 
Jackson ilie appointment of Postmaster of New Salem, 
His only post-office was his hat. All the letters he 
received he carried there ready to deliver to those 
he chanced to meet. He studied surveying, and soon 
made this his business. In 1834 he again became a 
candidate for the Legislature, and was elected Mr. 
Stuart, of Springfield, advised him to study law. He 
walked from New Salem to Springfield, borrowed of 
Mr. Stuart a load of books, carried them back and 
began his legal studies. When the Legislature as- 
sembled he trudged on foot with his pack on his back 
one hundred miles to Vandalia, then the capital. In 
1836 he was re-elected to the Legislature. Here it 
was he first met Stephen A. Douglas. In 1839 he re- 
moved to Springfield and began the practice of law. 
His success with the jury was so great that he was 
coon engaged in almost every noted case in the circuit. 

In 1S54 the great discussion began between Mr. 
Lincoln and Mr, Douglas, on the slavery question. 
In the organization of the Republican party in Illinois, 
in 1856, he took an active part, and at once became 
one of the leaders in that party. Mr. Lincoln's 
speeches in opposition to Senator Douglas in the con- 
test in 1858 for a seat in the Senate, form a most 
notable part of his history. The issue was on the 
slavery (question, and he took the broad ground of 
;he Declaration of Independence, that all men are 
created equal. Mr. Lincoln was defeated in this con- 
test, but won a far higher prize. 

The great Republican Convention met at Chicago 
on the i6th of June, i860. The delegates and 
strangers who crowded the city amounted to twenty- 
five thousand. .4n immense building called "The 
Wigwam," was reared to accommodate the Conven- 
tion. There were eleven candidates for whom votes 
were thrown. William H. Seward, a man whose fame 
as a statesman had long filled the land, was the most 
orominent. It was generally supposed he would be 
the nominee. Abraham Lincoln, however, received 
the nomination on the third ballot. Little did he then 
dream of the weary years of toil and care, and the 
bloody death, to which that nomination doomed him: 
j.nd aslittledid he dream that he was to render services 
to his country, which would fix upon him the eyes of 
the whole civilized world, and which would give him 
a place in the affections of his countrymen, second 
cnly, if second, to that of \V'ashington. 

Election day came and -Mr. Lincoln received 180 
electoral votes out of 203 cast, and was, therefore, 
constitutionally elected President of the United States. 
The tirade of abuse that was [wured upon this good 



and merciful man, especially by the slaveholders, was 
greater than uiwn any other man ever elected to this 
high position. In February, 1S61, Mr. Lincoln started 
for Washington, stopjiing in all tlie large cities on iiis 
way making speeches. The whole journey was froughl 
with much danger. Many of the Southern States had 
already seceded, and several attempts at assassination 
were afterwards brought to light. A gang in Balti- 
more had arranged, ujwn his arrival to" get up a row," 
and in the confusion to make sure of his death with 
revolvers and hand-grenades. A detective unravelled 
the plot. A secret and special train was p-ovidcd tu 
take him from HarrisL-urg, through Baltimcre, at an 
une.\pected hour of the night. The train s'vrted at 
half-past ten ; and to prevent any possible communi- 
cation on the part ot the Secessionists with their Con- 
federate gang in Baltimore, as soon as the train hac. 
started the telegraph-wires were cut. Mr. Lincoln 
reached Washington in safety and was inaugurated, 
although great anxiety was felt by all loyal people 

In the selection of his cabinet Mr. Lincoln gave 
to Mr Seward the Department of State, and to other 
prominent opjionents before the convention he gave 
important [wsitions. 

During no otlier administration \\ji\t the duties 
devolving upon the President been so manifold, and 
the responsibilities so great, as those which fell to 
the lot of President Lincoln. Knowing this, and 
feeling his own weakness and inability to meet, and in 
his own strength to cope with, the difficulties, lie 
learned early to seek Divine wisdom and guidance in 
determining his plans, and Divine comfort in all his 
trials, bo'h personal and national Contrary to his 
own estimate of himself, Mr. Lincoln was one of the 
most courageous of men. He went directly into the 
rebel capital just as the retreating foe was leaving, 
with no guard but a few sailors. From the time he 
had left Springfield, in 1861, however, plans had been 
made for his assassination, and he at last fell a victim 
to oneof tliem. April 14, 1865, he, with Gen. Grant, 
was urgently invited to attend Fords' Theater. It 
was announced that they would be present. Gen. 
Grant, however, left the city. President Lincoln, feel- 
ing, wiiii his cliaracteristic kindliness of heart, that 
it would be a disappointment if he should fail them, 
very reluctantly consented to go. While listening to 
the play an actor by the name of John Wilkes Booth 
entered tlie box where the President and family were 
seated, and fired a bullet into his brains. He died the 
next morning at seven o'clock. 

Never before, in the history of the world was a nation 
plunged into such deep grief by the death of its ruler. 
Strong men met in the streets and wei)t in speechless 
anguish. It is not too much to say that a nation was 
in tears. His was a life which will filly become a 
model. His name as tlie savior of his country w:?! 
live with that of Washington's, its father; hiscf^':ntry- 
iTicr. being unable to decide which is tUe areater. 




C- '^^'-^ui-^c^- 




':^^'^:J^oh^ 



SEVENTEENTH PREHIDENT. 



SJ 



^i 



-4^^^^iMW! 




.'Vl^f I) }.^. W, VY >TT1 





NDREW JOHNSON, seven- 
teenth President of the United 
Slates. The early life of 
Andrew Johnson contains but 
the record of poverty, destitu- 
tion and friendlessness. He 
was born December 29, i8oS, 
in Raleigh, N. C. His parents, 
belonging to the class of the 
"poor whites " of the South, i^cre 
in such circumstances, that lliey 
could not c;nf;r :.;t\\ the slight- 
est advantages of education upon 
their child. When Andrew was five 
years of age, his father accidentally 
lost nis life while herorically endeavoring to save a 
friend from drowning, ''niil ter» ye^rs of age, .\ndrew 
was a ragged boy abouf the streets, supixarted by the 
labor of his mother, who obtained her living with 
her own hands. 

He then, having never attended a school one day, 
and being unable either to read or write, was ap- 
prenticed to a tailor in his native town. A gentleman 
was in the habit of going to the tailor's shop occasion- 
ally, and reading to the boys at work there. He often 
read from the speeches of distinguished British states- 
men. Andrew, who was endowed with a mind of more 
than ordinary native ability, became much interested 
in these sjieeches ; his ambition was roused, and he 
was inspired with a strong desire to learn to read. 

He accordingly applied himself to tlie alphabet, and 
with the assistance of some of his fellow-workmen, 
/earned his letters. He then called upon the gentle- 
man to borrow the book of speeches. The owner. 



pleased with his zeal, not only gave him the bootc 
but assisted him in learning to combine the letters 
into words. Under such difficulties he pressed 01- 
ward laboriously, spending usually ten or twelve houi-s 
at work in the sho]j, and then robbing himself of rest 
and recreatio;- to devote such time as he could to 
reading. 

He went to Tennessee in 1826, and located a' 
Greenville, where he married a young lady who pos 
sessed some education. Under her instructions he 
learned to write and cipher. He became prominef.t 
in the village debating society, and a favorite with 
the students of Greenville College. In 1828, he or- 
ganized a working man's party, which elected him 
alderm.an, and in 1830 elected him mayor, which 
position he held three years. 

He now l^egan to take a lively interest in political 
affairs; identifying himself with the working-classes, 
to which he belonged. In 1835, he was elected a 
member of the House of Representarives of Tennes- 
see. He was then just twenty-seven years of age. 
He became a very active member of the legislature 
gave his adhesion to the Democratic party, and in 
1840 "stumped the State," advocating Martin Van 
Buren's claims to the Presidency, in opposition tg thos^ 
of Gen. Harrison. In this campaign he acquired much 
readiness as a speaker, and extended and increased 
his reputation. 

In 1841, he was elected State Senator; in 1843, he 
was elected a member of Congress, and by successive 
elections, held that important ix)st for ten years. In 
1853, he was elected Ciovernor of Tennessee, and' 
was re-elected in 1855. In all these resiwnsible ixjsi- 
tions, he discharged his duties with distinguished ab\. 



84 



ANDREW JOHNSON. 



iiy, and proved himself the warm friend of the work- 
ing classes. In 1857, Mr. Johnson was elected 
United States Senator. 

Years before, in 1845, he had warmly advocated 
the annexation of Texas, stating however, as his 
reason, that he thought this annexation would prob- 
ably prove " to be the gateway out of which the sable 
sons of Africa are to pass from bondage to freedom, 
j.nd become merged in a population congenial to 
themselves." In 1850, he also supported the com- 
[jromise measures, the two essential features of which 
were, that the white people of the Territories should 
oe permitted to decide for themselves whether they 
would enslave the colored people or not, and that 
the *"ree States of the North should return to the 
South persons who attempted to escape from slavery. 

Mr. Johnson was neverashamedof his lowly origin: 
on the contrary, he often took pride in avowing that 
he owed his distinction to his own exertions. "Sir,'" 
said he on the floor of the Senate, " I do not forget 
that I am a mechanic ; neither do I forget that Adam 
was a tailor and sewed fig-leaves, and that our Sav- 
ior was the son of a carpenter." 

In the Charleston- Baltimore convention of iSuj, ne 
.was the choice of the Tennessee Democrats for the 
"Presidency. In 1861, when the purpose of the South- 
urn Democracy became apparent, he took a decided 
stand in favor of the Union, and held that " slavery 
must be held subordinate to the Union at whatever 
cost." He returned to Tennessee, and repeatedly 
imperiled his own life to protect the Unionists of 
Tennesee. Tennessee having seceded from the 
Union, President Lincoln, on March 4th, 1862, ap- 
pointed him Military Governor of the State, and he 
established the most stringent military rule. His 
numerous proclamations attracted wide attention. In 

1864, he was elected Vice-President of the United 
States, and upon the death of Mr. Lincoln, April 15, 

1865, becaine President. In a speech two days later 
he sa'd, " The American people must be taught, if 
they do not already feel, that treason is a crime and 
must be cunished ; that the Government will not 
always beat with its enemies ; that it is strong not 
only to protect, but to punish. * * Tlie peojjle 
must understand that it (treason) is the blackest of 
crimes, and will surely be punished." Yet his whole 
administration, the histor)' of which is so well known, 
was in utter itKonsistency with, and the most violent 



opposition to. the principles laid down in tliat speech. 

In bis loose policy of reconstruction and general 
amnesty, he was opix)sed by Congress; and he char- 
acterized Congress as a new rebellion, and Jawlessly 
defied it, in everything possible, to the utmost. In 
the beginniiig of 1868, on account of "high crimes 
and misdemeanors," the principal of which was the 
removal of Secretary Stanton, in violation of the Ten- 
ure of Office Act, articles of iinpeachraent were pre- 
ferred against him, and the trial began March 23. 

It was very tedious, continuing for nearly three 
months. A test article of the impeachment was at 
length submitted to the court for its action. It was 
certain that as the court voted upon that article so 
would it vote \x\)0\\ all. Thirty-four voices pronounced 
the President guilty. As a two-thirds vote was neces- 
sary to his condemnation, he was pronounced ac- 
quitted, notwithstanding the great majority against 
him. The change of one vote from the not guilty 
side would have sustained the impeachment. 

The President, for the remainder of his term, was 
but little regarded. He continued, though impotently, 
his conflict with Congress. His own party did not 
think it expedient to renominate him for the Presi- 
dency. The Nation rallied, with enthusiasm unpar- 
alleled since the days of Washington, around the name 
of Gen. Grant. Andrew Johnson was forgotten. 
The bullet of the assassin introduced him to the 
President's chair. Notwithstanding this, never was 
there presented to a man a better opportunity to im- 
mortalize his nam_e, and to win the gratitude of a 
nation. He failed utterly. He retired to his home 
in Greenville, Tenn., taking no very active part in 
polirics until 1875. On Jan. 26, after an exciting 
struggle, he was chosen by the Legislature of Ten- 
nessee, United States Senator in the forty-fourth Con- 
gress, and took his seat in that body, at the special 
session convened by President Grant, on the 5th of 
March. On the 27th of July, 1875, the ex-President 
made a visit to his daughter's home, near Carter 
Station, Tenn. When he started on his journey, he was 
apparently in his usual vigorous health, jut on reach- 
ing the residence of his child the following day, was 
stricken with paralysis, rendering him unconscious. 
He rallied occasionally, but finally passed away at 
2 A.M., July 31, aged sixty-seven years. His fun- 
eral was attended at Geenville, on the 3d of August, 
with every demonstration of respect. 




-/■- cY "-■^- 



EIGHTEENTH PRESIDENT. 




"m 




LYSSES S. GRANT, the 

eighteenth President of the 

j5 United States, was born on 

the 29th of April, 1822, of 

Christian parents, in a humble 

<§i^«JV:;;^^>^ home, at Point Pleasant, on the 







banks of the Ohio. Shortly after 
his father moved to George- 
town, Brown Co., O. In this re- 
mote frontier hamlet, Ulysses 
received a common-school edu- 
cation. At the age of seven- 
teen, in the year 1839, he entered 
the Milicary Academy at West 
Point. Here he was regarded as a 
solid, sensible young man of fair abilities, and of 
sturdy, honest character. He took respectable rank 
as a scholar. In June, 1843, he graduated, about the 
middle in his class, and was sent as lieutenant of in- 
fantry to one of the distant military posts in the Mis- 
souri Territory. Two years he past in these dreary 
solitudes, watching the vagabond and exasperating 
Indians. 

The war with Me.\ico came. Lieut. Grant was 
sent with his regiment to Corpus Christi. His first 
battle was at Palo Alto. There was no chance here 
for the exhibition of either skill or heroism, nor at 
Resacade la Palma, his second battle. At the battle 
of Monterey, his third engagement, it is said that 
he performed a signal service of daring and skillful 
horsemanship. His brigade had e.xhausted its am- 
munition. A messenger must be sent for more, along 
a route e.\[X)sed to the bullets of the foe. Lieut. 
Grant, adopting an expedient learned of the Ir.dians, 
grasped the mane of his horse, and hanging upon one 
side of the anir^al, ran the gauntlet in entire safety. 



From Monterey he was sent, with the fourth infantry, 
to aid Gen. Scott, at the siege of Vera Cruz. In 
preparation for the march to the city of Mexico, he 
was appointed quartermaster of his regiment. At the 
battle of Molino del Rey, he was promoted to a 
first lieutenancy, and was brevetted captain at Cha- 
pultepec. 

At the close of the Mexican War, Capt. Grant re- 
turned with his regiment to New York, and was again 
sent to one of the military posts on the frontier. The 
discovery of gold in California causing an immense 
tide of emigration to flow to the Pacific shores, Capt. 
Grant was sent with a battalion to Fort Dallas, in 
Oregon, for the protection of the interests of the im- 
migrants. Life was wearisome in those wilds. Capt. 
Grant resigned his commission and returned to the 
States; and having married, entered upon the cultiva- 
tion of a small farm near St. I^uis, Mo. He had but 
little skill as a famier. Finding his toil not re- 
munerative, he turned to mercantile life, entering into 
the leather business, with a younger brother, at Ga- 
lena, 111. This was in the year i860. As the tidings 
of the rebels firing on Fort Sumpter reached the ears 
of Capt. Grant in his counting-room, he said, — 
"Uncle Sam has educated me for the army: though 
I have served him through one war, I do not fe«l that 
I have yet repaid the debt. I am still ready lodisKliarge 
my obligations. I shall therefore buckle on my tword 
and see Uncle Sam through this war too." 

He went into the streets, raised a csnipany of vol- 
unteers, and led them as their captain to Springfield, 
the capital of the State, where their services were 
offered to Gov. Yates. The Governor, impressed by 
the zeal and straightforward executive ability of Capt. > 
Grant, gave him a desk in his office, to assist in the. 
volunteer organization that was being formed in the 
State in behalf of the Government. On the ic*'' of 



38 



ULYSSES S: GRANT. 



June, 1 86 1, Capt. Grant received a commission as 
Colonel of the Twenty-first Regiment of Illinois Vol- 
unteers. His merits as a West Point graduate, who 
had served for 15 years in the regular army, were such 
that he was soon promoted to the rank of Brigadier- 
iGeneral and was placed in command at Cairo. The 
irebels raised their banner at Paducah, near the mouth 
of the Tennessee River. Scarcely had its folds ap- 
peared in the breeze ere Gen. Grant was there. The 
rebels fled. Their banner fell, and the star and 
stripes were unfurled in its stead. 

He entered the service with great determination 
and immediately began active duty. This was the be- 
ginning, and until the surrender of Lee at Richmond 
he was ever pushing the enemy with great vigor and 
effectiveness. At Belmont, a few days later, he sur- 
prised and routed the rebels, then at Fort Henry 
won another victory. Then came the brilliant fight 
at Fort Donelson. The nation was electrified by the 
victory, and the brave leader of the boys in blue was 
immediately made a Major-General, and the military 
district of Tennessee was assigned to him. 

Like all great captains. Gen. Grant knew well how 
to secure the results of victory. He immediately 
pushed on to the enemies' lines. Then came the 
terrible battles of Pittsburg Landing, Corinth, and the 
siege of Vicksburg, where Gen. Pemberton made an 
unconditional surrender of the city with over thirty 
thousand men and one-hundred and seventy-two can- 
non. The fall of Vicksburg was by far the most 
severe blow which the rebels had thus far encountered, 
andooened up the Mississippi from Cairo to the Gulf. 

Gen. Grant was next ordered to co-operate with 
Gen. Banks in a movement upon Texas, and pro- 
ceeded to New Orleans, where he was thrown from 
his horse, and received severe injuries, from which he 
was laid up for months. He then rushed to the aid 
-af Gens. Rosecrans and Tliomas at Chattanooga, and 
by a wonderful series of strategic and technical meas- 
ures put the Union Army in fighting condition. Then 
followed the bloody battles at Chattanooga, Lookout 
Mountain and Missionary Ridg(", in which the rebels 
were routed with great loss. This won for him un- 
bounded praise in the North. On the 4th of Febru- 
ary, 1864, Congress revived the grade of lieutenant- 
general, and the rank was conferred on Gen. Grant. 
He repaired to Washington to receive his credentials 
and enter upon '.'if duties of his new office 



Gen. Grant decided as soon as he took charge of 
ihe army to concentrate the widely-dispersed National 
troops for an attack upon Richmond, the nominal 
capital of the Rebellion, and endeavor there to de- 
stroy the rebel armies which would be promptly as- 
sembled from all quarters for its defence. The whole 
continent seemed to tremble under the tramp of these 
majestic armies, rushing to the decisive battle field. 
Steamers were crowded with troops. Railway trains 
were burdened H'ith closely packed thousands. His 
plans were comprehensive and involved a series of 
campaigns, which were executed with remarkable en- 
ergy and ability, and were consummated at the sur- 
render of Lee, April 9, 1865. 

The war was ended. The Union was saved. The 
almost unanimous voice of the Nation declared Gen. 
Grant to be the most prominent instrument in its sal- 
vation. The eminent services he had thus rendered 
the country brought him conspicuously forward as the 
Republican candidate for the Presidential chair. 

At the Republican Convention held at Chicago. 
May 21, 1868, he was unanimously nominated for the 
Presidency, and at the autumn election received a 
majority of the popular vote, and 214 out of 294 
electoral votes. 

The National Convention of the Republican party 
which met at Philadelphia on the 5th of June, r872, 
placed Gen. Grant in nomination for a second term 
by a unanimous vote. The selection was emphati- 
cally indorsed by the people five months later, 292 
electoral votes being cast for him. 

Soon after the close of his second term. Gen. Grant 
started upon his famous trip around the world. He 
visited almost every country of the civilized world, 
and was everywhere received with such ovations 
and demonstrations of respect and honor, private 
as well as public and official, as were never before 
bestowed upon any citizen of the United States. 

He was the most prominent candidate before the 
Reijublican National Convention in 1880 for a re- 
nomination for President. He went to New York and 
embarked in the brokerage business under the firm 
nameof Grant & Ward. The latter proved a villain, 
wrecked Grant's fortune, and for larceny was sent to 
the penitentiary. Tiie General was attacked witli 
cancer in the throat, but suffered in his stoic-like 
manner, never complaining. He was re-instated as 
General of the Army and retired by Congress. The 
cancer soon finished its deadly work, and July 23, 
1885, the nation wenf in mourning over the death of 
" the illustrious General. 




6 ' -^^ -^ o 






^i^i'^y^ 



y'j-^J 



NINETEENTH PRESIDENT. 



91 




^ RUTHERFORD B* HAYES. ^ 





UTHERFORD B. HAYES, 

&■) the nineteentli President of 
4, ihe United States, was born in 
'^ Delaware, O., Oct. 4, 1822, al- 
most tliree months after the 
death of his father, Rutherford 
Hayes. His ancestry on both 
the paternal and maternal sides, 
was of the most honorable char- 
acter. It can be traced, it is said, 
as far back as 1280, when Hayes and 
Rutherford were two Scottish chief- 
tains, fighting side by side with 
Baliol, William Wallace and Robert 
Bruce. Both families belonged to the 
nobility, owned extensive estates, 
and had a large following. Misfor- 
:ane cv'.-r«king the family, George Hayes left Scot- 
.and in i6.So, and settled in Windsor, Conn. His son 
George wai born in Windsor, and remained there 
during his li7e. Daniel Hayes, son of the latter, mar- 
tied Sarah L>;e, and lived from the time of his mar- 
riage until his death in Simsbury, Conn. Ezekiel, 
son of Daniel, was horn in 1724. and was a manufac- 
turer of scythe;; at Bradford, Conn. Rutherford Hayes, 
son of Ezekiel at,d grandfather of President Hayes, was 
born in New Haven, in .\ugust, 1756. He was a farmer, 
blacksmith and tavern-keeper. He emigrated to 
Vermont at an uiiknown date, settling in Brattleboro, 
where he established a hotel. Here his son Ruth- 
erford Hayes the father of President Hayes, was 



born. He was married, in September, 1813, to Sophia 
Birchard, of Wilmington, Vt., whose ancestors emi- 
grated thither from Connecticut, they having been 
among the wealthiest and best famlies of Norwich. 
Her ancestry on the male side are traced back to 
1635, to John Birchard, one of the principal founders 
of Norwich. Botli of her grandfathers were soldiers 
in the Revolutionary War. 

The father of President Hayes was an industrious. 
frugal and opened-hearted man. He was of a me- 
chanical turn, and could mend a plow, knit a stocks 
ing, or do almost anything else that he choose to 
undertake. He was a member of the Church, active 
in all the benevolent enterprises of the town, and con- 
ducted his business on Christian principles. After 
the close of the war of 181 2, for reasons inexplicable 
to his neighbors, he resolved to emigrate to Ohio. 

The journey from Vermont to Ohio in that day 
when there were no canals, steamers, not railways, 
was a very serious affair. A tour of inspection was 
first made, occupying four months. Mr. Hayes deter 
mined to move to Delaware, where the family arrived 
in 1817. He died July 22, 1822, a victim of malarial 
fever, less than three months before the birth of the 
son, of whom we now write. Mrs. Hayes, in her sore be- 
reavement, found the support she so much needed in 
her brother Sardis, who had been a member of the 
household from the day of its departure from Ver- 
mont, and in an orphan girl whom she had adopted 
some time before as an act of charity. 

Mrs. Hayes at this period was very weak, and the 



I)Z 



MUTHERFORD B. HA YES. 



subject of this sketch was so feeble at birtli that he 
was not expected to Uve beyond a month or two at 
most. As the months went by he grew weaker and 
weaker, so that the neighbors were in the habit of in- 
quiring from time to time " if Mrs. Hayes' baby died 
last night." On one occasion a neighljor, who was on 
famihar terms with the family, after alluding to tlie 
hoy's big head, and the mother's assiduous care of 
him, said in a bantering way, " That's right ! Stick to 
him. You have got him along so far, and I shouldn't 
wonder if he would really come to something yet." 

" You need not laugh," said Mrs. Hayes. " S'ou 
vait and see. You can't tell but I shall make him 
President of the United States yet." The boy lived, 
in spite of the universal predictions of his speedy 
death; and when, in 1825, his older brother was 
drowned, he became, if possible, still dearer to his 
mother. 

The boy was seven years old before he went to 
school. His education, however, was not neglected. 
He probably learned as much from his mother and 
fister as he would have done at school. His sports 
were almost wholly within doors, his playmates being 
his sister and her associates-. These circumstances 
tended, no doubt, to foster that gentleness of dispo- 
sition, and that delicate consideration for the feelings 
of others, which are marked traits of his cliaracter. 

His uncle Sardis Birchard took the deepest interest 
hn his education ; and as the boy's health had im- 
proved, and he was making good progress in his 
studies, he proposed to send him to college. His pre- 
paration commenced with a tutor at home; but he 
was afterwards sent for one year to a jjrofessor in the 
Wesleyan University, in Middletown, Conn. He en- 
tered Kenyon College in 1838,31 the age of sixteen, 
and was graduated at the head of his class in 1842. 

Immediately after his graduation he began the 
study of law in the office of Thomas Sparrow, Esq., 
in Columbus. Finding his opportunities for study in 
Columbus somewhat limited, he determined to enter 
the Law School at Cambridge, Mass., where he re- 
mained two years. 

In 1845, after graduatmg at the Law School, he was 
admitted to the bar at Marietta, Ohio, and shortly 
afterward went into practice as an attorney-at-law 
with Ralph Y. Buckland, of Fremont. Here he re- 
mained three years, acquiring but a limited practice, 
and apparently unambitious of distinction in his pro- 
Cession. 

\n 1849 he nioved to Cincinnati, where his ambi- 
tion found a new stimulus. For several years, how- 
ever, his progress was slow. Two events, occurring at 
this period, had a powerful influence upon his subse- 
quent 'ife. One of these was his marrage with Miss 
Lucy Ware Webb, daughter of Dr. James Webb, of 
Chilicothe; the othei' was his introduction to the Cin- 
cinnati Literary Club, a body embracing among its 
members such meri as'^hief Justice Salmon fi^ Chase, 



Gen. John Pope, Gov. Edward F. Noyes, and many 
others hardly less distinguished in after life. The 
marriage was a fortunate one in every respect, as 
everybody knows. Not one of all the wives of our 
Presidents was more universally admired, reverenced 
and beloved than was Mrs. Hayes, and no one did 
more than she to reflect honor upon American woman- 
hood. The Literary CIud brought Mr. Hayes into 
constant association with young men of high char- 
acter and noble aims, and lured him to display y\\c 
qualities so long hidden by his bashfulneis anc! 
modesty. 

In 1856 he was nominated to the office of Judgj of 
the Court of Common Pleas; but he declined to a^. 
cept the nomination. Two years later, the office ol 
city solicitor becoming vacant, the City Co'incil 
elected him far the unexpired term. 

In 1861, when the Rebellion broke out, he was al 
tne zenith of his professional lif,. His rank at the 
bar was among the the first. But the news of the 
attack on Fort Sunipter found him eager to take lu 
arms for the defense of his country. 

His military record was bright and illustrious. In 
October, 1861, he was made Lieutenant-Colonel, and 
in August, 1862, promoted Colonel of the 79th Ohio 
regiment, but he refused to leave his old comrades 
and go among strangers. Subsequently, however, he 
was made Colonel of his old regiment. At the battle 
of Soutii Mountain he received a wound, and while 
faint and bleeding displayed courage and fortitude 
that won admiration from all. 

Col. Hayes was detached from his regiment, after 
his recovery, to act as Brigadier-General, and placed 
in command of the celebrated Kanawha division, 
and for gallant and meritorious services in the battles 
of Winchester, Fisher's Hill and Cedar Creek, he was 
promoted Brigadier-General. He was also brevetted 
Major-General, "forgallant and distinguished services 
during the campaigns of 1864, in AV'est Virginia." In 
the course of his arduous services, four horses were 
shot from under him, and he was wounded four times 

In 1864, Gen. Hayes was elected to Congress, from 
the Second Ohio District, which had long been Dem- 
ocratic. He was not present during the campaign, 
and after his election was importuned to resign his 
commission in the army; but he finally declared, " 1 
shall never come to Washington until I can come by 
the way of Richmond." He was re-elected in 1866. 

I;i 1867, (len Hayes was elected Governor of Ohio, 
over Hon. .Mien G. Thurman, a populai Democrat. 
In 1869 was re-eiected over George H. Pendleton. 
He was elected Governor for the third term in 1S75. 

In 1876 he was the standard bearer of the Repub- 
lican Party in the Presidential contest, and after a 
hard long contest was chosen President, and was in 
augurated Monday, March 5, 1875. He served his 
full term, not, h.cwever, with satisfaction to his party, 
but his admiimtiation was an average o.'X'; 



TiVENTIF.Tn PR/iSfDRNT. 



05 





•^^■^^Tv ii-. V -V. v^rV";,. ,* MP ^/itCTPv*;!-^ Hp~rfnr'i^„.c^fr^/;»T 










AMES A. CARFIEM), Iwcii- 
tieth President of the United 
Stales, was born Nov. 19, 
1831, in the woods of Orange, 
Cuyahoga Co., O His par- 
ents were Abrani and Eliza 
(Ballou) Garfield, both of New 
England ancestry and from fami- 
lies well known in the early his- 
tory of that section of our coun- 
y, but had moved to the Western 
Reserve, in Ohio, early in its settle- 
ment. 

The house in which James A. was 
born was not unlike the houses of 
lK)or Ohio farmers of that day. It 
, .ID about 20x30 feet, builtof logs, witli the spaces be- 
A/een the logs filled with clay. His father was a 
lard working farmer, and he soon had his fields 
jleared, an orchard planted, and a log barn built. 
The household comprised the father and mother and 
■heir four children — Mehetabel, 'I'liomas, Mary and 
'ames. In May, 1823, the father, from a cold con- 
. .-acted in helping to put out a forest fire, died. At 
(his time James was about eigliteen months old, and 
riiomas about ten years old. No one, perhaps, can 
iell how niucli James was indebted to his biother's 
(cil and self sacrifice during the twenty years suc- 
ceeding his father's death, but undoul)tedly very 
much. He now lives in Michigan, and the two sis- 
itrs live in Solon, O., near their birthplace. 

The early educational advantages young Garfield 
enjoyed were very limited, yet he made the most of 
ihem. He labored at farm work for others, did car- 
penter work, chopped wood, or did anything that 
would i)ring in a few dollars lo aid his widowed 
mother in he' struggles to keep the little family to- 



gether. Nor was Gen. Garfield ever ashamed of his 
origin, and he never forgot the friends of his strug- 
gling childhood, youth andmanliood, neither did they 
ever forget him. When in the highest seats of honor 
the humblest fiiend of his boyliood was as kindly 
greeted as ever. Tlie poorest laborer was sureof the 
sympathy of one who had known all the bitterness 
of want and the sweetness of bread earned by the 
sweat of tlie brow. He was ever the simple, plain, 
modest gentleman. 

The higliest ambition of young Garfield uniil hi 
was about sixteen years old was to be a captain of 
a vessel on Lake Erie. He was anxious to go aboard 
a vessel, wliich his mother strongly opposed. She 
finally consented to his going to Cleveland, with the 
understanding, however, that lie should try to obtair 
some otlier kind of employment. He walked all the 
way to Cleveland. This was liis first visit to the city 
.\fler making many applications for work, and trying 
to get aboard a lake vessel, and not meeting with 
success, he engaged as a driver for his cousin, Amos 
LetcJier, on the C)liio & Pennsylvania Canal. Here- 
mained at this wcnk but a short time when he wen 
home, and attended tlie seminar;- at Chester for 
about three years, when he entered Hiram and the 
Eclectic Institute, teaching a few terms of school in 
the meantime, and doing other work. This school 
was started by the Disciples of Christ in 1850, of 
which church he was then a member. He became 
janitor and bell-ringer in order to help pay his way 
He then became both teaciier and pupil. He soon 
" cxiiausted Hiram " and needed more ; hence, in the 
fall of 1854, he entered Williams College, from whi:h 
lie graduated in 1856, taking one of the highest ho .- 
ors of his class. He afterwards relumed to Hiram 
College as its Presit'ent. As above staled, he early 
united with the Christian or Diciples Church at 
Hiram, and was ever after a devoted, zealous mem- 
ber, often preaching in its jiulpit and places where 
he happened to be. Dr. Noah Porter, President of 
Yale College, says of him in reference to liis reiigiorj: 



d« 



/AMES A. GARFIELD. 



" President Garfield was more than a man of 
strong moral and religious convictions. His whole 
history, from boyhood to the last, shows that duty to 
man and to God, and devotion to Christ and life and 
faith and spiritual commission were controlling springs 
of his being, and to a more than usual degree. In 
my judgment there is no more interesting feature of 
his character than his loyal allegiance to the body of 
Christians in which he was trained, and the fervent 
sympathy which he ever showed in their Christian 
communion. Not many of the few 'wise and mighty 
and noble who are called' show a similar loyalty to 
the less stately and cultured Christian communions 
in which they have been reared. Too often it is true 
that as they step upward in social and political sig- 
nificance they step upward from one degree to 
another in some of the mariy types of fashionable 
Christianity. President Garfield adhered to the 
church of his mother, tlie church in which he was 
trained, and in which he served as a pillar and an 
evangelist, and yet witli the largest and most unsec- 
larian charity for all 'who loveour Lord in sincerity.'" 

Mr. Garfield was united in marriage with Miss 
Lucretia Rudolph, Nov. ii, 1858, who proved herself 
worthyas thewifeof one whom all the world loved and 
mourned. To them were born seven cliildren, five of 
whom are still living, four boys and one girl. 

Mr. Garfield made his first political speeches in 1S56, 
in Hirain and the neighboring villages, and three 
years later he began to speak at county mass-meet- 
ings, and became the favorite speaker wherever he 
was. During this year he was elected to the Ohio 
Senate. He also began to study law at Cleveland, 
and in i86r was admitted to the bar. The great 
Rebellion broke out in the early part of this year, 
and Mr. Garfield at once resolved to fight as he had 
talked, and enlisted to defend the old flag. He re- 
ceived his commission as Lieut. -Colonel of the Forty- 
second Regiment of Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Aug. 
14, 1861. He was immediately put into active ser- 
vice, and before he had ever seen a gun fired in action, 
was placed in command of four regiments of infantr)- 
and eight companies of cavalry, charged with the 
work of driving out of liis native State the officer 
; Humphrey Marshall) reputed to be the ablest of 
those, not educated to war whom Kentucky liad given 
to the Rebellion. This work was bravely and speed- 
ily accomplished, although against great odds. Pres- 
ident Lincoln, on his success commissioned him 
Brigadier-General, Jan. ro, 1862; and as "he had 
been the youngest man in the Ohio Senate two years 
before, so now he was the youngest General in the 
army." He was with Gen. Buell's army at Shiloh, 
Jn its operations around Corinth and its march through 
Alabama. He was tlien detailed as a member of the 
General Court-Martial for the trial of Gen. Fitz-John 
Porter. He was then ordered to report to Gen. Rose- 
crans, and was assigned to the "Chief of Staff." 

The military b^story of Gen. Garfield closed with 



his brilliant services at Chickamauga, where he won 
the stars of the Major-General. 

Without an effort on his part Get? Garfield was 
elected to Congress in the fall of 1862 from the 
Nineteenth District of Ohio. This section of Ohio 
had been represented in Congiess for sixty year* 
mainly by two men — Elisha \\ hittlesey and Joshui. 
R. Giddings. It was not witliout a struggle that he 
resigned his place in the army. At the time he en- 
tered Congress he was the youngest member in that 
body. Thert; he remained by successive re- 
elections until he was elected President in 1880. 
Of his labors in Congress Senator Hoar says : " Since 
the year 1864 you cannot think of a question whici. 
has beeir debated in Congress, or discussed before & 
tribunel of the American people, in regard to whicfc. 
you will not find, if you wish mstruction, the argu« 
ment on one side stated, in almost every instance 
better than by anybody else, in some speech made in 
the House of Representatives or on the hustings by 
Mr. Garfield." 

UixDn Jan. 14, 1880, Gen. Garfield was elected to 
the U. S. Senate, and on the eighth of June, of the 
same year, was nominated as the candidate of his 
party for President at the great Chicago Convention. 
He was elected in the following November, and on 
March 4, iSSi, was inaugurated. Probably no ad- 
ministration ever opened its existence under brighter 
auspices than that of President Garfield, and every 
day it grew in favor with the people, and by the first 
of July he had completed all the initiatory and pre- 
liminary work of his administration and was prepar- 
ing to leave the city to meet his friends at Williams 
College. While on his way and at the depot, in com- 
pany with Secretary Blaine, a man stepped behind 
him, drew a revolver, and fired directly at his back. 
The President tottered and fell, and as he did so the 
assassin fired a second shot, the buflet cutting the 
left coat sleeve of his victim, but in.licting nofurthei 
injury. It has been very truthfully said that this was 
" the shot that was heard round the world " Never 
before in the history of the Nation had anything oc- 
curred which so nearly froze the blood of the people 
for the moment, as this awful deed. He was smit- 
ten on the brightest, gladdest day of all his life, and 
was at the summit of his power and hope. For eighty 
days, all during the hot months of July and August, 
he lingered and suffered. He, however, remained 
master of himself till the last, and by his magnificent 
bearing was teaching the country and the world the 
noblest of human lessons — how to live grandly in the 
very clutch of death. Great in life, he was surpass- 
ingly great in death. He passed serenely away Sept. 
19, 1883, at Elberon, N. J., on the very bank of the 
ocean, where he had been taken shortly previous. The 
world wept at his death, as it never had done on the 
death of any other man who had ever lived upon it. 
The murderer was duly tried, found guilty and exe- 
cuted, in one year after he committed the foul deed. 




<€-U V ,) 



TWENTY. FIRST PRESIDENT. 



99 




CM ( !i;75'H W, U A. A !^'I' ! ( (I U» if 







Kip- 




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HESTER A. ARTHUR, 

twenty-first Presi'^.^m of the 

United States was born in 

Franklin Cour ty, Vermont, on 

_^ thefifthofOdobor, 18-50, aiidis 

tl.f/ the oldest of a family of two 

sons and five daughters. His 

father was the Rev. Dr. William 

Arthur, a BaptislcJ ,rgyman, who 

emigrated to tb.s country from 

the county Ant.im, Ireland, in 

his i8th year, and died in 1875, in 

Newtonville, ncai Albany, after a 

long and successful ministry. 

Young Arthur was educated at 
Union College, S( hen»"ctady, where 
he excelled in all his studies. Af- 
ter his graduation he taught schoo! 
in Vermont for two years, and at 
the expiration cf that time came to 
New York, with $500 in his pocket, 
and eiitered the office of ex-Judge 
E. D. Culver as student. After 
I being admitted to the bar he formed 
a partnership with his intimate friend and room-mate, 
Henry D. Gardiner, with the intention of practicing 
in the West, and for three months they roamed about 
in the Western States in search of an eligible site, 
but in the end returned to New York, where they 
hung out their shingle, and entered upon a success^ 
ful career almost from the start. General Arthur 
joon afterward nQArr''d the daughter of Lieutenant 



Herndon, of the United States Navy, who was lost at 
sea. Congress voted a gold medal to his widow in 
recognition of the bravery he displayed on that occa- 
sion. Mrs. Arthur died shortly before Mr. Arthur's 
nomination to the Vice Presidency, leaving two 
children. 

Gen. Arthur obtained considerable legal celebrity 
in his first great case, the famous Lemmon suit, 
brought to recover possession of eight slaves who had 
been declared free by Judge Paine, of the Superior 
Court of New York City. It was in 1852 that Jon. 
athan Lemmon, of Virginia, went to New York with 
his slaves, intending to ship them to Texas, when 
they were discovered and freed. The Judge decided 
that they could not be held by the owner under the 
Fugitive Slave Law. A howl of rage went up from 
the South, and the Virginia Legislature authorized the 
Attorney General of that State to assist in an appeal. 
Wm. M. Evarts and Chester A. Arthur were employed 
to represent the People, and they won their case, 
which then went to the Supreme Court of the United 
States. Charles O'Conor here espoused the cause 
of the slave-holders, but lie too was beaten by Messrs 
Evarts and Arthur, and a long step was taken toward 
the emancipation of the black race. 

Another great service was rendered by General 
Arthur in the same cause in 1856. Lizzie Jennings, 
a respectable colored woman, was put off a Fourth 
Avenue car with violence after she had paid her fare. 
General Arthur sued on her behalf, and secured a 
verdict of $500 damages. The next day the compa- 
ny issued an order to admit colored persons to ride 
on their cars, and the other car companies quickly 



(00 



CHESTER A. ARTHUR. 



followed iheir example. Before that the Sixth Ave- 
nue Company ran a few special cars for colored per- 
ions and the other lines refused to let tliem ride at all. 

General Arthur was a delegate to the Convention 
at Saratoga that founded the Republican party. 
Previous to the war he was Judge-Advocate of the 
Second Brigade of the State of New York, and Gov- 
ernor Morgan, of that State, appointed hmi Engineer- 
in-Chief of his staff. In 1861, he was made Inspec- 
tor General, and soon afterward became Quartermas- 
ter-General. In each of these offices he rendered 
great service to the Government during the war. At 
the end of Governor Morgan's term he resumed the 
practice of the law, forming a partnership with Mr. 
Ransom, and then Mr. Phelps, the District Attorney 
of New York, was added to the firm. The legal prac- 
tice of this well-known firm was very large and lucra- 
tive, each of the gendemen composing it were able 
lawyers, and possessed a splendid local reputation, if 
not indeed one of national extent. 

He always took a leading part in State and city 
politics. He was appointed Collector of the Port of 
New York by President Grant, Nov. 21 1872, to suc- 
ceed Thomas Murphy, and held the office. until July, 
20, T878, when he was succeeded by Collector Merritt. 

Mr. Arthur was nominated on the Presidential 
ticket, with Gen. James A. Garfield, at the famous 
National Republican Convention held at Chicago in 
June, 1880. This was perhaps the greatest political 
convention that ever assembled on thecontinent. It 
was comfxased of the leading politicians of the Re- 
publican party, all able men, and each stood firm and 
fought vigorously and with signal tenacity for their 
respective candidates that were before the conven- 
tion for the nomination. Finally Gen. Garfield re- 
ceived the nomination for President and Gen. Arthur 
for Vice-President. The campaign which followed 
was one of the most animated known in the history of 
our country. Gen. Hancock, the standard-bearer of 
the Democratic party, was a popular man, and his 
party made a valiant fight for his election. 

Finally the election came and the country's choice 
.vas Garfield and Arthur. They were inaugurated 
.vlavch 4, 1 88 1, as President and Vice-President. 
•\ few months only had passed ere the newly chosen 
President was the victim of the assassin's bullet. Then 
came terrible weeks of suffering, — those moment* of 
anxious suspense, wher the hearts of all civilized na- i 



tions were throbbing in unison, longing for the re- 
covery of the noble, the good President. The remark- 
able patience that he manifested during those hours 
and weeks, and even months, of the most terrible suf- 
fering man has often been called up)on to endure, was 
seemingly more than human. It was certainly God- 
like. During all this period of deepest anxiety Mr. 
Arthur's every move was watched, and be it said to hi? 
credit that his every action displayed only an earnest 
desire that the suffering Garfield might recover, to 
serve the remainder of the term he had so auspi- 
ciously begun. Not a selfish feeling was manifested 
in deed or look of this man, even though the most 
honored ]X)sition in the world was at any moment 
likely to fall to him. 

At last God in his mercy relieved President Gar- 
field from further suffering, and the world, as nevei 
before in its history over the death of any othei 
man, wept at his bier. Then it became the duty of 
the Vice President to £.ssume the responsibilitii s 0I 
the high office, and he took the oath in New ^'o!k. 
Sept. 20, 188 1. The position was an embarr .ssii;;: 
one to him, made doubly so from the facts that all 
eyes were on him, anxious to know what he w(j Id do, 
what policy he would pursue, and who he would se- 
lect as advisers. The duties of the office had ', ccn 
greatly neglected during the President's long illiu-. , 
and many important measures were to be iinniediaiely 
decided by him ; and still farther to embarrass him hi 
did not fail to realize under what circLmistan< e> he 
became President, and knew the feelings of man) on 
this point. Under these trying circumstances Presidci t 
Arthur took the reins of the Government in his o« 
hands; and, as embarrassing as were the condition -;' 
affair.' he happily surprised the nation, acting sc 
w:sei\ hat but few criticised lis administration. 
He served the nation well and faithfully, until the 
close of his administration, March 4, 1885, and was 
a popular candidate before his party for a second 
term. His name was ably presented before the con- 
vention at Chicago, and was received with great 
favor, and doubtless but for the personal popularity 
of one of the opposing candidates, he would have 
been selected as the standard-bearer of his party 
for another campaign. He retired to private life car- 
rying with him the best wishes of the American peo- 
ple, whom he had served in a manner sn'isfactorv 
to t.hem and with credit to himself. 




l^i^rL^y/ 



Uc^ut^CO^Ly^-lC 



TWENTY-SECOND PRE^^IDF-NT. 



103 




^77\YM!\>7?i^ 



"'"' ifc'^'— '-J-'""^^.g,^"'"',3e. '•'■<^.fc'^"^^ ri'^'"'"' 
n^ "V-^y..-* 'B' 'Viv'^ "-5' '..o« V<fii>. "•vi.-n ^•^(v-» 









o<ro - 



"oOo" 



TEPHEN GROVER CLEVE- 
LAND, the twenty- second Pres- 
ident of the United States, was 
born in 1837, in tlie obscure 
town of Caldwell, Essex Co., 
N. J., and in a little two-and-a- 
iialf-story white house which is still 
standing, characteristically to mark 
'^ '^ the hu;nble birth-place of one of 
America's great men in striking con- 
trast with the Old World, where all 
men high in office must be high in 
origin and born in the cradle of 
wealth. When the subject of this 

r sketch was three years of age, his 

father, who was a Presbyterian min- 
ister, with a large family and a small salary, moved, 
by way of the Hudson River and Erie Canal, to 
Fayetteville, in search of an increased income and a 
'arger field of work. Fayetteville was then the most 
straggling of country villages, about five miles from 
Pompey Hill, where Governor Seymour was born. 

At the last mentioned place young Grover com- 
menced going to school in the "good, old-fashioned 
»v:iy."and presumably distinguished himself after the 
manner of all village boys, in doing the things he 
ought not to do. Such is the distinguishing trait of 
all geniuses and independent thinkers. When he 
arrived at the age of 14 ye.irs, he had outgrown the 
capacity of the village school and expressed a most 



emphatic desire to be sent to an academy. To this 
his father decidedly objected. .Academies in those 
days cost money; besides, his father wanted Iiiin to 
become self-supporting by the (juickest possible 
means, and this at that time in Fayette 'ille seemed 
to be a position in a country store, wher« his father 
and the large family on his hands had considerable 
inlliience. Grover was to be paid $50 for his services 
the first year, and if he proved trustworthy he was to 
receive $100 the second year. Here the lad com- 
menced his career us salesman, and in two years he 
had earned so good a reputation for trustworthiness 
that his employers desired to retain him for an in. 
definite length of time. Otherwise he did not ex- 
hibit as yet any particular " flashes of genius " or 
eccentricities of talent. He was simply a good boy. 
But instead of remaining with this firm in Fayette- 
ville, he went with the family in their removal to 
Clinton, where he had an opportunity of attending a 
high school. Here he industriously pursued his 
studies until the family removed with him to a point 
on Black River known as the " Holland Patent," a 
village of 500 or 600 people, 15 miles north of Uiica, 
M. Y. At this place his father died, after preaching 
but three .Sundays. This event broke up the family, 
and Grover set out for New York City to accept, at a 
small salary, the position of ' under-teacher " in an 
asylum for the blind. He taught faithfully for two 
years, and although he obtained a good reputation in 
this capacity, he concluded that teaching was not his 



I04 



S. GROVE R CLEVELAND. 



calling for life, a4id, reversing the traditional order, 
he left the city to seek his fortune, instead of going 
to a city. He first thought of Cleveland, Ohio, as 
there was some charm in that name for him; but 
before proceeding to that place he ■vtwK to Buffalo to 
tsk the advice of his uncle, Lewis F. Allan, a noted 
stock-breeder of tliat place. Tlie latter did not 
speak enthusiastically. "What is it you want to do, 
my boy."'" he asked. "Well, sir, I want to study 
law," was the reply, "Good gracious!" remarked 
th* old gentleman ; " do you, indeed .'' What ever put 
that into your head? How much money have you 
got?" "Well, sir, to tell the truth, I haven't got 
any. 

After a long consultation, his uncle offered him a 
place temporarily as assistant herd-keeper, at ^50 a 
year, while he could "look around." One day soon 
afterward he boldly walked into the office of Rogers, 
Bowen & Rogers, of Buffalo, and told Jiem what he 
wanted. A number of young men were already en- 
gaged in the office, but Grover's persistency won, and 
tie was finally permitted to come as an office boy and 
Have the use of the law library, for the nominal sum 
of $3 or $4 a week. Out of this he had to pay for 
his board and washing. Tiie walk to and from his 
;uncle's was a long and rugged one; and, although 
the first winter was a memorably severe one, his 
shoes were out of repair and his overcoat — he had 
none — yet he was nevertheless prompt and regular. 
On the first day of his service here, his senior em- 
ployer threw down a copy of Blackstone before him 
with a bang that made the dust fly, saying "That's 
where they all begin." A titter ran around the little 
circle of clerks and students, as they thought that 
was enough to scare young Grover out of his plans ; 
out in due time he mastered that cumbersome volume. 
Then, as ever afterward, however, Mr. Cleveland 
exhibited a talent for executiveness rather than for 
chasing principles through all their metaphysical 
possibilities. " Let us quit talking and go and do 
it," was practically his motto. 

The first public office to which Mr. Cleveland was 
elected was that of Sheriff of Erie Co., N. Y., in 
which Buffalo is situated; and in such capacity it fell 
io his duty to inflict capital jiW-ishment upon two 
caiminals. In 1881 he was elected Mayor of the 
City of Buffalo, on the Democratic ticket, with es- 
p«cial reference to the bringing about certain reforms 



in the administration of the municipal affairs of that 
city. In this office, as well as that of Sheriff, his 
performance of duty has generally been considered 
fair, with possibly a few exceptions which were fer- 
reted out and magnified during the last Presidential 
campaign. As a specimen of his plain language in 
a veto message, we quote fiom one vetoing an iniqul 
tous street-cleaning contract: "This is a time fov 
plain speech, and my objection to your action shall 
be plainly stated. I regard it as the culmination of 
a mos bare-faced, impudent and shameless scheme 
to betray the interests of the people and to worse 
than squander the people's money." The New York 
Sun afterward very highly commended Mr. Cleve- 
land's administration as Mayor of Buffalo, and there- 
upon recommended him for Governor of the Empire 
State. To the latter office he was elected in 1882, 
and his administration of the affairs of State was 
generally satisfactory. The mistakes he made, if 
any, were made very public throughout the nation 
after he was nominated for President of the United 
States. For this high office he was nominated July 
II, 1884, by the National Democratic Convention at 
Chicago, when other competitors were Thomas F. 
Bayard, Roswell P. Flower, Thomas A. Hendricks, 
Benjamin F. Butler, Allen G. Thurman, etc.; and he 
was elected by the people, by a majority of about a 
thousand, over the brilliant and long-tried Repub- 
lican statesman, James G. Blaine. President Cleve- 
land resigned his office as Governor of New York in 
January, 1885, in order to prepare for his duties as 
the Chief E.xecutlve of the United States, in which 
capacity his term commenced at noon on the 4th ol 
March, 1885. 

The silver question precipitated a controversy 
between those who were in favor of the continu- 
ance of silver coinage and those who were opposed, 
Mr. Cleveland answering for the latter, even before 
his inauguration. 

On June 2, 1886, President Cleveland married 
Frances, daughter of his deceased friend and 
partner, Oscar Folsom, of the Buffalo Bar. Their 
union has been blessed by the birth of one daugh- 
ter, Ruth. In the campaign of 188S, President 
Cleveland was renominated by his party, but the 
Republican candidate. Gen. Benjamin Harrison, 
was victorious. In the nominations of 1892 these 
two candidates for the highest position in the gift 
of the people were again pitted against each other 
and President Cleveland was victorious by an 
overwhelming majority. 




^'dj2ycu t^yi 



,::Z^7^'/\.-U<^-(^'--^^ 



TWENTY-THIRD PRESIDENT. 



IvJ 





^ri a:i^mson» 



T^^zi^^^^^i^ 



«B»O..@^X@"0>|i V » 




•ENJAMIN HARRISON, th« 
twenty-tliird I'lusiilent, is 
tlie descendant of one of the 
historical families of this 
country. The head of the 
family was a Major General 
Harrison, one of Oliver 
Cromwell's trusted follow- 
ers and fighters. In the zenith of Crom- 
well's power it became th>, duty of this 
Harrison to participate ui tue trial of 
Charles I, and afterward tc sign the 
death warrant of the king. He subse- 
quently paid for this willi his life, being 
hung Oct. 13, 1660. His descendants 
came to America, and the next of the 
family that apjiears in history is Benja- 
min Harrison, of Virginia, great-grand- 
fathe." of the suljject of this sketch, and 
after whom he was named. Benjjunin Harrison 
was a member of the Continental Congress during 
the years 1774-.5-C, and was one of the original 
signers of the Declaration of Independence. He 
wa three times elected Governor of Virginia- 
'^en William Henry Harrison, the son of the 



distinguished patriot of the BeTolntion, after a. sno- 
cessful career as a soldier during the War of 1812, 
and with-a clean record as Governor of the North- 
western Territory, was elected President of the 
United States in 1840. His 2araer was cut short 
by death within one mouth .^fter Ins mruguration. 
President Harrison wa^ born at Norili Bend. 
Hamilton Co., Ohio, Aug. SO, 1833 His life up to 
the time of his graduation by the Miami University, 
at Oxford, Ohio, was the uneventful one of a coun- 
tiy lad of a familj' of small means. His father was 
able to give him a good education, and nothing 
more. He became engaged while at college to th3 
daughter of Dr. Scott, Principal of a female schoo 
at Oxford. After graduating he determined to en- 
ter upon the study of the law. He went to Cin 
cinnati and then read law for two years. At the 
expiration of that time young Harrison received tiy. 
only inheritance of his life ; his aunt dying left bin; 
a lot valued at $800. He regarded this legacy as a 
fortune, and decided to get married at once, »j»ke 
this money and go to some Eastern town an . be 
gin the practice of law. He sold bis lot, and with 
the money in his pocket, he started out wita his 
young wife to 6gb.t for a place in thu world- Kn 



108 



BENJAMIN HARRISONS 



decided to go to Indianapolis, which was eyen at 
trat time a town of promise. He met with slight 
I'licouragement at first, making scarcely anything 
the first year. He worked diligently, applying him- 
self closely to his calling, built up an extensive 
practice and took a leading rank in the legal pro- 
lession. He is the father of two children. 

In 186C Mr. Harrison was nominated for the 
position of Supreme Court Reporter, and then be- 
gan his experience as a stump speaker He can- 
vassed the State thoroughly, and was elected by a 
handsome majority. In 18G2 he raised the 17th 
Indiana Infantry, and was chosen its Colonel. His 
regiment was composed of *:he rawest of material, 
out Col. Harrison employed all his time at first 
mastering military tactics and drilUng his men, 
when he therefore came to move toward the East 
trith Sherman his regiment was one of the best 
'Irilled and organized in the army. At Resaca he 
especially distinguished himself, and for his bravery 
at Peachtree Creek he was made a Brigadier Gen- 
oral, Gen. Hooker speaking of him in the most 
■•■omplimentary terms. 

During the absence of Gen. Harrison in the field 
tlie Supreme Court declared the oflice of the Su- 
premo Court Reporter vacant, and another person 
was elected to the position. From the time of leav- 
ing Indiana with his regiment until tiie fall oi 18G4 
he had taken no le.ave of absence, but having been 
nominated that year for the same office, he got a 
thirty-d.iy leave of absence, and during that time 
Doade a brilliant canvass ot the State, and was elected 
for another terra. He then started to rejoin Sher- 
man, but on the way w.as stricken down with scarlet 
',ever, and after a most trying siege made his way 
to the front in time to participate in the closing 
incidents of the war 

In 1868 Gen. Harrison declined >'c-election as 
;€porter, and resumed the practice of law Ir. 1876 
De was a candidate for Governor, Although de- 
eated, the brilhant campaign h^. i.vade won iorhim 
.a National reputation, and he was inuch sought^ es- 
pecial.y in tiie East, to make speeches. In 1880, 
«is usual, he took an active part in i<ae campaign, 
uad VfW. elected to the "Jnited States Senate. Here 
ue set-ved six years, anc* r.is known as one c tiie 
tbiest LUCQ, bast lawyer' u.Qd strongest debaters in 



that body. With the expiration of his .Srnaioniii 
term he returned to tlie practice of his profession, 
becoming the head of one of tlie strongest firms in 
the State. 

The political campaign of 1888 was one of the 
most memorabk^ in the history of our country. Tlie 
convention whicli assembled in Chicago in .June anci 
named Mr. Harrison as the chief standard bearer 
of the Republican party, was great in eveiy partic- 
ular, and on this account, and the attitude it as. 
sumed upon the vital questions of: tlie day, chief 
among whieli was the tariff, awoke a deep interest 
in the campaign throughout the Nation. Shortly 
after the nomination delegations began to visit Mr. 
Harrison at Indianapolis, his home. This move- 
ment became popular, and from all sections of the 
country societies, clubs and delegations journeyed 
thither to pay their respects to the distinguished 
statesman. The popularity of these was greatly 
increased on account of the remarkable speeches 
made by Mr. Harrison. He spoke daily all through 
the Slimmer and autumn to these visiting delega- 
tions, and so varied, masterly and eloquent were 
his speeches that they at once placed him in the 
foremost rank of American orators and statesnic!;. 

On account of his eloquence as a speaker and hi." 
power as a debater, he w.as called upon at an un- 
commonly early age to take part in the ciisoussior 
of the great questions that then began t j agitato 
the country. He was an iniconi promising ant: 
slavery man, and was niatched against stmie or iLe 
most eminent Denn.cratic si)eakcrs of his Stsitv, 
No man who felt tlie touch of his blade da 'red i, 
be pitted with him again. With all his e'oq-ence 
.as an orator he never spoke for oratorical etfect., 
but iiis words alw.ays went like bullels to the mark 
He is purely American in his ideas and is a spier 
did tj'pe of the American statesman. G :f ted witl. 
quick perception, n logical mind and a ready tcmgue, 
he is one of the most distinguished iin[)romptu 
speakers in the Nation. Man}' of these sjieeches 
sparkled with the rarest of eloquence and contained 
arguments of greatest weight. IMauy of his terse 
statements have already become aplK)risms. Origl ■ 
nal in tliought precise i:i logic, terse in statement, 
ye*: withal faultless in eloquence, hi' is recognized as 
the sound statesman and briii Ian orator c tnc day 



(cg^^ 



^^ 




4.^ 



• '^j® 



Miiskegron and Ottawa Counties, 



MICHIGAN. 








INXRODUQT^ORY. 








*\ HE time has arrived when it 
becomes the duty of the 
people of this county to per- 
petuate tlie numes of their 
pioneers, to furnish a record 
of their early settlement, 
and relate the story of their 
progress. The civihzation of our 
day, the enlightenment of the age 
and the duty that men of the pres- 
ent time owe to their ancestors, to 
themselves and to their posterity, 
demand that a record of their lives 
and deeds should be made. In bio- 
graphical history is found a power 
^j'Xx ^-^ to instruct man by precedent, to 
*W^«pWs* enliven the mental faculties, and 
^ ^ to waft down the river of time a 

safe vessel in which the names and actions of the 
people who contributed to raise this country from its 
primitive state may be preserved. Surely and rapidly 
the great and aged men, who in their ])rime entered 
the wilderness and claimed the virgin soil as their 
heritage, are passing to tlieir graves. The number re- 
maining who can relate the incidents of tlie first days 
Df settlement is becoming small indeed, so that an 
actual necessity exists for tlie collection and preser- 
vation of events without delay, before ail the early 
settlers are cut down by the scythe of Time. 

To be forgotten has been the great dread of mankind 
from remotest ages. All will be forgotten soon enougli, 
in spite of their best works and the most earnest 
efforts of their friends to perserve tlie memory of 
their lives. The means employed to prevent oblivion 
and to perpetuate their memory has been in propor- 
tion *o the amount of intelligence they possessed. 
Th'; pyramids of Egypt were built to perpetuate tlic 
names and deeds of their great rulers. Tiie exhu- 
mations made by the archeologists of Egypt from 
buried Memphis indicate a desire of those people 



to perpetuate the memory of their achievements 
The erection of the great obeHsks were for ti^e same 
purpose. Coining down to a later period, we find the 
Greeks and Romans erecting mausoleums and monu- 
ments, and carving out statues to chronicle theii 
great acliievements and carry them down the ages. 
It is also evident that tlie Mound-bu'lders, in piling 
up their great mounds of earth, liad but tiiis idea — 
to leave souietliing to sliow tii.it they had lived. All 
tiiese works, though many ot them costly in tlie ex- 
treme, give i)ut a faint idea of the lives and cliarac- 
ters of those whose memory they were intended to 
perpetuate, and scarcely anvthing of the masses o< 
the people that then lived. The great pyramids and 
some of the obelisks remain objects only of curiosity; 
the mausoleums, monuments and statues are crum- 
bling into dust. 

It was left to modern ages to establish an intelli- 
gent, undecaying, immutable method of perpetuating 
a full history — immutable in that it is almost un- 
limited in extent and perpetual in its action; and 
this is through the art of printing. 

To the present generation, however, we are in- 
debted for the introduction of the admirable system 
of local biography. By this system every man, though 
he has not achieved what the world calls greatness, 
has the means to perpetuate his life, his history, 
through the coming ages. 

The scythe of Time cuts down all ; nothing of the 
physical man is left. The monument which his chil- 
dren or friends may erect to his memory in the ceme. 
tery will crumble into dust and pass away; but his 
life, his achievements, tlie work he has accomplished, 
which otherwise would be forgotten, is perpetuated 
by a record of this kind. 

To preserve the lineaments of our companions we 
engrave their portraits, for the same reason we col- 
lect the attainable facts of their history. Nor do we 
thir.k it necessary, a-; we speak only tiuth of them, to 
wait until they are dead or until those who know 
them are g')ne: to do thi-i we are a-.li.imed only to 
publish t > the woild the history of those whose live« 
are unwc'thy of uublic record 







/Q^l_^ X^ )2y^-r^- 



^^im^-^ 




BIOGRAPHICAL. H i;*- 






iWi_^,^ON. HENRY II. HOLT. Conspieuous 
'^~^ among the progressive and inlluential men 
of Michigan whom it is a privilege to 
know and a pleasure to honor, stands the 
name of this gentleman, who won an extended 
fame through his ellicient and lionorable service 
as Lieutenant-Oovernor of tiiis State. His life of 
more than three-score years lias been a Inisy and 
eventful one, filled with good works and public- 
spirited deeds, and now, as the shades of evening 
gather and he descends into the twilight of life's 
brief da}', he can recall the past with pride and 
look forward to the future with hope. The events 
of his career, briefly narrated below, speak more 
eloquently than words of the energy, uprightness, 
keen discrimination and unwavering Uiyalty to 
the interests (jf his fellow-citizens which have 
characterized his every act. 

A native of Xew York, the subject of this notice 
was born in Camden, Oneirla County, March 27, 
1831. His father, Henry Holt, was born in Chap- 
lin, Conn., in 180.3, and, removing to Xew York 
State alxnit 18.'i(), engaged in agricultural pursuits 
there until 18,52, when, accompanied by his fam- 
ily', he came to Michigan and settled in Kent 
County. Upon a farm he purchased there he has 
ever since lived; and now in his old age he en- 
joys the fruits of his early labors, being the owner 
of one of the finest farms in the .State. 

The mother of our subject was Lorancy, daugh- 
ter of Philip "\V. Potter, a farmer of Herkimer 



County, N. Y., whose paternal ancestor of the 
seventh generation, Robert Potter, came from 
England in lfi28 and settled iu Salem, Mass., 
whence ten years later he removed to Rhode Is- 
land, becoming one of the first settlers of that 
State. A grandson of Robert, Fisher Potter, mar- 
ried Mary, daughter of Mercy Williams (who was 
a daughter of the famous Roger Williams, founder 
of the Rhode Island Colony) b^- her second hus- 
band. Samuel Windsor. Our sul)jcct, therefore, is 
a lineal descendant of this branch of the Williams 
and Potter families on his mother's side. Mrs. 
Holt died April 22, 18.'io, when twenty-seven years 
old. 

In his childhood years Ileniy II. Holt attended 
the district school. In 1848 he continued his 
studies at Fairfield Academy, and subsetnicnlly 
spent one year at Christ's Church Hall, in Pomfret, 
Conn. During the year 18,52 he aecumpauied his 
father to Michigan, and continued for three years 
the profession of a teacher, which he had com- 
menced previously. In 18')5 he entered upon his 
legal studies at a law school in Poiiglikeepsie, 
N. Y., where he remained for one j'ear. Later he 
conducted his studies in the I'nion Law College, 
at Cleveland, Ohio, from which he was graduated 
with the degree of Bachelor of Laws, and was ad- 
mitted to practice at the I5ar in .luly, 1857, Hon. 
David Tod, afterward (iovernor of the State, be- 
ing at that time President of the institution. 

Returning to Jlichigan, Mr. Holt was admitted 



118 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



to practice at Grand Rapids by Hon. George 
Mailin, wlio at lliat time was,Tufl<Te of the Circuit 
Court, and subsequently Cliief-Justice of Uie Slate 
Supreme Court. In May, 1858, Mr. Holt came to 
Muskegon, and in tlie fall of that year was elected 
Prosecuting Attorney of Ottawa County, wliich 
then included all the territory now embraced in 
Muskegon and Ottawa Counties. In 18.59 Mus- 
kegon County was organized, and our subject was 
elected Prosecuting Attorney for the new county, 
and held that otlice four years. At the expiration 
of this term he was elected Circuit Court Com- 
missioner, and was re-elected for a second term 
two years later. In 1866 the Heinil)licans of this 
district elected him to represent the district in the 
Lower House of the State Legislature, to which 
oflice he was re-elected in 1868, when he became 
Chairman of the Ways and Moans Committee. In 
1870 he was again elected, and served in the same 
capacity on that committee. Much of his time 
was devoted to the interests of the charitable insti- 
tutions of the State, and the present prosperity of 
a number of them is due to his earnest efforts in 
securing appropri.iUons. 

In 1872 Mr. H(^ It was elected Lieutenant-Gov- 
ernor of the State on the Republican ticket, headed 
by Gov. Bagley, and two years later was re-elected 
to that office. In 1878 his district again sent him 
to the State Legislature, when he was once more 
appointed Chairman of the Ways and Means Com- 
mittee. In 1886, when again elected, he was made 
Chairman of the Committee on Railroads, and sec- 
ond on the Judiciaiy Committee. He was Chair- 
man of the Ways and Means Committee during 
the building of the State Ca^jitol at Lansing. In 
1867 he was elected a member of the Constitu- 
tional Convention held at Lansing. Mr. Holt has 
served five terms in the Slate Legislature as the 
representative of his district, and two terras as 
Lieutenant-Governor, being a longer term of ser- 
vice than that of anj- resident, past or present, of 
the Stale of Michigan — a record of which he may 
well be proud. 

In April, 1878, Mr. Holt was elected ISIayor of 
Muskegon, and was re-elected in 1879, he being 
the second Rci)ublican Mayor of this city. He has 
also served the people in various other public of- 



fices to which he has been elected from time to 
time. His experience in this respect is a remark- 
able one, in the fact that, of the numerous times 
thai he has been nominated for oflice (l)eing about 
twenty-five limes altogether), he has never known 
defeat — a iiroud record in a cit}' and district as 
often Democratic as Republican; a record that 
speaks louder than words of the api)reciation of 
his services, and one that shows the esteem in 
wiiich he is held by the people of the communitj*. 
He has ever since taking up his residence in ^lus- 
kegon maintained a law office, and has continued 
in the active practice of liis profession. 

In 1873 and 1874 Mr. Holt made an extended 
tour of Europe, and in 1875 and 1876 he again 
visited the Old World, j(jurneying through Eg^-pt 
and the Holy Land, and making stops at Con- 
stanlinople and tlie old cities of the East, from 
which he returned with a tine collection of pic- 
tures, other works of art, and rare curiosities. The 
foregoing history of Mr. Holt's public career 
should be a sufficient guarantee for his personal 
character, social and business standing. "Thus 
shall it be done unto the man whom the king de- 
lighteth to honor," is as true to-da}' as it was 
thirty centuries ago. In all business trans.iclions 
his promise is unquestioned; once made, the fullill- 
ment comes with the da3% 

During the winter of 1892 Mr. Holt was, with 
several other gentlemen, intrusted by leading busi- 
ness citizens with the delicate task of procuring 
an increased ajipropriation by Congress for the 
Muskegon Harbor, and an appropration for oilier 
purposes, and it can he safely said, and without 
detracting from the others, that for the success of 
the mission much credit is due to Mr. Holt. His 
knowledge of legislation and governmental meth- 
ods proved an im|)0rtant factor in the execution 
by himself and his associates of the important 
duties and interests with which they were clothed. 
A life-long Republican, imbued with the doctrines 
of his partj-, and unswerving in fealty thereto, he 
is yet suflicientl^' generous to see the patriot in a 
political adversary. Tlioroughl3' American, he 
illustrates in his life and character many of the 
better traits of the American citizen. 

Mr. Holt has been twice married. His first wife 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



119 



was Maiy Winter, of Lansing, Mich., who died in 
May, 1872. He was again niairied, on llie .jlh of 
Febniary, 1878, lliis wife l)einjr M'-*. Catliarine 
Ilacivipv. 



iJ^-^fc»»*^*T* 



> I ' I I I ' I 



';lt_. EMIY JOHN 1U)LT, who is now living re- 
J^)ji' tired in (liand Haven, well deserves repre- 

^ sentation in liiis volnme, for lie is widely- 
known among the citizens of Ottawa Conn- 
ty and iiis life record will he received with inter- 
est by manj- of our readers. He was born in Hol- 
land in 18'2;3. and his father, who was also a native 
of the same country, crossed the Atlantic to Amer- 
ica and took up his residence in Zeeland, Ottawa 
County. Nvliere he spent the remainder of his life. 
B3' occupation he was a farmer. 

Our subject acquired such educational advan- 
tages as the schools of his native land afforded. 
The days of his boyhood and ^-outh were spent 
under the parental roof, and he early became famil- 
iar with the duties of farm life, aiding his father 
in the development of a farm until 1847, when he 
came to America. He was then a young man of 
twenty-three years. Landing in New York, he 
made his way at once to (Jrand Haven, Mich., and 
became the first settler of this cit3' from Holland. 
Here he engaged in the milling business for two 
years, and was then variously omployed for a num- 
ber of years. He had no capital at the time of his 
arrival and had to depend upon his own resources 
for a livelihood. After a time he began devoting 
his energies to farming and fruit-growing, and 
thus passed his time for several years. He vvas 
quite successful in that line, and as his financial 
resources were increased he began making judi- 
cious investments in real estate and dealt in town 
property. This ))roved a ])rolital)le investment 
and has yielded to him a good income. 

In the year 18.52 Mr. Bolt was married, the 
lady of his choice being Miss Cornelia Elfers, 
a native of the Netherlands. Their union was 
celebrated in (irand Haven, and unto them was 
born a family of eight children: Hannah, now 



the wife of John Kolboord, a resident of Bat- 
tle Creek, Mich.; Alice, at home; .Jennie, the wife 
of .John Boer; Henry, now deceased; Cornelia, who 
died at the age of si.^ months; Henry J.;and All)ert, 
who is engaged in merchandising in Grand Haven. 
The mother of this family w.'is called to her final 
rest in 1892, and many friends mourned her loss. 
Mr. Bolt is a member of the Second Reformed 
Church. In politics he is a pronounced Repub- 
lican, warmly advocating the principles of the 
party with which he has long been identified. He 
was elected Strei't Commissioner of Grand Haven, 
and so acceptably did he fill the ollice that he was 
re-elected again and again until he had served in 
that position for ten years. He has always taken 
an active interest in school atfairs, and the cause 
of education finds in him a warm friend. In fact, 
no worthy public enterprise seeks his aid in vain, 
he being ever ready to give his support and co- 
operation to those interests which are calculated 
to prove of public benefit. B^" his own well-di- 
rected efforts, and through the legitimate channels 
of business, he has achieved a success and acquired 
a competenc3- which now enable him to lay aside 
all care and live retired in the enjoyment of the 
fruits of his former toil. 



/^ APT. IIEXHY .1. WOODS, the energetic and 
[if ^.^ ellicient keeper of the life-saving station of 
^^^ Muskegon, Mich., who is possessed of ability 
and courage, with a thoroughly practical training 
in the necessary duties of his responsible position, 
is eminently adapted to the faithful discharge of 
the obligations intrusted to his care. A native of 
the State of New York and born in Cattaraugus 
County .May 29, 18.50, our subject was the son of 
Henry .1. and Hannah .1. (Starkweather) Woods. 
The parents were both of New England birth and 
were reared in the Green Mountain State. The 
father aiul mother, descendants of long lines of 
reputable ancestry, were early trained to habits 



120 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



of thrifty industry and self-reliantly attained to 
mature age. During their earlj' 3ears they en- 
joyed the advantage of instruction in the schools 
of their home neighborhood, but both soon began 
the earnest work of life. Marr3ing, they made 
their permanent home in New York, where the 
father, a farmer by occupation, was higiily re- 
spected and numbered among tiie substantial men 
of his locality in the Empire State. Capt. Woods 
spent the days of boyhood upon the old home- 
stead, assisting his father in the daily round of 
agricultural work and attending the nearest dis- 
trict school. 

Continuing upon the old homestead and en- 
gaging in farming for sixteen years, our subject 
began the battle of life for himself soon after 
attaining his majority. He was for some time 
variously employed, but, a man of observation and 
excellent judgment, lost no opportunity to gain 
knowledge and thus advance himself in the world. 
Journeying after a time to the farther West, Capt. 
Woods came to Michigan, and in August, 1880, 
becoming one of the crew at the life-saving sta- 
tion of St. Joseph, held his position for two years, 
and during this period of time passed through a 
variety of thrilling and profitable experiences, 
serving an apprenticeship in the saving of human 
lives, many more of which, but for the established 
stations, would be annually sacrificed upon the 
dano-erous lake coasts. Entering upon the duties 
of his present position in the year 1882, Capt. 
Woods has, with satisfaction to the (iovernment, 
had full charge of the IMuskegon station, lie has 
with him a tried crew of men, veterans in the 
service, seven in number, and under iiis skillful 
command much heroic work has been accomplished. 
Our subject is a man to be relied upon in the hour 
of emergency, and no storm is too terrible, no 
dan O'er too great, for him to face with calm 
courage and the confidence which inspires his men 
to renewed effort. 

In the year 1881 were united in marriage 
Henry J. Woods and Miss Hulda A. Wells, of 
Grand Rapids, Mich. The estimable wife of our 
subject is a native of Ohio and was born in 
Marietta. Two daughters, bright and attractive, 
bless the home, Ilattie II. and (iracie B., who will 



enjoy every opportunit}' for an advanced educa- 
tion. Our subject is fraternally associated with 
the Ancient Free & Accepted Masons, and is 
a valued member of the lodge at St. Joseph; he 
is likewise a member of the Muskegon Chapter, 
R. A. M. lie is also associated with the 
Knights of Pythias, and has a host of friends 
among the time-honored orders. Capt. Woods has, 
in giving close attention to the manner and 
methods of the service, perfected some invaluable 
inventions of his own and given most important 
suggestions for future consideration. lie has 
arranged a system of carriage locks and buoys, 
which facilitate and aid in transportation, and he 
displays mechanical genius of a high order. A 
brave officer and the right man for his post of 
danger, Capt. Ileniy Woods possesses the regard of 
a wide acquaintance and the full confidence of the 
general public. 



_y 



H-^s* 



1^-^ ON. HIRAM E. STAPLES, to whose enter- 
f/ji] prise and executive business ability the 
present prosperity of Whitehall, Muskegon 
County, Mich., is mainly due, is not only 
the head of one of the largest lumber-mills of the 
State, but is also associated with other interests of 
magnitude and is justly entitled to the appellation 
of a lumber king. Mr. Staples was born in Pough- 
keepsie, N. Y., June 1, 1836, and was the son of 
Henry and Mary (Connor) Staples, the parents of 
six children, of whom our subject was the second 
in order of birth. One brother and one sister only 
survive. Joshua, who enlisted in the Fifth Wiscon- 
sin Infantry at the breaking out of the Civil War, 
died in a hospital in Washington, D. C. One af- 
ter another three sisters have passed away. Jennie 
is a resident of Whitehall. The father, a native of 
the Empire State, was born in or near Poughkeep- 
sie, N. Y., in 1811, the paternal grandparents mak- 
ing Poughkeei)sie their lifetime home. Grand- 
father Joshua Staples was the son of Noah Staples, 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAFIUCAL liECORD. 



121 



an Englisliman by birth, but a very early resident 
of America and a patriotic soldier of the Hevolu- 
tionary War. The Stapleses, originally setlling in 
New York, were small farmers, men of moderate 
tastes and means, but were possessed of strength 
of character, energy and resolution, which, be- 
queathed to our subject, formed his main capital 
in life during his early manhood. 

The mother, Mary (Connor) Staples, was the 
daughter of Thomas Connor, a nativet)f the I'nited 
States but of direct Knglish descent. His wife, the 
maternal grandmother of our subject, was the sis- 
ter of William M. Dayton, candidate for Vice-Pres- 
ident on the ticket with Fremont. Thomas Con- 
nor combined the dual occupations of farmer and 
contractor, and was a successful and highly re- 
spected man. In 1818, the .Staples family- emigrated 
from New York to Ravenna, Ohio, and in 1851 
came to Michigan, locating in Hillsdale, and in 1857 
came to Whitehall, then White Lake. Here the 
father followed farming on a small scale. Both 
parents are yet living, the father aged eighty-two, 
and the mother also at an advanced age. The 
honorable Mr. Staples, in common with other farmer 
lads, .assisted upon the homestead in boyhood and 
attended the district school. He had entered upon 
liis collegiate course in Albion (Mich.) College 
when the Civil War broke out, and, promptly an- 
swering to the call of the Government for "three 
hundred thousand more," left his books and in 
the early summer of 1861 enlisted as a private in 
the Fifth Wisconsin Infantiy, he and his brother 
Joshua both offering their .service in behalf of na- 
tional existence. .Joshua, as before stated, died in 
the hospital, and our subject also fell a victim to 
exposures and privations, and was likewise con- 
veyed to the army liospital, from which he was 
finally sent to his home, being discharged from the 
army for disability. 

As soon as he had somewhat recuperated, Mr. .Sta- 
ples engaged in the handling of limber lands and 
lumber. His availal^le means were small, but with his 
characteristic energy he soon began to accumulate 
a capital and was ere long enabled to enlarge the 
scope of his enterprises. In 1868, he had prospered 
to such an extent that in compaii}- with his brother- 
in-law, Lyman Covell, he bought the present site 



of their now extensive mills, which, then limited in 
si/.e, have become the largest manufactories of lum- 
Ix'r in the world. Aside from these mills our sub- 
ject has invested in numerous paying enterprises, 
owning a line of boats, and also being for many 
3'ears the President of the Log and Boom Compan3', 
which does an immense business, one of the largest 
in the State. Mr. .Staples assisted in the organiza- 
tion of the First National Bank of Whitehall and 
was its Vice-President until that financial institu- 
tion was merged into the .State .Savings liaiik of 
Whitehall, of which he is Vice-President and a 
heav}' stockholder. Our subject is also engaged ex- 
tensively in the manufacture of shingles and is 
likewise a partner in a large mercantile house. He 
is a very busy man, and without seeking political 
honors has had them thrust upon him. For two 
terms he served ably as Supervisor, was for many 
years President of the Council, and in 1884 and 
1885 was a member of the State Legislature and, 
associated with important committees, served with 
rare efficienc}- and to the great satisfaction of his 
constituents. 

In 1864: were united in marriage Hiram E. 
.Staples and Miss Rebecca Covell, a sister of his 
business partner and Mark B. and Charles E. Co- 
vell, prominent lumbermen of Muskegon County-. 
Four children blessed the union, two of whom died 
in infancy. The eldest son, Dudle\' E., a graduate 
of Orchard Lake Military School, is now connected 
with his father in business. H. Earl, a recent 
graduate from the Whitehall High School, is a 
young man of promise and unusual ability'. Mr. 
and Mrs. Staples are valued members of the Meth- 
odist Episcopal Church, of which our subject is a 
liberal supporter. Prominently connected with 
the Ancient Free & Accepted JIasons, Mr. .Staples 
assisted in the organization of the lodge at Mon- 
tague, and also aided to establish the lodge at 
Whitehall. He w.as the first master of each lodge, 
and has held that position in the Whitehall Lodge 
for the past seven years. He has taken the thirty- 
second degree of Masonry and is alson member of 
the shrine. Politically, he is and h.as been a life- 
long Heimblican and is a descendant of an old- 
line and loyal Whig family-. Essentially the archi- 
tect of his own fortune, the Hon. Hiram Iv Staples 



122 



K)RTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



will leave as a most valuable inheritance lo his 
sons the untarnished record of a life successful 
from every point of view, his daily walk being 
dominated liy the sterling integrity and steadfast- 
ness of purpose which have overcome obstacles and 
won him a position of honor and influence among 
the leading men of Michiiian. 




AVI AS E. BIJOWX, a prosperous contrac- 
tor and builder of Muskegon, Mich., has 
materially aided in tiie improvement of 
his home city by the erection of numer- 
ous handsome structures, private residences and 
public buildings, all within the corporate limits of 
the town. Our subject is anativeof Vermont and 
was born in Lamoille County, September 21, 1843. 
His father, Samuel H. Biown, also a native of the 
Green Mountain State and a man of fine ability 
and upriglit character, remained througiiought his 
lifetime a resident of New P^ngland, and after a 
life of busy usefulness passed away in New Hamp- 
shire in the j'ear 1892. Tlie paternal grandfather, 
Joel Brown, a brave soldier of the War of 1812, 
was a native of Massachusetts, the Brc)wns having 
settled upon the rock-bound co.ast of our country 
in a very early day, and throughout these past 
changing years of more than a century- have as 
citizens been distinguished by earnest effort and 
patriotic motives. Their remote ancestry were of 
Scottish birth, possessing the virtues of the coun- 
try noted for its industrious thrift. The mother, 
Fanny (Fales) Brown, a native of Massachusetts, 
was, like lier husband, a descendant of an old New 
P^ngland familj-. 

Our subject spent the days of his ciiildhood in 
his birthplace and enjo3ed excellent educational 
advantages in the common schools of Vermont. 
At the age of eighteen j-ears he decided to try his 
fortunes in the broader fields of the West, and in 
1861, making a prospecting tour, visited a number 
of prominent places, finally coming to Michigan, 
and in 18G3 locating permanently in Muskegon. 



Here three years later, in 1866, Mr. Brown, by 
trade a carpenter and builder, began contracting, 
and meeting from the first with the most gratify- 
ing success has continued uninterruptedly in that 
business ever since. Our subject built many of 
the county buildings and erected the JMuskegon 
Water Works plant at Lake Harbor, and in 1890 
sunk the wells which supplied the city with water. 
He also built the Electric Light plant, and in all 
his work for private parties or corporations has 
given universal satisfaction by the prompt and 
faithful fulfillment of his obligations and the ex- 
cellence of materia'l and workmanship he has in- 
variably furnished. Mr. Brown has likewise been 
especially successful in laying cement walks, which 
arc of the best quality and superior durabilit}'. 

In 1868 Savias E. Brown and Miss Mary L. 
Bourdon, of Muskegon, were united in marriage. 
The estimable wife of our subject was a native of 
New York State and was reared and educated amid 
the scenes of her early childhood. The attractive 
home. No. 44 Houston Avenue, is brightened by 
the presence of three sons and three daughters. 
Fannie Mabel is the eldest-born, then follow in the 
order of their birth Phojbe Ann, Clarence E,, Clin- 
ton E., William E. and Loraine. Mr. and Mrs. Brown 
and their intelligent familj' occupy high positions 
in the social world of Muskegon and enjoy the es- 
teem of a wide circle of friends. Our subject is fra- 
ternallj' a member of the Ancient Free & Accepted 
Masons, and while not a politician is a Democrat, 
deeply interested in l)otli local and national issues, 
and is numbered among the substantial citizens, 
ever ready to assist in matters of mutual welfare. 



-^ 



^^IIARLES L. KING. In noting the business 
[i\ interests of a city or town, it is particularly 

^li^'' gratifying to be able to point to the success 
of such a house as that of C. L. Kingct Co., for the 
reason that tiieir success may be used as a fair gauge 
of the average of prosperity in the community. 
AVitli the inventions, improvements and other ac- 



PORTRAIT AXn BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



123 



cessoiies discovered, a dcffrcc of excellence closely 
akin to perfection in Uic ni.inufactuic of fruit jjiick- 
ages, wood plates, veneers, etc., has been attained 
in tlie last ten or twelve years. Cliarles L. King, 
wliu lias l)ecn engajfcd in manufacturing the aljove- 
nientiontd articles in Holland since 1891, is a gen- 
tleman possessed of excellent business capacity and 
good judgment. • 

He was born at Winona, Minn.. Fclirunr^- 2'2, 
18.J6, and liis father, L. 11. King, was a native 
of the Keystone State, wlierehe grew to manliood. 
.Vt an earl^' date he came Westward and settled in 
Winona. Minn., where lie was elected to tlie ollice 
of Sheriff, being tlie first one in tlie county. Later 
lie removed to Rochester, Minn., and he there era- 
barked in the agricultural imiilemcnl business and 
followed this until his death, in l.S(i8. lie married 
Miss Rebecca Shephard and to them were born 
seven children, two besides our subject now living. 
Both par"nts wei-e worthy members of the Meth- 
odist Episcopal Church ami active workers in the 
same. The father, who w.as a successful business 
man, accuniulaled a large property, and gave lib- 
erally to the support of all worthy enterprises. 

The youthful days of our subject were passed in 
Winona, Minn., and he was educated in the schools 
of that city and those of Rochester. After the 
death of his father our subject continued to live 
in Rochester for three years, when he joined a sur- 
veying expedition to Yellowstone Park and ex- 
perienced many thrilling adventures during this 
trip. Returning home, he went to New York City 
and there followed the cigar business for about six 
months, after which he went to Chicago, where he 
learned the business he is now following, and which 
he has made such a decided success. Two years 
later he took charge of a factory at Decatur, Mich., 
and operated it two and a-half years, when the 
factory was moved to Muskegon and he took cliarge 
of it there. The factory mentioned was the Wood 
Package and Basket Compan}', and our subject 
managed that for several years. 

From there .Mr. King went to Montague, Mich., 
where he branched out in business for himself. 
The present company was organized in August, 
1881, and the Ilanchelt Paper Company, of Chicago, 
is controlled by the (irm of C. L. King & Co. Mr. 



King selected liis wife in the pei-son of Miss Mary 
Johnson, daughter of William .Johnson, and their 
union was solemnized in the year 1882. Politi- 
cally-, Mr. King is a strong Republican and has 
taken an active part in the work of his party. 
AVhile residing at Montague he was a member 
of the Council and was iirominent in all mat- 
ters of moment. The large f.actory of C. L. 
King <k Co. was erected in 18'J1 and Uiey now have 
five large buildijigs. The main building is a line 
structure, made of Zeeland brick, and is 73x223 
feel. Their capital is about *l.')0,(l()0 and they do 
an annual business of *2.")0,(M)(). About two hun- 
dred hands are employed. This firm also has a 
Chicago office, situated at Nos. 11 and 13 La .Salle 
Street. Mr. King has been at the head of this busi- 
ness since it first started and is familiar with its 
every detail. Socially, he is a Knight Templar of 
the Miisonic fraternity, also of the Mystic Shrine, 
and is also a member of the Benevolent and Protec- 
tive Order of Elks. He is active in his support of all 
worthy measures, is public spirited and pushing, 
and a credit to any community. Whole-souled 
and genial, his friends are legion. 



^ 



^^^ II. ]SI.\SON, an extensive general merchant, 
III f-—, and present Deputy Collector of the port 
^^jjj of Montague, Muskegon County, Mich., is 
numbered among the sulistantial citizens and lead- 
ing men of his locality. Our subject was born in 
Lindsa}', Victoria County, Ontario, February 1, 
18G2, and is the son of Lawrence and Bessie 
(Smith) Alason, both of Engll.sh nativity. The fa- 
ther was born ill Devonshire in 1838, and wasonly 
a little lad when the paternal grandfather, Richard 
Mason, a mechanic, emigrated with his family to 
America. Grandfather Mason settled with his 
children in Canada, later removed to New York, 
and finally made his permanent home in Michi- 
gan, locating in MonUague, where he died some 
four years ago. Lawrence Mason, the father, is a 
man of fine education and excellent business at- 



124 



PORTRAIT A>T) BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



tainments and, prospered financially, is now liv- 
ing upon his highly cultivated farm near Mon- 
tague. The mother of Mr. Mason, born in Wilt- 
shire, England, was the daughter of a hotel-keeper 
of that country, and went to Canada when she was 
a small child, but in a short time went to New 
York State, later returning to Canada, where her 
parents died. Mr. Mason was the eldest of the 
six children who blessed the home of the father 
and mother. Ida died at the age of twelve years; 
Fred is a clerk in the store of our subject; Nellie, 
the second daughter, married Prof. II. A. Corbett, 
Principal of the schools at White Cloud, Mich.; 
Mabel lives with her parents; the other brother 
died in infancy. 

Our subject spent the days of his boyhood 
in Lindsay, Ontario, where his father was then 
engaged in business. Educated mainly in the 
High School of Lindsay, he completed a thor- 
ough course of study by the time he was sixteen 
years old, and then was employed in an office 
as book-kec)3er. The place of business in which 
he engaged was a railroad, steamship, telegraph 
and express oflice. He remained with this com- 
pany for two years, and during this length 
of time mastered ever}- branch of the busi- 
ness. Our subject next became an express mes- 
senger on the Grand Trunk Railroad, but resigned 
that position to accept the more congenial occu- 
pation of a book-keeper for ^Slasou Brothers, un- 
cles of his, engaged in mercantile business at Mon- 
tague, Mich. This change in his location occurred 
in 1880, and for four or five years Mi. Mason re- 
mained with the firm in the capacit}- of an em- 
ploye. One of the uncles having died in the mean 
time, our subject then bought the entire business, 
which he has since most profitably conducted. 

For a time our subject ran branch houses at 
Ferry and Shelliy, but finally closed lliem.and now 
concentrates his attention upon the one large store 
in Montague, which controls the best trade of its 
vicinit\'. I\Ir. Mason has also been interested 
in real estate, but devotes himself mainl3' to hand- 
ling merchandise. In November, 1885, G. H. Mason 
and Miss Emma Dalton were united in marriage. 
INIrs. Mason is a daughter of Peter Dalton, one of 
the pioneer lumbermen of Montague. Two sons, 



George Dowling, aged six j'ears, and William Law- 
rence, aged two, have brightened the happy home. 
Mrs. Mason, an accomplished lady and superior 
scholar and a graduate of St. Mary's, of Indiana, in- 
herited from her f.ather considerable real estate, 
now managed by Mr. Mason. Politically a Demo- 
crat, our subject has always been deeply interested 
in matters of mutual welfare, and as Collector of 
the port has discharged the duties incident to 
the office to the great satisfaction of all interested. 
Fraternally, Mr. Mason is a valued member of the 
Ancient Free it Accepted Masons, and in his social 
and business relations commands the esteem of a 
wide acquaintance. His home, the abode of hos- 
pitality, is the centre of attraction for many friends, 
both Mr. and Mrs. Mason being general favorites 
in Montague. 



^^EORGE B.WOODBURY, a prominent busi- 
'll f-—^ ness man residing in Eggleston Townsliip, 
^^^^ Muskegon County, is passing the twilight 
of his life quietly and serenely ui)on his home- 
stead on section 36. He is a native of Mass.ichu- 
setts, and was born in Sutton. Worcester County, 
November 18, 1816. He spent his bojhood da3-s 
in the old Ba}- State and tlience at an ear!}' age 
removed to western Michigan, and stopped for a 
time at Grand Haven, proceeding from that jilace 
to Muskegon. Here he engaged in engineering 
and also conducted a large business as a black- 
smith for several years. 

In 1850, attracted to the far West by the 
discovery of gold in California, Mr. Woodbury 
proceeded to that State, the journey- being made 
via the Isthmus of Panama. After a long and 
tedious voyage he arrived in the golden region, 
where he engaged in mining and in other i)ursuits 
for about eighteen months. He then sailed on the 
brig "Mexico" up the Pacific Coast as far as Queen 
Charlotte Island. Tlic report of fabulous quanti- 
ties of gold to be found in that country induced 
him, with a number of other men, to attempt its 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



125 



discovery. After a few weeks of prospecting, tliey 
were disappointed in their searcli for gold. Having 
heard of a white metal whicli tliey supposed to 
be silver existing in quantities farther up tiie 
coast, they continued their journey to that point. 
Again tiiey suffered disappointment, for the silver 
they expected to find proved to be only a 
beautiful while subsUmce, a stalactite formation. 

The adventurous miners found the Indians 
very numerous and aggressive, making it necessarj- 
for them to erect barricades and use every means 
of protection. At the time of their departure, the 
savages gathered in great numbers along the shore 
near the vessel. To avoid an attack, the}' waited 
for the outgoing tide and suddenly, hoisting sail, 
with a gentle breeze blowing from the shore, they 
sped smoothly out to sea, followed b}- hundreds 
of Indians in their canoes. The attempt of the 
natives to fasten a line to tlie vessel and tow it 
back to shore was onl}' prevented b^' the careful 
guarding of the sailors. The pursuit continued 
some seven or eight miles out to sea, and, the 
speed of the vessel increasing, the canoes with 
their occupants gradually disappeared in the 
distance. In due course of time and without 
further event, the V03'agers arrived at the Oolden 
Gate. 

Mr. Woodbury next assisted in erecting a saw- 
mill at Humboldt Bay, a sliort distance from the 
coast. He continued engaged in that business 
about eighteen months, but about six months later 
returned by the Nicaragua route to Grand Haven. 
In that city, on the llth of December, 1853, he was 
united in marriage with Miss Rachel .S., daughter 
of George W. and Harriet E. (Ford) Johnson. 
The newly-wedded pair commenced housekeeping 
at Ferrisburg, where Jlr. Woodbury engaged as 
an engineer for a milling and lumbering company. 
After one year in that village, he again located in 
Muskegon,where he followed the business of engi- 
neering and blacksmithing. 

On the 24th of April, 188.'), Mr. Woodbury 
came to Eggleston Township and settled upon the 
farm where he has since resided. This farm 
embraces one hundred and ten acres, equallj' 
divided by the Grand Rapids Road, and is consid- 
ered the best estate in the township. Politically, 



Mr. Woodbury is a true Re]niblican, and, while 
having no political aspirations, lakes a deep 
interest in matters of public importance. Sociallj', 
he is identified with the Independent C)rder of 
Odd F'ellows. Ho and his wife have been the par- 
ents of the following sons an<l daughters: Lizzie, 
Mrs. W. J. Near, of Muskegon; William Henry 
and Ilattie, deceased; IjUicoIu .1., who is a resi- 
dent of Park City, Utah; and George 15., Jr., 
living at home. Mrs. Woodbury is Ihe niece of 
Jonathan Ford, the first settler of Muskegon, who 
built the first sawmill in the place. 



<a, jk EDSON STICKNFV, who is engineer and 
\rj/i machinist of the ilachley it Hume Lumber 
^J/^ Mills, of Muskegon, was born in Paines- 
ville, Ohio, January 1(5, 1842, and is a son of 
Charles W. Stickney, a native of Vermont, who 
became one of the early settlers of Lake County, 
Ohio, where he located in 1816. The mother of 
our subject was in her maidenhood Nancy E. Bal- 
lard. She was born in Connecticut, and was a 
daughter of James Ballard, one of the honored 
pioneers of Lake County, Ohio. 

In his native cit}', Edson Stickney was reared to 
manhood, and in its common schools he acquired 
a good education. When a young man of twenty 
years he otfered his services to the Government, 
donning the blue in 1862 as a member of Com- 
pany- D, One Hundred and Fifth Ohio Infantry. 
The regiment was commanded by Col. Hall, and 
was assigned to the Army of the Cumberland. He 
participated in many important battles, including 
the engagements at Perryville, Chickamauga, and 
Mission Ridge and was in the Atlanta campaign. He 
then went with Sherman on the memorable march 
to the sea and through the Carolinas. After about 
three years of faithful service, during which he 
was always found at his post of duty, he was mus- 
tered out at Washington, 1). C, in June, 1H0.">. 

The honored soldier then returned to his home 
in Painesville, Ohio, where he remained until the 



126 



PORTRAIT ANT) BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



sprinw of 1868, when he went to Newaygo Coun- 
ty, Mich., and settled in Bridgeton, where he es- 
tablished a small shingle mill, which he carried on 
for two years. On tlie expii-ation of that time we 
find him in the cit}^ of Muskegon, where he has 
since made his home. He now holds a good posi- 
tion as engineer in the machinery department of 
the Ilaciiley & Hume Mills. In polities, he is a 
supporter of Rejiublican principles. He is a cliar- 
ter member of Muskegon Lodge No. 133, A. O. U. 
W., and a charter member of the Modern AVood- 
men (amp of Muskegon. 

BIr. Stickney has been twice married. In 1874 
he was united in marriage with Miss Elmira M. 
Graves, who died in 1876. In 188.3, he was again 
married. Miss Jlinnie C. Armstrong, a native of 
Van Wert, Ohio, and a daughter of Sidney J. 
Armstrong, becoming his wife. Their union has 
been blessed by a son and daughter, Clarence B. 
and Ethel May, who are the light and life of the 
parents' home. The family resides at No. 118 
West IMuskegon Avenue. Mr. Stickney keeps up 
his arrny acquaintance through his membership 
witli Phil Kearney Post No. 7, G. A. R. He was 
one of the valiant soldiers to whom the country 
owes her safety and in a large degree her present 
prospcritj'. For three \ears he was at the front, 
much of the time under Are and always ready to 
aid in the defense of the Old Flag which now floats 
so proudly- over the united Nation. 



^f UTHER WHITNEY, a retired merchant of 
5 Muskegon, was born July 26, 1815, in Gil- 
^ sum, Cheshire County, N. II. His ances- 



tors came from England to America in 1635. His 
grandfather, Samuel Whitney, served as one of the 
heroes of the Revolution. Tiie father, Luther 
Whitney, Sr., was born in Gilsum in 1791, and 
was a merchant and manufacturer. He married 
Betsy Uart, also a native of Gilsum, and in 1827 
removed with his familj* to Lawrence County, 
N. Y., wliere he spent his remaining days. 



Our subject was the eldest cliild of a family of 
four. He remained in the old Granite State until 
twelve jears of age and tiien accompanied his par- 
ents to New York, where lie grew to manhood 
and completed his education in the district school 
and by a two-years course in St. Lawrence Acad- 
emy. After starling out in life for himself he 
came to the West and for a time engaged in clerk- 
ing in a dry-goods store in Green Bay, Wis. He 
afterward spent one winter in a lumber camp, and 
subsequently we lind him in Kenosha, Wis., where 
he remained for several years, engaged in merchan- 
dising and in dealing in lumber. He also en- 
gaged in the grain business for a time, then went 
to Detroit, Mieh., where he devoted his energies 
to the manufacture of washboards about one jear. 
Returning to Kenosha, he there remained during 
the three succeeding years, and in 1864 he came 
to Muskegon. Accepting a position as book- 
keeper in the lumber business of Gideon Truesdell, 
he remained in that business from 1864 until 
1873. 

Mr. AVhitney was married in November, 1843, 
the lady of his choice being fliiss Rebecca .1. h'win, 
of Green Ba}', Wis., and a daughter of Rol)ert Ir- 
win. She was born in that city and there spent 
the days of her maidenhood. By their union 
they have become the jiarents of three children, 
of whom two are now living: George B., a con- 
tractor and builder and civil engineer, now resid- 
ing in Chicago; and Thomas D., who also resides 
in Chicago and is now traveling auditor for Ar- 
mour A' Co. 

In earlj'life Mr. Whitne\' was an old-line Whig, 
but on the organization of the Republican party 
he joined its ranks and has since fought under its 
banner. He was one of the members of Kenosha 
Lodge, I. O. O. F., of Kenosha, Wis., but has taken 
no very prominent part in social and public affairs, 
preferring to devote his time and attentitin to his 
business interests. In 1875, he was appointed 
Postmaster of ISIuskegon, under Gen. Grant, and 
held the otlice for twelve consecutive years under 
Presidents Arthur and Hayes. That he promptly 
and faithfully performed his duties, and admin- 
istered the affairs of the oflice to the satisfaction 
of the general public, is well indicated by his long 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



127 



continued service. Several other public offices 
have been tendered iiiin but lie lias refused to ac- 
cept. He is now a stockholder in tiie Ilackley 
National Hank, the National I.umlioinian's and 
the .Muskegon Savings liaiik. Mr. Whitnev is 
now practically living retired in the enjoyment 
of the rest which he has so truly earned and 
richly deserves. His life has been a busy and 
useful one and his public and private career are 
alike above reproacii. His success is due to his 
own industrious asd well-directed efforts, and he 
may truly be called a self-made man. Mrs. Whit- 
ney is a member of the Congregational Church. 



^^HARLKS II. PROCTOR, a successful gen- 
(l(^!^ eral agriculturist located on section 3, IIol- 
^^^ ton Township, Muskegon County, Mich., 
has held with abilit}' nearly every official position 
of trust within the gift of his fellow-townsmen, 
and, a man of excellent judgment and superior at- 
tainments, has been an especially prominent factor 
in the educational advancement of his home neigli- 
lK>rhood and vicinity. As a member of the Hoard 
of .Supervisors, and as a School Inspector, with the 
exception of two years since the organization of 
the township, Mr. Proctor has materially aided in 
the promotion and rapid development of the best 
interests of Muskegon County. Our subject, a 
native of Roscoe Township, Ohio, and born in 
183G, was the son of Ilascal and Nancy (Shepliard) 
Proctor. The paternal grand|)arents, Asa and 
Alice (Dane) Proctor, were long-time residents of 
the (Ireen Mountain Stale. The paternal great- 
grandfather died when Asa was about seven years 
of age, and the grandfather was reared by Thomas 
Parker, of Lowell, Mass. Asa received a good 
common-school education and learned the carpen- 
ters' trade, being a wooden-plow and yoke-maker 
as well as a farmer. He married and settled in 
Vermont, and into his peaceful home came nine 
sons and daughters, all of whom survived to reach 
maturitv. 



The children of the paternal grandparents were, 
Sarah, a cripple; Ilascal D., the father of our sub- 
ject; Samuel C. and Alonzo, deceased; Mandana, 
wife of Henry Stevens; Orville, deceased; Horatio, 
a resident of Ingham County, Mich.; and Horace 
and Jlerrill, deceased. Serving bravely in the 
War of 1812, the grandfather fought at Hcnning- 
ton. Politically, he was a Whig and a man of 
strong views. Reared upon a farm, his son Ilas- 
cal received but a limited education, and at the 
age of fourteen was bound out to learn the trade 
of a tool-maker and blacksmith. Serving a faith- 
ful apprenticeship for four years, the father then 
began life for himself, and at about the age of twen- 
ty-one was united in marriage with the daughter 
of William and Nancy Shepliard. Ambitious and 
enterprising, he later removed to Ohio, and in 
Cleveland worked as a tool-maker. He died in 
1847, mourned by many friends. Politically, he 
was a strong Democrat, and was esteemed as a 
true and l03'al citizen. Of his two children, but 
one survived; the other died in infancy. The 
mother passing away three weeks after the death 
of the father, our subject was left an orphan at 
the age of eleven 3'cars, and began life for himself. 

A mere lad, cast eiitircl)- upon his own resources, 
Charles Proctor at once found his wa}' to the coun- 
try, and for one year worked upon a farm for his 
food and clothes. At twelve years of age oursub- 
ject joined his grandparents. Proctor, in .Stock- 
bridge, Mich., to which part of the Wolverine 
State the venerable pioneers had emigrated in a 
very early day. Jlr. Proctor remained with his 
grandparents until twenty-three years of age, and 
received a good education in the schools of Lan- 
sing, and, possessing musical ability, fitted himself 
for a teacher, ami fur four ycirs gave instruction 
in vocal music. 

]\Iiss Elizabeth, daughter of John .Snyder, and a 
native of Washtenaw County-, Mich., was married to 
Mr. Proctor in Ann Arbor. Five children blessed 
their union. Flora is the wife of (icorge 1-. Hull, 
of Wisconsin; Frank was the second- born; Kdith 
married Herman L. Hlack, of I^aketon, Mich.; 
Lewis D. and .Moiiic coinplcle the list of sons and 
daughters who liave brightened the home. Mr. 
Proctor having remained upon the farm of his 



128 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



grandparents until their deatii, tlien located in 
the dense woods of Muskegon Count}-. There 
were no roads, but the trees were bl.'ized for sec- 
tion lines. The famil}' settled in Ilolton Town- 
ship in oak openings. At the expiration of two 
years Mr. Proctor purchased his present valuable 
farm of eight^y acres, which our subject cleared, 
logged and improved himself. J\lr. and Mrs. 
Proctor were both members of the Presbyterian 
Church, but the estimable wife of our subject later 
joined the Baptist Church. The daughter Flora 
was graduated at Fremont, and for years success- 
fully taught in Muskegon Count}'. Fraternally, 
Mr. Proctor is associated with the County Grange, 
and politically is an ardent Republican. Contin- 
uously engaged in the service of the public in an 
official capacity, our subject has amply demon- 
strated his ability to hold office to the great satis- 
faction of the community by wliom he is sur- 
rounded. When the Civil War broke out he twice 
endeavored to enlist, but was refused for physical 
disability, and then patriotically gave $75 and 
later $90 to clear his township of the draft. Al- 
though absent by force of circumstances from the 
battlefield, the loyalty of our subject was un- 
questioned, and no man in his locality to-day has 
a firmer hold upon the true esteem of his friends 
and neighbors than Charles H. Proctor. 



-^ 



-H-- 



'AME.S D. CIIEKSMAN, the enterprising 
President and Treasurer of the Cbeesman- 
Kelley Manufacturing Company, of Muske- 
gon, Mich., is a long-time resident and 
prominent citizen of his present locality, and for 
thirty years has been closely identified with the 
progressive interests of the Wolverine State. Born 
in .Jefferson County, N. Y., April 11, 1812, our 
subject was but twenty years of age when, inde- 
pendently setting out to seek his fortune in the 
West, he came to Muskegon. His fatiier, Francis 
Cheesraan, likewise a native of tiie Empire State, 
was the son of Jeremiah Cheesman, who cour- 



ageously fought in the War of the Revolution. 
The mother, Susan (Kellog) Cheesman. born, reared 
and educated in the Empire State, was the de- 
scendant of sturdy ancestry, who made their home 
in America iu a very earl}' day. The father, by 
occupation a contractor and builder, was well 
known and higlily respected in his lifetime home, 
Mr. Cheesman spent the years of his boyhood in 
his birthplace, and received a good, substantial 
education in the excellent district school of his 
home neighborhood. Attaining to mature years, 
and trained to habits of self-reliant industiy, 
he determined to enter upon the labor of life in a 
newer field of action, and with the tide of emi- 
gration journeyed to Michigan. 

Locating in Muskegon in 1862, our subject re- 
ceived immediate and remunerative employment 
in a sawmill, where he continued to remain for a 
number of years. Finally, in 1887, he organized 
the Cheesman-Kelley Manufacturing Company, 
with James D. Cheesman as President and Treas- 
urer, T. B. McNiff Vice-president, and M. G- 
Avery Secretary. The company, financially pros- 
pered, does a large and rapidly extending busi- 
ness, the success of the enterprise being mainly 
due to the energetic efforts and executive ability 
of the President and Treasurer, who is also one 
of the principal stockholders of the company. 
The extensive plant of the Cheesman-Kelley 
Company is located at the corner of East Western 
Avenue and the Chicago & West Michigan Rail- 
road tracks, and does a general planing-mill busi- 
ness, manufacturing boxes and interior and ex- 
terior finishings, and likewise building stairs, etc. 
It commands one of the largest lines of custom 
given to any similar establishment in this part of 
tiie State. Literally a self-made man, of earnest 
purpose and sterling Integrity, our suliject has in 
truth won his way upward unaided, and now, one 
of the leading business men of Muskegon, has at- 
tained a position of influence, commanding the 
respect of all who know him. 

In the year 1866 were united in marriage James 
D. Cheesman and Miss Helen J. Dean, daughter of 
Harvey and Abbie (Warren) Dean, both of sturdy 
New England ancestry. The mother of Mrs. Chees- 
man was a native of Connecticut, and was there 





cl, 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



131 



reared antl educated, but died in the Empire State 
in 18;)".». Mi. Dean, aisfO a native of New England, 
was a farnier by occupation, and after residins; 
in New York returned to Massachusetts, and from 
the old I!ay State emigrated in 1862 to Muske- 
gon, Mich. Tiie union i)f our subject and iiis ac- 
complisiied wife lias been blessed by tlie birth 
of two children, a son and a daughter, Frank T. 
and Addie, now at home. The pleasant and com- 
modious family residence is located at No. 1(5 
West Webster Avenue, Muskegon, and. desirably 
situated, is well known to a large circle of inti- 
mate ae(|uaint;inces and long-time friends. Occu- 
pying pti?iti()ns of ii.sefiil influence, ^Ir. and Mrs. 
Cbeesman take an active pari in the social and 
benevolent enterprises of their locality, our siil)- 
ject being a ready aid in all matters pertaining to 
the public welfare. 



^ 



^ I'NTER SAVIDOE w.as a well-known resi- 
dent of Spring Lake. Ottawa County. lie 
,^ was liorn in Columbia County, Pa., April 

(sH^' C, 1828, and was of English descent. His 
parents. Penjainiii and Esther (Hunter) .Savidge, 
were both natives of New .Jersey, and had a family 
of thirteen children, of whom our subject was fifth 
in order of birth. He remained in the Keystone 
.State until he had attained his majorit\-, and ac- 
(juired a good education in the public schools. 

Having arrived at man's estate, .^Ir. Savidge re- 
solved to try his fortune in the West and emi- 
grated to Hockford, HI., where he carried on con- 
tracting and building until 1850. That \-ear wit- 
nessed his arrival in Spring Lake, where he ein- 
liarked in the manufacture of lumber. In 18(!1, 
the partnership of Culler tt Savidge was formed, 
which became one of the most extensive and best- 
known lumber firms in the West. When Mr. Sav- 
idge was about nine j'ears of age his parents re- 
moved to Northumberland County, Pa., where his 
father wf)rked at his trade of a mechanic. Hunter 
there learned the business, and al the age of eigh- 
C 



teen was a most proficient workman in that line. 
He then gave his attention to mechanical work 
and to school-teacl'.ing, but on his removal to 
Hockford abandoned the latter and took up con- 
tracting and building. We thus see that his ])revi- 
ous work made him well fitted for the business in 
which he now engaged as a i)artner of D. Cutler. 
They prospered from the beginning, and Mr. Sav- 
idge became owner of a large amount of valuable 
property and wsis sole proprietor of the famous 
hotel, the Spring Lake House, one of the most 
popular suminor resorts of northwestern Jlichi- 
gan. 

On the 12tli of I-Vbruary, 18.')7, .Air. Savidge 
married Miss .Sarah C, daughter of Lyman Patten, 
who resided near Grand Hapids, ]\Iich. The^' be- 
came the parents of three children: William, now 
of Detroit; Esther, wife of N. Robins, Jr., of 
Grand Haven; and George P., who is i)ursuing a 
scientific course of stud}' in the .ShelHeld School, 
of Yale. Jlrs. Savidge is still living in Spring 
Lake, where she has a palatial residence, liand- 
somely furnished and beautifully and pleasantly 
located upon a site which commands a picturesque 
view of the city. She is a devoted member of 
the Presb3-lerian Church, and is a lady whose many 
excellencies of character have won for her the love 
of all. 

Our subject was one of the most prominent and 
iiilluciitial (ilizensof this cuinmiinity, and was con- 
nected with many leading interests besides the 
lumber busmess. At the time of his death he w.as 
a Director of the National Bank of (iraiid Haven, 
President of the Ottawa County Booming Com- 
pany, a Director of the (Jrand River X- (iieenviUe 
Log Rolling Company, ami his wealth, the income 
from these various concerns, was estimated at a- 
half million. Socially, he was connected with the 
Masonic fraternity and Odd Fellows' society. In 
politics, he was a Democrat, but was never a poli- 
tician in the sense of ollice-sceking. However, he 
made an excellent run in 1868 for State Sena- 
tor, and though the Re|)ublicans were greatly in 
the majority he was defeated by only a few 
votes. He was a public-spirited man. generous 
and benevolent, and never failed to respfmd to 
any call for aid in public improvement. Churches, 



132 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



schools and charities always found in him a val- 
uable friend, and tlie poor and needj- were never 
turned from his door empty-handed. In cool, 
clear judgment he had few equals, never losing 
perfect control, no matter what the emergency. 
His advice to a man in an emergency, was " Cut 
down your expenses and keep cool." He had tlie 
respect of all witli whom business or social rela- 
tions brought liim in contact, and his word was as 
good as his bond. He passed away April 11, 1881, 
and in his death the comn. unity lost one of its 
best citizens, his associates a faithful friend, and 
his family a loving husband and father. 









'iir^A^^D A. WILSON, a successful lumber- 
I jl) man of JIuskegon, Mich., and the etticient 
(^^^ Alderman representing the Fifth Ward in 
the Common Council, is a native of his 
home city, and, born September 6, ISO;'), has ever 
since attaining his majority been intimately' asso- 
ciated with the j)rogressive interests of liis birth- 
place, and is widel}' known as an enterprising 
citizen and man of sterling integrity. The father 
of our subject, Matthew Wilson, a pioneer lum- 
berman of Michigan and President of the Union 
Nalicmal Iiank of Muskegon, continues a resident 
of the city where he settled in 1855, and, engag- 
ing in lumbering, rapidly amassed a competence. 
Financially prospered, and a man of public spirit, 
he in 1889 organized the bank with wliicli he is 
now prominently connected as the i)rincipal stock- 
holder, Director and President. The estimable 
mother, Mrs. Mary 1.. Wilson, was likewise iden- 
tified with the early history of Muskegon, and, a 
ladv of worth and intelligence, was recognized as 
an important factor in tiie .social life of the city. 
David A. completed the course of instruction in 
the Muskegon High School in 1883, graduating 
with honor. Immediately after leaving school he 
energetically entered into the lumber business and, 
anxious to acquire a practical training and master 
every detail, began his apprenticeship in the 



woods, and later became superintendent of the 
woods business for his fatliei-. 

Our subject is one of the largest stockholders in 
the Jlaxwell Lumber Company, of ."Muskegon. 
Winning his way rapidly to a leading business 
position, he is also one of the princi|)al stockhold- 
ers and a Director of the JIagom it Kimball Coal 
Company, of Muskegon. Attaining a self-reliant 
and intelligent manhood in his native city, Mr. Wil- 
son possesses a host of friends, his genial manners, 
courteous bearing and tine physique attracting all 
with whom he comes in contact, either in social or 
business relations. A general favorite in societv, 
our subject received the congratulations and best 
wishes of a numerous acquaintance when, upon 
March 2, 1892, he was united in marriage with 
Miss Maud F. Marvin, daughter of Dr. Le Ray 
Marvin, a native of New York, hut a long-lime 
and highly regarded citizen of ^luskegon. The 
mother of ISIrs. Wilson, Ellen (D\'er) Marvin, 
born in Ohio, was a direct descendant of the Dyer 
family who, emigrating to America in the " Jlay- 
flower," founded in this country a branch of the 
Dyers who have given to the United States some 
of her bravest and most enterprising citizens, men 
of learning and business ability, and women of 
culture and broad intelligence. The accomplished 
wife of our subject, a lady of refinement and win- 
ning presence, is a most gracious hostess, and she 
and her husband, in their inagnincent home. No. 
37 Peck Street, JMuskegon, entertain royally- many 
of the most distinguished peojjle of the Wolver- 
ine State. 

Politically a Democrat, Mr. Wilson is a leader 
in the local councils of the party, and while his 
ward is one of the strongholds of the city Repub- 
licans, was elected upon the Democratic ticket by 
a handsome majority-. In his otlicial position 
zealous in the service of the city and true to the 
best interests of his constituents, our subject com- 
mands universal confidence and esteem. He is 
fraternally associated with Lovell Mooie Lodge 
No. 182, A. F. h A. M., and is likewise a mem- 
ber of Lodge No. 48, 15. 1'. (). ('., the (irand 
Lodge being located at Cleveland, Ohio. Possessing 
quick discernment and keen judgment, and being 
prompt to grasp a situation, Mr. Wilson has won 



POIiTKAlT AND UlOGRAPIllCAL RECOKD. 



133 



his way to a hisili place anioni; tlie substantial 
biisiiK'ss nifii and capitalists of the State, and in 
the iiandling of large moneyed interests and pub- 
lic trusts has exhibited an executive al)ility which 
assures his alile fullillinent of every oliliiration of 
life as a fnend. citizen and public man, faithfully 
aiding in the general welfare and upward [)rog- 
rcss of his fellow-men. 




NDUKW J. EMLAW. Mr. Emlaw, formerly 
'IU\\ one of the foremost lumber manufacturers 
oftirand Haven, Mich., is now retired 
from the active duties of life, and lives 
in the enjoyment of a handsome home on Frank- 
lin .street, (.hand Haven. His long life of indus- 
try and usefulness, and his record for integrity 
and true-hearted faithfulness in all the relations of 
life, have given him a strong hold upon the com- 
nniiiity which all might well desire to share. His 
career is an exani()le of the prosperity tiiat comes 
to him who strives, for his success in life has not 
been the result of chance, but of his individual 
and contiuuous efforts. Mr. Kmlaw is a native of 
\'crmi)ut. a Slate always suggestive of the honest, 
hard and rugged character in human life, and was 
lioin in Alburgh Springs February 5, 182'J. 

His parents, Michael and Wealthy (Maxfield) 
Einlaw, were both natives of the Empire Slate. 
Tiie father was born on the shore of Lake Cham- 
plain in IHOO. He was a cooper by trade and an 
hone.-t, industrious man. Mrs. Emlaw was the 
daughter of Isaac Maxticld and of Scotch desienl. 
I$y her marriage to Mr. Emlaw she became the 
mother of eight children, the original of this no- 
tice being sixth in oidtr of birth. The early edu- 
cational advantages of our subject were received 
in the distiict schools of Franklin County, N. Y., 
and later he learned the trade of a millwright. 
In the year 1HI!( he came to Michigan and located 
in (irand Haven, where he followed his trade and 
was also engaged in building sawmills up to 18C6, 



when he formed a ]>artncrship with C. L. Storrs 
& Co., the linn continuing under the title for five 
j'eais, when it was changed to Reynolds & Emlaw. 
This firm manufactured i)ine lumlH'rand c(nitinued 
the business successfuly up to 1M7."), when the mill 
burned. In 1881 the (!iand Haven Lumber Com- 
pany was organized with C. IJoyden as President, 
Mr. Einlaw ^■ice-I•l•esident and H. C. \. Keley 
as Secretary and Treasurer. .Mr. Einlaw is sole 
owner of the gas plant of (iiaiid Haven. 

Our subject remained in the business until 1885, 
when he retired, and is now living a happy, con- 
tented life. He has ever been interested in the 
public weal, is generous in his support of worthy 
measures, and is a model citizen, as all who are 
accpiainted with him know. The soul of honesty 
in all his business trans.aclions, by his correct 
mode of living he h.as made numerous warm and 
faithful friends. Blood will surely tell, and men 
who come from good and honored ancestors, and 
are reared in an atmosphere of honesty and good 
principles, will assuredly make their mark in what- 
ever field of labor fate may destine them to work. 
Mr. Einlaw w.as married in 1872 to Miss Louisa 
Bentham, of Grand Haven. Mich., and two children 
have blessed this union, Harlan .S. and IMartha L. 
Mr. Emlaw 's views are embodied in the declar.a- 
lions of the Rejiublican party, and his vote is cast 
with that organization. 



ERNEST A. WORl!i:.N. Willi the develop- 
ment and advancement of any great com- 
; monwealth are indissolubly connected the 

names and careers of certain men who, uniting 
their efforts, and with the love of their countrj' at 
heart, have sought the advancement of their re- 
spective callings, and thus retlccted credit ntit 
onl3' upon themselves, but u|)nu their professions 
and their State. Thus it is that Michigan has 
within her borders many men to whom she may 
justly point the finger of pride, and whose names 
are inseparably connected with her advancement, 



134 



PORTEAIT AND BIOGRATHICAL RECORD. 



morally, intellectually and financially. Standing 
IJi'o-eniinent among the leal-e^tale dealers of Muske- 
gon, Midi.. IS Ernest A. Worden, who lias made his 
name of enduring value in this city. 

This worth}' representative of the real-estate in- 
terests of Muskegon County is a native of Mich- 
igan, born in Utica, Macomb County, Septem- 
ber 2, 1852. His parents, Carey and Mary E. 
(Madison) Worden, were natives of New York and 
New rianipshire, respectively, the father born in 
Dutchess County August 1, 180!), and the mother 
in Chester March 26, 18111. Tlie former is still 
living and makes his home in Almont, Lapeer 
County, jSIich. For many years he was a merchant 
in the Lake State. His wife died on the 31st of 
July, 1861, in Almont, Jlich. Thej- were the par- 
ents of four children, our subject being third in 
order of birth. This was his father's second 
union. 

When two ^ears of age, our subject was taken 
by his parents to Almont, Mich., and there, as soon 
as old enough, he begnn attending the district 
school. Later he entered the High School, and af- 
ter finishing there began clerking in his father's 
store, remaining in the same until eighteen years 
of age. He then came to Muskegon County, and 
in 1872 began clerking in the dry-goods store of 
Smith & Phitt, at Muskegon, where he remained 
until 1880. That year he embarked in the dry- 
goods business on his own account, and continued 
the same until the fall of 1881), when he sold out 
and went South and East in search of health. Re- 
turning to Muskegon in 18'JO, he embarked in the 
real-estate business, and is dealing very extensively 
in city property. He is conducting transactions 
in all branches of the business, buying, .selling, ex- 
changing, etc., and is well equip|)ed and prepared 
to attend to orders and commissions prompti}- and 
satisfactorily. 

In his choice of a life companion he selected 
Miss Lida T. Merrill, a native of Muskegon, Mich., 
and the daughter of E. W. Merrill. 'I'heir union 
was solemnized in 1876, and they have one daugh- 
ter, whose birth occurred May 2S, 1881. They 
have an elegant residence situated in the center of 
the block, and this neat home is of the latest 
style of architecture, is situated on one of the best 



paved streets of the city, and in a good neighbor- 
hood. Socially, Mr. Worden is a Royal Arch Ma- 
son, anil, politically, a stanch Democrat. He and 
his wife are held in high esteem in the community, 
and take a leading part in all worthy movements. 




ON. THOMAS WHITE FERRY, of Grand 

Haven, who was from 1875 to 1877 Presi- 
•^ dent of the United States Senate, and act- 

1^1 ing A'ice-President of the United States,was 
born at jMackinac, June 1, 1827, and was but seven 
years old when he removed with his parents to the 
wild home at Grand Haven, to experience the 
hardships and adversities of pioneer life. He 
received a common-school education and was bred 
to business i)ursuits. M'itli the exception of two 
years spent as a clerk in a store in Illinois, he re- 
mained a co-laborer with his father until the 
hitter's death, in 1867. In iiartnersliip with his 
brother, I']. P. Ferry, he later continued the lum- 
ber business, which under his general management 
was prosecuted with energy and success. 

He early manifested an interest m public mat- 
ters, and at the age of twenty-one years was chosen 
County Clerk of Ottawa County. Two years later, 
in 1850, he was elected a Ueiiresenlative to the 
ISIichigan Legislature to serve a term of two 3-ears. 
In 1856 he was elected State Senator for two years. 
For eight years he was an active member of the 
State Republican Committee. He was a delegate- 
at-large, and one of the Vice-Presidents of the 
National Republican Convention at Chicago in 
1860, which nominated Abraham Lincoln. In 
1863 he was appointed Commissioner for Michigan 
of the Soldiers' National Cemeter}' at Gettysburg. 
In 186 4 he was elected a Representative to the 
Thirty-ninth Congress, and was re-elected success- 
ively to the Fortieth, Forty-first and Forty-second 
Congresses, serving on some of the most important 
committees. In January, 1871, after an exciting 
contest, he was elected United States Senator for 
six years. He cousequentlj' surrendered his fourth- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



135 



term place in the House of Representatives of the 
Fort3'-secon<l Congress, and look Ins |,lace in the 
Senate March 4, 1871. His services of six years 
in tlie House, and tlie legishitive experience there 
obtained, were recognized when he entered tlie 
Senate. He w.-is chosen Chairiiian of the Conimittec 
on Revision of Rules; afterwards was repeatedly 
elected President pro tempore of the Senate; and b}' 
virtue of this otlice, U[)on the death of Vice-Presi- 
dent Wilson, liecamc Acting \ice-l'residenl of the 
United States. He was president of the joint 
meeting of the two houses of Congress during the 
intensely exciting count of the electoral votes 
resulting in the choice of President Hayes and 
Vice-President Wheeler. In this position he 
acquitted himself with such impartiality and abil- 
it}', that he was re-elected ^larcli 4, 1877, by a 
unanimous vote President pro tempore of the 
Senate. In January, 1877, he was re-elected 
United States Senator, to serve for the term of six 
years. In early life he acted with the Whigs, but 
joined the Republican party as soon as it was 
organized, and at once became a zealous advocate 
of its principles. In every campaign since 18G()- 
he has canvassed the State in behalf of the Repub- 
lican candidate. As a public speaker his power 
lies in his earnest language, concise statements and 
sound logic, without any attempt at eloquence or 
oratorical displa}'. His course in Congress has 
met with the general a|)probation of the people of 
all parties in Michigan. He has done inucli to ad- 
vance the interests of his native State. To his 
efforts Jlicliigan is generally indebted for the 
generous river and harbor improvements which 
have so materially aided in developing her re- 
sources and in preserving the lives and property 
of her citizens. It was mainly through his efforts, 
also, that the beautiful Island of Mackin.ac, or as 
much of it as belongs to the liiited Stales, has 
been converted into a National Park. He also 
labored zealously in the cause of the soldiers and 
sailors of Michigan who participated in the late 
Civil War. His s|)eeches on linance have been 
widely read and are highly valued. He has done 
much to perfect the postal system, and his work 
on the Committee on Postollices ami I'ost Roads 
has elicited the highest praise from the press 



throughout the country. The present rules of the 
United States Senate, adopted by that body under 
his revision and report, are a standing tribute to 
his ability as a parlianientaiian. To promote the 
general welfare has been the object of his Con- 
gressional life. An indefatigable worker, cour- 
teous and ui)righl. his career retlecls honor upon 
his Slate and counlrv. 



E*^* 



'^I^^^RGF. DANIEL .1. MORIARTV, known .all 
over the county as "Uncle Dan," belongs 
to one of Ihe Irish-.Vmerican families of 
Muskegon, Mich., and no one is better 
known for earnest industry and devotion to duty, 
as well as for the inlelligeiil management of his 
atfairs, than he. He has been sulliciently shrewd 
to grasi) at every oppt>rUinity offered for the 
bettering of his linancial condition, l)ul has never 
done so at the expense of his own self-respect, or 
by fraudulent means. He has labored faithfully 
for himself and family and is now possessed of a 
competence gained by energetic and well-directed 
efforts. He is well known lo Ihe people of Mus- 
kegon, and his correct mode of living h.as gained 
him a popularity- which is ineritcd in every re- 
spect. 

Our subject was born in Ireland in the year 
1813, and is the son of James and Hridget (Shea) 
Jloriarty, natives also of Ihe Emerald Isle. The 
father followed the occupation of a farmer in his 
native country', and there passed his entire life. 
He was an honest, hard-working gentleman, and 
one whose career was ever upright and honorable. 
The mother, after the loss of her husband, came to 
this country, and made her home finally in this 
county, where she died. "Uncle Dan" received his 
scholastic training in the common schools and 
later attended school at Dublin, receiving a thor- 
ough course of instruction in that city. Finishing 
his education, he came to America in 18(i(5 and 
opened the Muskegon Hotel, later the Forest City 



136 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



House, which he carried on successfully until 1874, 
when it was destroyed by fire and he sustained a 
lieavy loss. 

Following his losses by lire, Blr. Moiinrty eni- 
barkeil in the jewelry business and has continued 
that up to the present time. No man in the city 
occupies a higher position for energy, enterprise, 
public spirit, integrit3^ and business rectitude tlian 
Mr. Moriarty. He is emphatically a business man, 
the carver of his own destiny, and has made it an 
honorable one. In. the year 1833 he was married 
to IMiss Mary Ann Marshall, the daughter of a 
Frenchman, and their nuptials were celebrated in 
New York City. They had an adopted dauglilei. 
Pearl Moriarty Power, who died in July, 1893. 
In politics, our subject is independent, voting for 
the man rather than the party, and has held a num- 
ber of prominent jjositions in the city. He was first 
Alderman of the First Ward, then City Recorder, 
and while Alderman discharged the duties of act- 
ing Mayor repeatc^'dly. 

When starting mit in life for himself, "Uncle 
Dan" first engaged in teaching school, and was 
Superintendent of the schools of New York for 
three years. He was a laborious student, and in- 
vestigated ver^- tli(jroughly every object that fell 
within his duties; :uid he is now a close reasoner, 
a deep thinker, and an honorable, upright citizen. 
He has been an ;iident advocate of the cause of 
the laboring man and is interested in labor unions. 
Before "Uncle Dan" came to this city he held the 
Chair of Abstract .Mathematics and Logic in the 
Notre Dame (Ind.) University, which position he 
occupied for three \ ears. 



^^=^>-^^<i 



yjlLLlAM D. KKLLY. It is the men of 
broad and comprehensive views who give 
'^^ life to communities and build cities — men 
who in the darkness of adverse circumstances as 
well as in more favorable periods look be^'ond the 
clouds and have the pluck and energy and fore- 
sight to push forward their enleri)rises, extend 



speculation and fairly wrest success from calamity. 

Just such a man is William D. Kelly, who is the 
efficient Secretary and Treasurer of Kelly Bros.' 
Manufacturing Compan}-. He is a native of Mich- 
igan, born in Grand Rapids May 15, 1858, and 
the son of Ibnicl and Mary (Clancy) Kelly, both 
natives of Ireland. 

Daniel Kell\-, father of the brothers from whom 
the company takes its name, removed from Grand 
Rapids to Muskegon in 1865. He had encouraged 
the genius of his sons from their earliest efforts, 
and when this firm was formed became the senior 
jiartner. Success achieved by honest industry is 
proverbial among Muskegon manufacturers, and 
the enterprise of the Kelly brothers is a conspic- 
uous example of this fact. In the schools of Mus- 
kegon our subject received a good practical edu- 
cation, and besides learning the cabinet-maker's 
trade he also learned that of ship-building. In 
fact, he has proven himself a genius with tools. 
His designs are original and of the most unique 
character, and no man in Michigan possesses 
rarer qualities in that direction. He does all the 
designing for the extensive works of Kelly Bros. 

In schooU)Oy days, being ambitious to help 
themselves, AYilliam D. and his brother J<ilin 
built a small ferry-boat to run on Muskegon 
Lake, one acting as captain and the other taking 
charge of the engine. The venture proved a suc- 
cess, and from their earnings they were able to 
build a larger and better boat and finally to launch 
in their business career as manufacturers. In 1883 
they organized the Kelly Bros.' Manufacturing 
Company with a capital stock of ^40,000, but have 
increased it to $6l),(M)(). To-day they have an ex- 
tensive manufactory in Muskegon Heights and 
give employment to one hundred and fifty men. 
Their two-story brick building has two hundred 
and sixty-six feet front on McKinney Avenue, 
extending back one hundred and fifty feet, giving 
a fioor space of fifty thousand feel. Their spec- 
ialty is fiiii' interior decoration and intcrinr (inisli. 
They make all the cases for the Lyon i^- llcaly 
Organ Company of Chicago, and the Rigway Re- 
frigerators of Philadelphia, and have filled numer- 
cius extensive contracts for inside finishing, among 
which may be mentioned the Ilackley Library- and 



PORTRAIT AN!) lUOCUAPlllCAL UlXORD. 



137 



many elegant residences- in Miiskearon, the Cuya- 
hoga Huil(lin!j;in Cleveland, and the recent lilting 
of tlie immense refrigerators in the Hotel Lexing- 
ton and Hotel Plaza in Chicago. Their lumber 
sheds and dry-kilns are extensive and thoroughly 
equipped. A one hundred and forty horse power 
Corliss engine furnishes power for the works, and 
a one hundred and lifty incandescent electric light 
plant is maintained for illimiinaling. 



^^.KORGK N. COBB. After many yearsspent 
[If (— , in the pursuit of divers occupations in 
"■^sjji various States, Mr. Cobli. in l!S()!), perma- 
nently located in Norton Townshii), ^luskegon 
County, where he now engages in raising fruit 
and also follows the vocation of a geneial fainior. 
While his estate is not large, aggregating about 
seventy acres, it is well improved and under ex- 
cellent cultivation, proving to a close observer the 
fact that (he owner is a man iif sound judgment 
and intelligence. 

Born in Hartford County, Conn., on the 2 1st of 
February, 18IG, the subject of this sketch is the 
son of Hcv. Amos B. and Mehilable (Ilathawaj) 
Cobb, natives of Connecticut. The father, who 
was a man of broad knowledge and elo<|Ucnce, 
served for many years in the ministry of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church. About 1821 lie re- 
moved to Massachusetts, where he icsided for four 
years, and from there proceeded to New York, 
where he held a number of pastorates in various 
places. In 18:J1 he came to Miiliigan and became 
one of the earliest settlers of Lenawee County. 
During the following year he removed to Kalama- 
aoo County :ind made sett k'Micnt on I'raiiie Ronde, 
where his death occurred in December, 187<i, at the 
age of eighty-six years. He was a man of strong 
character and possessed the perseverance and en- 
ergy that had characltrized his Knglish ancestors. 
His wife also died at Prairie Konde, passing away 
about 18;')'). 

In the parental faiiiily there were live children: 



Alonzo D., who served in the Black Hawk War; 
George N., of this sketch; Algernon; David, who 
died in Wilmington, III.; and Fannie, who passed 
away while residing in Iowa. The only surviving 
member of the family is the subject of this brief 
notice. He passed the years of childhood and 
youth beneath the parental root, and was a mere 
lad when he gained a thorough familiarity with 
agricultural pursuits by laboring on his father's 
farm. At the age of twenty he commenced to 
work for himself, and for a time was in the em- 
ploy of a farmer residing at Ionia, INIicli. After 
working for him during two summer seasons, he 
returned to Prairie Ronde. where he staged one 
winter. 

From Michigan proceeding to Illinois, Mr. Cobb 
made the journey via Lake .Michigan from St. 
.Toseph to Chicago, and visited the latter city when 
it had a population of only eight thousand inhab- 
itants. From there he went to Boone County, I II., 
where he spent one year, working by the month at 
anything he could (ind to do. Next he removed 
to Wisconsin, where he spent about three years in 
the pineiies, sixty miles from the nearest postolfice. 
Thence returning to Racine County-, Wis., he 
stayed for ten years there, being occupied ])rinci- 
pally .as a teamster between Milwaukee and Chi- 
cago. 

Soon after the close of the Civil War, ^Ir. Cobb 
removetl to northwestern ^Missouri, where he re- 
sided until 18();), engaged in farming pursuit^!. 
Coming to Michigan in the year above named, he 
traded some wild land in Wisconsin for fort\-live 
acres in iSIuskegon County, of which alxiiit five 
acres had been improved. Through diligent ex- 
ertions and nil tiring efforts, he has placed the 
principal part of his estate \inder excellent eulli- 
valion, and, although not the largest, it is con- 
ceded to be one of the best farms in Noiton Town- 
shii). Farming has been the principal occupation 
of his life, but he has also been c)lherwise engaged 
at various times. For Iif teen years he managed 
and operated a box factory on the bank of Lake 
Harbor. 

The mariiage of Mr. Cobb occurred in the town 
of 'IVxas, Kal.Miiiazoo County. Mich., in 1818, and 
united him with Miss Helen Tabor, who was born 



138 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



in New York. She is the daugliler of Abram and 
Eliza Tabor, earlj settlers of Kalamazoo Count}-, 
botii of whom resided there until death. Unto 
our subject and his wife there were born two chil- 
dren, one of whom, Lester G., is deceased. The 
only surviving child is Rush 15., who is now mas- 
ter of a steamboat on Spring Lake. In politics 
Mr. Cobb has always been a strong adherent, lirst 
of the Whig party and later of the Republican. 
Ills father was also a sti'ong Whig s3'mpathizer 
and later becan.e a Reiublican, but at the time 
of the nomination of Horace Greeley for the Pres- 
idency he changed liis views and gave that famous 
Democrat his firm allegiance and his ballot. Our 
subject cast his first Presidential vote for Henry 
Cla}'. He has served in a number of political ca- 
pacities, and has been prominent in tiie public life 
of the community. For a time he represented his 
township on the County Board of Supervisors, 
and he has also olllciated as .Justice of tlie Peace. 
Socially, he has been a member of the independ- 
ent Order of Fellows at Kenosha, Wis., for many 
years. 



^p^ OVERT KEl'PEL is numbered among the 
(|| J- — successful :ind efficient business men of 
^^jj Zeeland, where he has resided for many 
years. He is a n:iiive of the ijrovince of South 
Holland, and was born December 1.5, 1839, being 
the son of Iluibert and IMargaret (De Jong) Kep- 
pel. His ))aternal grandparents, Teunis and .Jen- 
neke Keppel, were also of Dutch birlii and |>arent- 
age. Huibert Kep|iel w,-is born February 12, 1805, 
and grew to manhood in the land of his nativit}'. 
In 1847, aceoinpiinied by his family, he took pas- 
sage on a vessel bound for America, but was ship- 
wrecked and obliged to remain in England for 
nine weeks before tiie sliip could pursue its on- 
ward course. Although he left Holland in Octo- 
ber, he did not land in New Orleans until the 14th 
of the following April. 



Having a brother in Keokuk, Iowa, Huibert 
Keppel jn'oceeded up the Mississippi River to that 
point, and in May, 1848, came to Zeeland, IMich., 
where he purchased a yoke of oxen and eighty 
acres of land. In addition to farming interests, 
he also engaged extensively in buying and selling 
flour, meeting with considerable success in that 
undertaking. Politically, he is a Republican, and 
has served in numerous otiicial capacities, among 
which may be mentioned that of member of the 
School Board. In the Reformed Church he occu- 
pied the position of Deacon for many years. He 
is a man of energ}' and high capabilities, and al- 
though he has met with many obstacles in life, 
success has crowned his well-direettd efforts and 
he now occupies a ])roniinent position among the 
citizens of his community. 

Huibert Keppel has been three times married, 
and by his first union had nine children, six of 
whom survived to mature jears: Kunder, whose 
death occurred in Zeeland; Teunis, who enlisted 
in the Thirteenth JMicIiigan Infantry, and died in 
the Kalamazoo Hospital; Jenneke; Govert; Her- 
bert, who died at the age of forty-three; and Dirk, 
who enlisted in Company D, Twenty-fifth Michi- 
gan Infantry, and was killed on Wilmington Is- 
land, near the city of Savannah, April 16, 1802. 
The mother of these children died in Holland in 
1844. She was a daughter of Govert De.Jong. a 
hotel-keeper in that country. The second wife of 
Mr. Keppel w.as Dirkje Den Hertog, who died in 
Zeeland. The third wife was Mrs. Boar, who is 
now deceased. 

After carrying on his studies in the district 
schools for a few years, our subject began to make 
his own wav in liie world, at the age of twelve. 
He remained in his father's employ until he was 
twenty-tive, after which he engaged in the mer- 
cantile l)usiiie>s ill Zeeland for two years. Subse- 
quent to this, he purchased an eighty-acre farm, 
where for four years he tilled the soil and success- 
fully conducted agricultuial pursuits. I'pon dis- 
posing of his farm in 1872, he embarked in the 
milling business, and in 1877 purchased a one- 
third interest in the concern. Later he bought 
out the interests of his parliieis, and now owns 
the mill, which he has greati}' improved and ren- 




^^. 




PORTliAlT A^D lilUGRAPlllCAL KECORD. 



Ill 



dered more valuable bv llie iiitrodiietion of llie 
roller syi.tcin. 

In addition to the nnllino business, Mr. Kcppel 
has other valuable iiitore.sts in the villaj^e where 
he makes his liome. lie was one of tlie organizers 
of the furniture factuiv, in wiiifli he is now a 
stockholder. He is a stanch I{ei)ul)lican in poli- 
tics, and is now serving his fourtii term as Presi- 
dent of the village, in wiiicli capat'ily he lias ren- 
dered excellent service to his fellow-citizens, and 
h.as been instrumental in introducing a miniber of 
needed improvements. As a member of the School 
Hoard, his labors have been effective in promoting 
a high grade of scholarslii]i and in seeming the 
teaclier.s best qualified for the work of iii>tniction. 

June 2r>. 186.5, Mr. Keppel was united in mar- 
riage with Miss Magdalena M., daughter of John 
and Magdalena M. (Muelendyk) De Pree. They 
were the ])arents of seven children, six of whom 
are living: Huibert. John, Tennis, Magdalena M., 
Margaret and Allie. One child, Magdalena, died 
at the age of two years. The religious home of 
the family is in the Dutch Reformed Church. As 
the architect of his own fortune, having through 
energy and tireless effort secured a large measure 
of success, Mr. Keppel is deserving of the high re- 
gard in which he is held by all who know him, 
and is entitled to more than passing notice in 
enumerating the'successful men of Ottawa County. 



|L_^ON. >'KLS()X 1)K LONG. At the l',.u- of 
Ijjj. the State of Michigan many men have 
1^^^ won brilliant triumphs, but none have at- 
(^) tained a greater fame than that which a 
just recognition of his talents brings to Mr. De 
Long, wlio is conceded to be the ablest juiy 
lawyer in central and western Michigan. To him 
belongs the distinction of having won a larger num- 
ber of cases than any attornej' in this part of the 
State. In addition to his professional labors, lie 
has held with honor various local positions of 
trust, and has twice been chosen Mayor of Muske- 



gon. As chief executive he vigorously promoted 
the interests of the city and made an enviable 
record, which, in connection with other ([ualitics, 
has contributed to his po])iilarity throughout the 
city and county. 

A native of Michigan, our subject was Ixini in 
Essex, Clinton County, November 0, 1818. His 
parents. Nelson and I.ydia A. (Ayers) De Long, 
were widel3- known and highly esteemed in the 
Wolverine State, 'i'lic father, an industrious man 
and upright citizen, was a farmer by occupation 
and a practical general agriculturist. Emigrating 
from the Empire State, he located in Clinton 
Couiity, where he made his home until his death, in 
1891. He came to Micliigan a young man full of 
ambition and earnest purpose to win his way in 
life, and was successful in his vocation. .\ pioneer 
of Clinton County, he shared the privations of 
the early days, and, clearing, cultivating and im- 
proving the land, particiiiated in the piomc)tioii of 
the fanning interests of his adopted .State. His 
beloved wife, daughter of John .\3ers, entered 
into rest many jears before her husband, passing 
away in 1874. 

Our subject was the fourth of the seven chil- 
dren, of whom five yet survive. Heaied upon the 
old homestead in Clinton County, he attended 
the public school of Essex and assisted his father 
in the care of the farm, devoting a large part of 
his time to agricultural pursuits until he had 
reached nineteen years, when he enjoyed the ben- 
efits of instruction in the Normal School at Maple 
Kapids. Having completed his studies in the lat- 
ter well-known institution, he taught school for a 
time and then entered the law department of the 
State University at Ann Arbor, from which he was 
graduated March 29, 1871. He then located in 
Maple Kapids and began the practice of his pro- 
fession. 

Succeeding as an advocate at the Bar, Mr. De 
Long likewise met with public favor, and was 
elected Justice of the IVace and also held the im- 
portant position of Circuit Court Commissioner. 
In the month of August, 1873, he removed to 
Muskegon and opened an olliee for the gencial 
practice of law. In a brief time he entered into 
partne.ship with .loali Maker, under the firm name 



142 



PORTRAIT AKD BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



of Baker & De Long, the partnersliip continu- 
ing until 1875, when Mr. Baker retired from the 
firm. Mr. De Long continued the practice of Lis 
profession alone until 1881, when he formed a 
partnership with William W. and Eugene Fellows, 
under the firm name of De Long, Fellows & Fel- 
lows. In the fall of 1876, he was chosen to fill 
the oflice of Prosecuting Attorue3' and served in 
that capacity for one terra. In 1880 he was re- 
elected, holding the position until .lune, 1882, 
when he resigned. Forming a partnership with F. 
W. Cook and Eugene Fellows, under the firm title 
of Cook, De Long & Fellows, he conducted his 
practice in this connection until Novemher 10, 
1881. 

In the spring of 1882, Mr. De Long made the 
race for Mayor on the laboring men's ticket 
against a prominent Democrat, who was nomi- 
nated by the Republicans and Democrats. Not- 
withstanding this opposition, he was elected by 
the handsome majority- of nine hundred and sixty- 
one votes. In 1883, he was re-elected chief exec- 
utive of the city. He formed a law partnership 
with .James O'Hara in 1887, and the firm contin- 
ued until August, 1898. In 1887 he was promi- 
nently brougiit before the people as candidate for 
Circuit Judge, on the Democratic ticket, but, the 
district being overwhelmingly Republican, he suf- 
fered defeat. From 1889 to 1891, he served as 
Attorney of the city of J\Iuskegon. In 189.'5 he 
was again nominated on the Democratic ticket for 
the position of Judge of tiie I^ourtecnth Judicial 
Circuit, comi)Osed of Muskegon and Uceana Coun- 
ties, and his popularitj^ at home is attested by the 
fact that he had a majority- of nearly one thou- 
sand in JIuskegon County. Oceana, however, con- 
tributing to his opponent's majority, secured the 
defeat of Mr. De Long. 

June 27, 1872, occurred the marriage of Nelson 
De Long and Miss .Jennie L. ^IcCartne^', an ac- 
complished young lady residing in JIaple Rapids, 
Mich., and the daugiiter of Kobert and Lou (Web- 
ster) McCartney. The maternal grandfather of 
Mrs. De Long was Lyman Webster, a man of abil- 
ity and high position. In February, 18911, Mrs. 
Dc Long departed lids life, leaving one child, a 
daughter, Nina L., who resides with her father in 



their beautiful home at No. 98 Rawson Street, 
Muskegon. Mr. De Long and his daughter oc- 
cupy a position of distinction in social circles and 
enjo_v the regard of their acipiaintances. 



-^^l 



H 



ON. DWIGHT CUTLER. Every man in 
rji' the United States, b3' birth or its equiv- 
alent, shares or is a share-owner in the glo- 
rious privileges of our Government to 
forge tlirough the ranks of the man^' and become 
one of the few. A man who possesses the ability 
to do this, who by years of patient toil and un- 
swerving loyalty to truth and integrity forces his 
way through the multitudes of others equally as am- 
bitious and determined, and- wrests from the world 
a meed of victoiy, does not need a piece of aca- 
demic parchment, learnedly inscribed, to make his 
life valuable to the comnuinity in which he lives, 
for by his sterling methods and his high moral 
purpose he h.as become a leading factor in tlie 
conservatism of the good government of his com- 
munity and a valuable exami)le to those whose 
efforts in human progress have just begun. Such 
a man is Hon. Dwight Cutler, President of the 
First National Bank of Grand Haven, and one of 
the most proniinent business men of that thriving 
city. 

Mr. Cutler i» a product of the old Bay .State, 
born in Amherst, November 14, 1830, and is the 
son of Dr. Isa.ac G. and Nanc^^ (Hastings) Cut- 
ler. Great-grandfather Cutler was a native of 
Wales, but came to .\merica at an early date, and 
his grandson was one of the first settlers of Am- 
herst, Mass., w^iere he and his wife passed the re- 
mainder of their days. Dr. Culh'r was one of the 
most eminent physicians and surgeons of his day, 
and his extensive pr.actice continued until his 
death, in 1831, when our subject was but fdur 
j'cars of age. ^L•s. Cutler's father was one of the 
first settlers of Amherst, Mass., and was a man of 
considerable prominence. 

Tiie original of this notice received his scholastic 



PORTRAIT AND J5I0GRAPIIICAL RECORD. 



■l:i 



training in Willis^ton Seminary, Kastlianiplon, 
Muss., and took a special course of instruction. 
When about eijiliteen j-ears of age lie made his 
way to (iiand Haven. Midi., aii<l entered the em- 
ploy of Gilbert A- Co., forwarding and coinmi>sion 
merchants, continuing with tliat company for 
three years and meeting with unusual success. 
During that period lie purchased a number of ves- 
sels, both sail and steam, that were used in con- 
nection with his business. In IHGd Jlr. Cutler 
commenced the lumber manufacturing business 
with Hunter Savidge, of .Spring Lake, a vill.ige 
two miles distant fiom New Haven, and bought a 
sawmill known as the old Hopkins Mill. Since 
then Mr. Cutler and his |):irtner have bought one 
mill, built another, and formed a stock compan^^ 
with a paid capital of ^500,000. This is the larg- 
est lumber manufacturing firm in western Mich- 
igan. They handle upwards of one hundred mill- 
ion feet of lumber in one season, but average 
about fortj' million annuali\-. 

This lirm had large wholesale lumber 3ards in 
Michigan City. Indianapolis and .South Uend, Ind., 
and in Detroit, JIich.,and they ship their lumber to 
almost all parts of the I'nited .States, while their 
mills and lumber interests give empio^-nient to 
over five hundred men most of the year. Tliej' 
own extensive tracts of pine land tributary to 
Grand River. In 1872 Mr. Cutler erected the 
largest and finest hotel building in the State of 
Michigan. It stands on M'ashington Street, in 
Grand Haven, is an ornament to the cit}', and is 
known abroad as a Grand Haven summer resort. 
It was named for himself, being called the Cutler 
House, and cost, including furniture, etc., |20(1,()00. 
The architecture of the building is most beautiful, 
def^'ing criticism, and the inner appointments are 
excellent. The same year Mr. Culler, with others, 
organized the First National Itank of that city, 
and held his connection with the .sanie for Iwenty 
years. The charter expiring, he helped to organ- 
ize the National Hank of Grand Haven and was 
made President, whlcli pd^iljon he has held since. 
This is one of the solid institutions of the State of 
Michigan and is located in the Cutler I'.lock. 
During 1870 and 1871 iMr. Cutler held the olHce 
of Mavor of Grand Haven and discharged the 



duties of that inipoitaiit position in a most illi- 
cienl iiiaiiiu'r. He has filled the olliee of .School 
Trustee for nearly twenty years, but has never 
a.-.piied, however, to the honors of public position, 
having declined to accept an3' of the St.'ilc or na- 
tional offices his friends proffered him. 

In politics, our subject is independent, voting 
for the man, irresi)eeti ve of party, and his religious 
views are emliodied in the I'aith of the Unitarian 
Cluircli, of which he is a worthy member. He is 
public-spirited in the highest degree and takes a 
deep interest in national, State and eountv affairs, 
and every effort tending to the enhancement of 
the public welfare h.as his untjualified support. 
He is now sixty-three years of age, in the full en- 
joyment of health, and has been a resident of 
Grand Haven many 3-ears, during which time he 
h.as identified himself with every worthy enterprise, 
his brilliant mental qualities fitting him in an ad- 
mirable manner to lead whenever he so desired. 

Mr. Cutler was married on the lOtli of February-, 
1858, to Miss Frances E. Sl.ayton, of Stowe, A't., 
and five children have been given them: Millicent 
S.; Esther P., wife of John N. Bagley, of Detroit, 
Mich.; Dwiglit, Frances and Mary. During Ins 
first year in Michigan Mr. Cutler received ^.")0 and 
his board, but hisspleiidid businessacuiiien brouglil 
him to the front, and he is now one C)f the promi- 
nent capitalists and representative business men 
of the State. 



^4^ 



t^- 



"Sl 



'l^ ON. DANIEL UPTON, Sh., dece.tsed, a 
highly esteemed pioneer settler of Jliclii- 
gaii, who througlKJUt a long career of lioii- 
^ ored usefuliics> in the Wolverine Stale 
held with ellieieiuy and integrity high positions 
of trust, passed to his rest at JIuskegon Heights 
.lune 30, 1811.'!, niouriied as a public loss. Horn 
in Newburg, Dutchess County, N. Y., August 
27, 1818, our subject was only seventeen years of 
age when, a bright ambitious youth, he came with 
his parents to Jackson, Mich., :iiid from 18;!,') until 



144 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



his demise, a period of almost three-score years, 
was as a leading citizen inliraalely associated with 
the development of the great West. His father, 
Samuel Upton, a native of Providence, K. I., sur- 
vived his removal toJMicliigan many years, p.assing 
away about a quarter of a century- later, upon 
January 3, 1860. He was a man of upright char- 
acter and steadfast purpose and commanded the 
high regard of all who knew him. The paternal 
grandfather, also Samuel Tpton, was a long-time 
resident of Rhode Island, making his home for 
many years in Providence. The Uptons were 
originally subjects of (ireat Britian, but emigrated 
from Kngland to tlie United States in an early 
period of our Colonial liistory. The mother, in 
maidenhood Charlotte Frost, born in Westchester 
County, N. Y., was the descendant of a long line 
of English forefathers, the Frosts settling in New 
England not long after the landing of the I'ilgrim j 
Fathers. 

Our subject passed the days of childhood in his 
birthplace, and received a good common-school 
education in the home district. His father was at 
one time a prominent woolen manufacturer, and 
acquired a comfortable com|)etence. The Hon. 
Daniel Upton, Sr., from 1859 to 18GG was widely 
known as the popular County Clerk of Jackson 
Count}', and in 1866 was elected to the Legisla- 
ture, being sent from the second district of Jack- 
son County to the House of Representatives, 
wliere he served on important committees and 
faithfully discharged the duties entrusted to him 
by ills constituents. In the fall of 1867 our sub- 
ject left his long-time iiome in Jackson, Mich., and 
permanently located in Muskegon, wliere for a 
twelvemonth he engaged in merchandising. I>ater 
he here conducted an extensive and profitable 
real-estate business, continuing in the same until 
his death. He had for many years been an expert 
on values of both inside and outside property, and 
in all matters of local improvement was animated 
with enthusiastic enterprise until the close of his 
life. In June, 181)1, upon the organization and 
building of Muskegon Heights, he accepted the 
position as Clerk of the Heights, and with rare 
ability transacted every detail of the business de- 
volving upon him until smitten by mortal illness. 



F"rom 1876 until 1880, Mr. Upton rendered most 
satisfactoiy decisions ao Justice of the Peace and 
Police Judge of Muskegon, and ellicienlly holding 
this position as he did tiie other ollices with which 
the public lionored him, possessed the universal 
regard of his fellow-citizens. 

U[)on November 2, 1848, were united in mar- 
riage Daniel Upton and ^liss Mary E. Strong. The 
latter was born in Lansing, Tompkins County, 
N. Y., and was a daughter of Edward and Harriet 
A. (Egan) Strong, the former a native of Tomp- 
kins County, N. Y'. Her mother was a native of 
Johnstown, Fulton County, N. Y. Our subject 
and his worthy wife became tiie parents of two 
sons and one daughter. Edward S., the eldest- 
born, is a citizen of Lake Harbor, Midi.; Daniel, 
Jr., resides in Muskegon; Cornelia C. is the wife 
of Charles Pett, of Fernandina, Nassau County, 
Fla. Mrs. Upton, surviving, is a member of the 
Episcopal Church, but our siibject, clinging to the 
simple form of worship maintained b}' his ances- 
tors, was an Orthodox (Juaker, a devout Christian 
man, whose rule of life was to do unto others as 
he desired tiiem to do unto him. A true friend 
in the hour of need, a citizen of high principle 
and fidelity, the memory of the Hon. Daniel Upton 
will long be precious in tlie hearts of the many 
who knew and loved him. 



J 






<'il IfelLLIAM 11. STEVENSON, Postmaster at 
\/y/l F'"U'^^POi't, is a native of Onondaga County, 
^7^ N. Y., and was born near the city of S^-r- 
acuse, Jul}' 31, 1830. He traces his ancestry to 
one of three brotiiers who emigrated to America 
in company with William Pcnn and settled in 
Pennsylvania, where the descendants for many 
generations resided. The family was prominent 
in the Society of Friends, and possessed the noble 
traits of character noticeable among the Quakers. 
The father of our subject, William Stevenson, 
was born in New Jersey, and emigrating to New 
York when a^-oung man spent his remaining ^-ears 



PORTRAIT A^■D BlOGRAPiUCAL RICCORD. 



145 



in that State, dyinsr in Cayu<i::i County. Ilis wife, 
whose maiden name was Sopliia Clark, was horn 
in the Empire Stale and died in Illinois, whither 
she had gone witli the intention of makiuu; her 
home with a son and daughter. Iler remains were 
taken back to New York and interred in llie old 
cemetery where several other memhers of the fam- 
ily- had been laid to rest. She was the mother of 
five sons and two daughters, all but one of whom 
are still living. 

The fourth in oider of birth is the subject of 
this sketch. A child of two years when his par- 
ents removed to Cavuga County, N. Y., he was 
there reared to manhood, receiving his primary 
education in the common scIkjoIs and afterward 
attending the Auburn Academy and the school at 
Aurora. On the 3tUli of November, If^.'i!), he was 
united in marriage with Miss Sarah A. Smith, who 
was born in Port Byron, X. Y., being a daughter 
of Walter II. and Nancy Smith. Our subject and 
his estimable wife are the parents of two sons and 
two daughters, namely: Augustus W.; William 
Clifton; Anna 15., the wife of Charles D. Collins, a 
resident of Grand Rapids, Mich.; and Jessie H., 
who is at home. 

During the late war no resident of Auburn, 
N. Y., w.as more active than our subject in arous- 
ing the enthusiasm of every patriotic son of Amer- 
ica in our country's behalf. In 18G1 he assisted 
in raising Company B, Seventy-fifth New York 
Infantry, of which he was chosen First Lieutenant. 
With the assistance of another gentleman he 
raised the Tenth Company, which he organized 
for service in the Union army. Indeed, he w.as so 
successful in securing recruits that he was sent 
back after going to the front in order to raise an- 
other company, and of this, upon organization, he 
was made Captain, serving in that capacity for 
about twelve months. Finally he was compelled 
to resign on .account of poor health, after having 
very nearly suffered the loss of his sight, lie par- 
ticipated in the bombardments of Ft. Pickens, be- 
ing temporary commander of the company at the 
time. 

During the year 1869 JNIr. Stevenson emigrated 
from New York to Michigan, and, coming to Mus- 
kegon County, located in what is now Fruitport, 



having previously inirchascd a large tract of land 
here. Afterward he disposed of the major part of 
his possessions to wli.at is known as the Fruitport 
Company, although he still retains the ownersliip 
of valualile proi)erty. He has witnessed the growth 
of the village and has been closely identified with 
its progress. In 1887 he was ap))oinled Postmas- 
ter under the administration of President Cleve- 
land, and served lliroughoul the entire period of 
President Harrison's administration and is still 
the incumbent of the oflice. A number of years 
since he was appointed Township Supervisor, and 
in 1890 was elected to that position; he has been 
re-elected each succeeding year and is the present 
re[)reseiitative of the township upon the County 
Board. Always an ardent Democrat, his first 
Presideiilial vote was cast for Franklin Pierce in 
1852, and lie has since upheld the principles advo- 
cated by the Democratic party. In religious mat- 
ters lie leans to the Congregational Church, of 
wiiicli his wife is a member. 



.»■'>— 1 I II I I 



f I I I ^ I ' ■! 



/p^EOROK T. HITCHCOCK, the popular and 
ill f—^ elHcient Superintendent of Lake Michigan 
^^^|l Park, ]\Iuskegon, ]Micli., is especially well 
adapted to meet the demands of the public position 
which he occupies with intelligent ability and a 
practical knowledge, clearly indicating that he is 
the right man for the place, and insuring to the city 
the proper management and supervision of one of 
the most charming garden spots of the State. Our 
subject is a native of Ireland, and was born in 
County Wexford Jlarcli 10, 1845. His paternal 
grandfather, Thomas Hitchcock, by nativity' an 
Englishman, when arrived at mature age removed 
to Ireland, where, remaining until his death, lie 
reared to self-reliant usefulness his son and name- 
sake, Thomas, the father of our subject. Thomas 
Hitchcock, .Ir., born, edupated and married in the 
Emerald Isle, was a man of earnest purp se, ener- 
getic and enterprising, and finally determined to 
tr}' his fortune in the rniled States. Crossing the 



146 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



ocean and landing safely upon American sliores, 
lie journeyed to Michigan and settled in IMu.-^ke- 
gou County, where he passed peacefully away af- 
ter a long life of husy industry, in 1H.H7. The 
mother, Ann (Keerfud) Uitclicoek. likewise a na- 
tive of Ireland, emigrated with her husliand and 
family to America, and died in 188,"), in Muskegon 
County. 

Our subject, spending tlie days of early boyhood 
in Ireland, there attended the common schools, 
and had arrived at thirteen years of age when he 
crossed tiie broad Atlantic with his (jarents, and, 
eight and a-half weeks upon the voyage, safely 
landed at last in Quebec, Canada. After settling 
with his father and mother in Muskegon County, 
George enjo3'ed the benefit of instruction in the 
excellent public schools of his home localit}*, and 
at a comparatively youthful age self-reliantly be- 
ginning the battle of life, found occupation in a 
sawmill, and for ten consecutive years ran a mill 
for the lirni of Ryerson & Ilill. Our subject at 
the expiration of this length of time embarked in 
the hotel business in Newaygo, and later success- 
fully conducted a grocery trade in the same town 
for three j-ears. In 1875 Mr. Hitchcock made 
Muskegon his permanent home, and not long after 
became Superintendent of the S. C. Hall Lumber 
Company, and held the responsible position for six 
years, giving faithful and intelligent service. In 
1890 our subject was appointed Superintendent of 
Lake Park, and has full supervision of the work 
and improvements connected therewith. 

In 1869 George T. Hitchcock and Miss Fannie 
Bradley were united in marriage. She is a native 
of Connecticut, and a daughter of .Tolin Bradlej-, 
likewise born in Connecticut, and tlie descendant 
of a long line of honored New England ancestr}'. 
The union of our subject and his estimable wife 
has been blessed by the birth of one child, a daugh- 
ter, Margaret, an accomplished and attractive 
young lady, now the wife of Clarence Power. Mr. 
and Mrs. Hitchcock reside in a beautiful home 
pleasantly located at No. 230 Beach Street, Muske- 
gon. Our subject is fiaternally associated with 
the Maccabees, and alliliates with Tent No. 56. 
Politically, a strong Republican and an ardent ad- 
vocate of the part}', Mr. Hitchcock has neither 



time nor inclination to devote Iiimself to the cares 
of public oftice, but, a true American citizen, is 
dee])ly interested in both local and national issues, 
and in all matters ])ertaining to home enteri)rise 
and progress is ever ready to lend a helping liand. 
Mr. Hitchcock and hi.s wife are both members of 
the Methodist Episcopal Cliurch. 



\y(j_^ ON. WILLl.VJI II. .MiKINSTRY, Repre- 
'1 sentative from the First District of Muske- 
gon County, and one of the most promi- 
^^ neut members of the State Legislature, was 
born in Ypsilanti, Washtenaw County, Jlich., on 
the 1st of July, 1852. His parents, Hugh and So- 
phia (Clare) ]McKinstry, were natives respectivel}' 
of Ireland and London, England, the latter being 
a daughter of Edward Clare. Emigrating to Amer- 
ica, they sojourned in Canada for a short time, 
and thence removed to the United States, making 
settlement in Washtenaw County, Mich., in the 
city of Ypsilanti. 

In his boyhood our subject was a pupil in the 
public schools of Battle Creek, and afterward at- 
tended the High School in the same place. Upon 
leaving school, he learned the trade of a cigar- 
maker, in which he was engaged for some time in 
various i)laces in the State. His marriage occurred 
on the "ilst of October, 1874, and united him with 
Miss Delia, daughter of Charles G. Williams, a 
prominent citizen of Kalamazoo. Mrs. McKinstry 
was educated in Kalamazoo, and is an accom- 
jjlished and cultured lady, who has ever been a 
faithful helpmate to her husband and his coun- 
selor in everj- undertaking. 

For many years Mr. McKinstry has been closely 
identilied with the public affairs of the city and 
county, where he has resided since 1886. In pol- 
itics an ardent Democrat, he is one of the leaders 
of his i)arty in this section of the .State, and also 
takes an active part in Slate and national politics. 
In 1891 he was ai)i)ointed financial and reading 



POiniJ.Ur AM) UIOfJRAl'IlICAL UKCORl). 



1 17 



clerk in t!ic Stnte Leujislature, and was ic-elfcUMl 
cliinng llu" folh)wiiig year. lk> was chosen in 
1892 as Keprescntative from iiis district for the 
House, and is still serviiifj in that capacity. 

Mr. McKinstry is especially active in all me.as- 
iires pertaining to labor organization, and took an 
important and prominent part in the discussion of 
the Congressional aiipointment and the re-district- 
ing of the State of Michigan. He was the can- 
didate on the Labor ticket, and wjis elected largely 
by the Labor vote. For the past twenty-three 
years he has been an earnest advocate of labor or- 
ganization, and a member of the Cigar-niakers' In- 
ternational L'nion. For several terms he has 
served as President of the Trades and Labor Coun- 
cil. 

As a citizen. Mr. McKinstry is progressive and 
public-spirited, and maintains a constant interest 
in ever}' enterprise calculated to promote the wel- 
fare of his fellow-citizens. lie is liberal in his 
views, keen in judgHioiit, and linn in liis convic- 
tions; altogether, one who would attain prom- 
inence in any community. lie and his wife have 
established a |>leasant home in Muskegon, and are 
held in the highest regard b^- all who know them. 
They are the parents of one child, a daughter, 
Sophia May, in whose education and training they 
take the warmest interest. 



/ 



<& jkllAAXyi M. COMP.. a leading photog- 
\^ll '■''1'''^''' '""^' successful business man, long 
^^ located in Muskegon, Mich., and a genuine 
artist, enjoying a large and rapidly extending pat- 
ronage, gives general satisfaction to his custom, 
and in his style and finish of work is second to 
none in the State. Mr. McCoinb is a native of 
Canada, and was born in Toronto August 28, 
1841. His parents, .lames and Ann (Thompson) 
McConib, were born and reared in Ireland, and, the 
descendants of a long line of honored and useful 
ancestry, received excellent educations in their 



native land, where llifv .-illainid a mature age. 
Young, ambitious and enterpri->ing, they early re- 
solved to emigrate to America, and later made 
their permanent home in Canada. The father, a 
man of means and superior business ability', en- 
tered into mercantile pursuits, and, jjrosperous in 
his venture, amassed a comfortable competence. 
While our subject was yet but a young lad, the 
devoted father and affectionate husband passed 
away, entering into rest in the year 1858. The 
mother, surviving about seventeen years, and a 
woman of earnest purpose and high character, 
died in Ottawa, Canada, in 1875, mourned by all 
who knew her. She was the daughter of .lames 
Thompson, a man of broad intelligence, respected 
for his qualities as a man and citizen. 

Our subject was the ninth in a family of ten 
sons and daughters, of whom but four now sur- 
vive. During his early childhood, Jlr. McCoinb 
attended the common schools of his home localitv, 
but later learned the profession of photography, 
in which he is now an adeijt. He acquired his 
tiaining in art in Ottawa, Canada, and studied 
under the most skillful artists of the Dominion. 
In 1878, determined to try his fortune in the 
States, our sulijcct journeyed to Michigan, and lo- 
cated in Muskegon. He opened a gallery at No. 
19 W. Western Avenue, which he fitted up in the 
latest and most approved style, and in his studio 
uses the modern appliances and the newest inven- 
tions for the exact reproduction of the face and 
figure. To the public Mr. McComb offers a choice 
variety of photographs, varying in size and prices, 
and is now making some of the finest life-size pic- 
tures ever shown in Muskegoii or the county. 
That he has been fully aiipreciated 1)3- the citizens 
of Muskegon is evident from the number of fa- 
miliar faces of people of note to be seen at various 
times in his gallery, as well as through the cabinets 
sent to friends far and near. From the first of his 
establishment here our subject met with gratify- 
ing success, and as the time ])asses his reputation 
as an artist especially successful in posing brings 
him a new and large variety of custom. 

In the year 1861 were united in marriage Will- 
iam McComb aiul ;\Iiss Isllen Walker, an estimable 
and accomplished young lady of Ottawa, C.-tnada, 



148 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



and daughter of James Walker, a lifetime resident 
of the Dominion. Our subject, fraternally asso- 
ciated with the Ancient Free & Accepted Masons, 
is a Knight Templar and a member of the Consis- 
tory and Mystic Shrine of Grand Ka|)ids. The 
family residence is pleasantly located at No. 115 
Peck Street, in one of the most desirable portions 
of the city. Mr. and Mrs. JlcComb occupy a so- 
cial position of influence, and h;ivc made many 
friends in tiicir adopted home, where our subject 
is now numbered among the prominent business 
men and substantial citizens. 



-^>-M-<m^ 







ILLIAM A. ROW. Few citizens of Mus- 
' kegon County are more widely known, 
\V^^ and none are more highlj' esteemed, than 
the subject of this sketch, who is familiaily known 
as " 'Squire" Row. He is the owner of an eighty- 
acre farm located on section 14, White River 
Townsiiip, and which, througli his efforts during 
the comparatively brief period of his residence 
thereon, has been embellished with a numlicr of 
desirable and valuable improvements. Sixty acres 
of the place have been cleared and are now under 
excellent cultivalicm, yielding each year a hounii- 
ful harvest of golden grain. 

The parents of our subject, Sebastian M. and 
Clarinda (Lewis) Row, resided for some time in the 
township of Windom, Dutchess County, N. Y., 
where tiie fatlier followed the trade of a cai'penter 
and joiner. The miilher died in Livingston Coun- 
ty, N. Y., and her remains now lie buried in the 
woods. By a subsequent marriage of Sebastian H. 
Row six children were born, of whom only one 
now survives: Claiinda, wife of Owen 1). K'odgers, 
of Indiana, and the mother of three cliildren. The 
only survivor of tlic cliildren born to the first 
marriage is the subje;-t of tliis notice, wiiose birth 
occurred in Windom Townshii), Dutchess County', 
N. Y., .luly 13, 1826. 

When a mere lad our subject accompanied his 
father to Livingston County, N. Y., the removal 



being made with ox-teams, and settlement being 
made in Portage Township, wliere tlie senior Mr. 
Row erected the first log house ever built in the 
township. At the age of seventeen years AVilliani 
A. accompanied his father to Indiana and settled 
in Whitley County, upon an unimproved tract of 
land. At the age of twent}- he returned to New 
York and there engaged in farming, threshing, 
etc. On the 19th of October, 1848, he married 
Caroline Elizabeth Hewitt, who was born in Liv- 
ingston County, N. Y., August 2.5, 1829, being a 
daughter of James B. Hewitt, a farmer of that 
county. 

In 1866 JMr. Row removed from Livingston 
County, N. Y., to Michigan and settled in Wliite 
River Township, Muskegon County, at the mouth 
of White Lake. For several years he was em- 
ployed in a sawmill, after which he located on his 
present farm, in 1887. His lirst wife died April 
28, 1877, and two of their five children are also 
deceased. The others are: James Henry, who has 
been twice married and is the father of one child 
by his first union; Mary, wife of Fiank Coleman, 
of Montague; and Ella A., who married William 
Hawks, of White River Township. 

May 1 1, 1878, our subject married Miss Libliie 
M. Gilbert, who was born in Canada March 4, 
1841. She is the daughter of William and Sarah 
(Slfian) Gilbert, natives res|iectively of England 
and Scotland. They were married in Nova Scotia, 
and in 1861 came to Michigan, settling in Ne- 
wajgo, where Mi. Gilbert engaged in the wheel- 
wright business. Thence he came to Muskegon 
and settled at Clay Bank, where his death occurred. 
His wife is also deceased, having passed away in 
186.3. They were the |)arents of eleven children, 
of whom the following survive: Mrs. Thursa Rose, 
Mrs. Ellen Dean, Thomas, Charles, Robert and 
Mrs. Row. The last-named grew to womanhood 
in Canada, whence she removed with her parents 
to Michigan. 

Socially, Mr. Row is idenlilied with the Patrons 
of Industry and has served as President of that 
orgimization. He is interested in educational 
matters and has given his children excellent op- 
portunities for .ac(iuiring liberal educations, and 
the}- have all taught school. While holding the 



rORTRATT AND BIOGRAPfflCAL RECORD. 



151 



various school offices, lie has been enabled to 
render efficient service in behalf of the educational 
interests of tiiis district. He was I'Dstmaster at 
the " Mouth " for ten years, and carried tlie mall 
from there to the village of Montague. Politically 
a Republican, he has always taken an active inter- 
est in politics and has fr('(|uently served as dck's;ale 
to county conventions. For two years he filled the 
oflice of Township Treasurer, and lias also served 
as Highway Coinniissioner of White River Town- 
ship and as Justice of the Peace almost ever since 
lt)uating here. In 1878 he w.as elected Su[)er visor 
and served for nine 3'ears consecutively in that 
capacity. 






^i^N O. WATSON. The gentleman whose name 
I jjj heads this sketch belongs to that noble 
(^3^ army of self-made men who have fought 
the battle of life bravel}'. He is now not 
only well-to-do financially, but occupies an envia- 
ble position in the estimation of all who have the 
honor of his acquaintance. As United Slates Col- 
lector of Cu^toms for the District of Mlcliigan, 
with headquarters at Grand Haven, he is the in- 
cumbent of a position for which lie is admirably 
adapted. He was born in St. Lawrence County. 
N. Y., April 10, 18.0;», and is the son of William (i. 
and Betsey .1. (Rushton) Watson, natives of the 
Empire State. 

In 18G7 the iiarcnts of our subject took up their 
abode in Michigan at Coopersville, Ottawa County, 
where the father invested some of his means in a 
stock of mercliandise, and until his death, which 
occurred in the spring of 1888, he conducted a 
successful and remunerative business. His widow 
survived him only one jear, her death occurring 
in 1889. The principal characteristics of Mr. Wat- 
son were extreme kind-heartedness and strict 
commercial integrity, in Coopersville, where he 
spent his best d.iys, he enjoj-ed the confidence, 
un pialitled respect and steadfast frieiulship of the 
man^' to wlioni his virtues, his integrity, and iiis 
high-minded, honorable manliness commended him, 
7 



D. O. Watson is the second member of a family 
consisting of three sons and one daughter. His 
earl}' instruction was such as the public schools of 
Coopersville afforded, but he afterwards finished 
his literary education at Lansing, Mich., pursuing 
his studies there for three 3-ears with gieat indus- 
tiy. He thus acquired an excellent education. 
He was a young man who read and thought, stud- 
ied and applied, and upon his return to Coopers- 
ville he put his knowledge to a good use in his 
father's store. After the death of his father he 
succeeded to the business, buying out the interest 
of the other heirs, since which time he has been so 
intimately connected with the mercantile indus- 
tries of the town, so thoroughly alive to the ne- 
cessity of building u|) a reliable house, complete 
in all its departments, that he has become an in- 
tegral part of the inerciintile life of his section. 

Pre-eniinenlly a man of alTairs, the thorough 
business methods of Mr. Watson made him a suit- 
able ijerson for the responsible position of Col- 
lector of Customs of iNIicliigan, to which position 
he was appointed by Grover Cleveland in 1885. 
He filled the office until March 2, 1889, when he 
retired on .account of the change of administra- 
tion. On the 2d of April, 1893, he was again 
apiiointi'd to the position by President Cleveland, 
assuming the duties of the office April 2G, 1893, 
and since that time he has made his headquarters at 
Grand Haven. He has taken an active part in 
local and Stale politics and for the p:ist four years 
has been Chairman of the Ottawa County Demo- 
cratic Committee. He li.is also been Chairman of 
the Fifth Congressional District Committee, and 
li.as often been a delegate to Congressional, State 
and other conventions. 

In 1880 Mr. Watson wooed and won for his 
wife Miss Winnie Walsh, of Spring Lake, Ottawa 
County, Mich., a daughter of Martin Walsh, a suc- 
cessful merchant and an extensive fruit-grower. 
This union has resulted in the birth C)f two inter- 
esting children, Melvin A. and Margaret K. Dur- 
ing the hot summer months Mr. Watscm and his 
family retire to their comfortable cottage on the 
banks of Spring Lake, where they enjoy the free- 
dom of out-door life. In looking over the events 
of Jlr, Watson's life ime cannot help dwelling 



152 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPinCAL RECORD. 



upon its fair record, and around his name and 
reputation cluster all the manly virtues, truth, 
candor and benevolence, lie is a model husband 
and father, kind and generous in his family, and 
as a citizen and friend it is a privilege to know 
and a pleasure to honor hiin. 



o- 



e APT. WILLIAM MEES, a retired lake cap- 
tain, who is now enjoying a well-earned 
rest after years of arduous toil at his home 
in Muskegon, was born in Somersetshire, England, 
on the 18th of .June, 1826. His parents, William 
and Fannie F. (Baker) Mees. were also natives of 
England. The father served in the British navy 
for the long period of twenty-four years, and at 
length emigrated to Canada, where his death oc- 
curred. 

Capt. jMees, whose name heads this record, was a 
lad of only eight summers when he accompanied 
his parents on their emigration to Canada, landing 
in Quebec. The father was also a contractor of 
canal building and was engaged on the construc- 
tion of the St. Lawrence Canal. Our subject's 
connection with the L.akes dates from his four- 
teenth year, when he went witii his father to Chi- 
cago and secured a position as cook on the 
schooner "Drift," which plied on Lake ■Michigan 
between St. Joseph and Chicago, and was com- 
manded by Capt. William Dougan. Capt. Mees 
sailed on the Lakes until 1892, and rose success- 
ively step by step until he became captain. The 
first vessel he sailed out of Chicago was the -'Henry 
Clay," in 1848. In 1849, he was captain of the 
"Gen. Warren," which he ran for two seasons, and 
later the brig "T. W. Morris" two seasons. He 
then moved to Muskegon, in 1851, and entered 
the employ of Ryerson &. Morris and sailed the 
schooner "Roberts," being in their employ steam- 
boating and sailing for about ten years. 

Later he resumed business on his own account, 
buying a small steamboat, which he ferried across 



Muskegon Lake, being so engaged about two j'ears, 
when he built the passenger steamer "Pon\'," 
which was also put into commission as a ferry 
boat. He afterward sold the above two boats and 
then built the tug "Gettie" in connection with 
Capt. Tom Walters. 

In 1873 be sold the "Gettie" and went to Green 
Bay and bought the steamer "Annie," which he 
took up to Pine Lake and ran between Charlevoix 
and East Jordan for four seasons, and being desirous 
of selling the "Annie," he took her to New Or- 
leans, via Chicago and the Illinois Canal and Illi- 
nois River, and disposed of her to advantage. In 
the following summer he became superintendent 
of the Muskegon Booming Company's floating 
stock and was so engaged about six years. He was 
then engaged as captain of the "Ira O. Smith" up 
to 1891, his practical retirement from the steam- 
boat business dating from that year. He has held 
papers as a pilot and captain for thirty-six years, 
but his whole experience on the Lakes runs back 
to 1842. He is among the oldest lake captains 
living. 

In January, 1848, Capt. jNIees was united in mar- 
riaufc with Miss Winnifred White, a native of Bos- 
ton, Mass., who died June 11. 1888, mourned by 
many friends. Eleven cliildren were born of that 
union, but only three are now living, as fol- 
lows: Mary, now the wife of Ciiarles Brown, a 
resident of Chicago; Eliza, who resides in Lansing, 
Mich., where slie is employed in the State Audi- 
tor's ofBce; and Winnifred, wife of Robert Foster, 
who resides in ISIuskegon. 

On the 18th of November. 1843, during a severe 
storm, Capt. Mees was wrecked off the co.ast of 
South Haven, while sailing on the schooner "Lib- 
erty." Making his way to the shore, he walked 
through two feet of snow to St. Joseph, a dis- 
tance of twenty miles. He met with a number of 
hardships during his life on the Lakes, yet alto- 
gether was very successful in escaping wrecks and 
injury. Since 1892 he has lived retired and his 
rest is well deserved. In politics, he votes with 
the Democratic party and is a stanrh .'idvtJcate of 
its measures. Socially, he is connected with the 
Masonic fraternity, belonging to .Muskegon Lodge 
No. 140, A. F. & A. M. The Captain is widely 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



153 



known throughout this community and has a large 
circle of friends and acquaintances, wlio esteem him 
liiglily for his sterling worth and the many excel- 
lencies of his character. He is an interesting con- 
versationalist, having many entertaining stories 
to tell of his life as a sailor. 



=j^ .4. j) i (O i (^ ••• - m. '■-f) 3» 



; 



«i^*- 



^OSIU'A DAVIKS wa- born in Sidney Coun- 
t3', Me., in January, 1818, and died at his 
home in Muskegon on the 14th of Febru- 
ary, 188.5, at the age of sixty-seven 3'cars, 
respected by all who knew him. His father, Charles 
Davies, who was also a native of the Pine Tree 
.Suite, was a highly educated man, and was quite 
prominent in pul)lic affairs. 

Our subject spent a poi'tiou of his boyhood in 
the county of his nativity, and afterward went to 
Massachusetts, locating in Lowell. There he ac- 
quired his education in the common schools, and 
later started out in life for himself b}- working in 
a cotton mill. On leaving Lowell he weiii to 
Springfield, Mass., where he was emplo3'ed in a 
cotton mill for some time. He was a man of in- 
dustrious and frugal habits, and as the result of 
his economj' and enterprise in his early years, he 
acquired suilicient capital to begin business for 
himself. On coming to the West, he took up his 
residence in Kenosha, Wis., where he established 
and built a foundry and machine sliops. On the 
11th of Novemlier, 18.')8, he came to Muskegon 
and established the Davies Iron Works, in com- 
pany with Mr. Lnierson. This parlnershi)) con- 
tinued for a year, after which our subject l)0uglit 
out Mr. Emerson's interest and eondneled the 
business alone until his death. He l)uill up an 
excellent trade, .-md on account of the liberal pat- 
ronage which he received his business proved a 
pro(ital>le one. 

Mr. Davies was united in marriage witii Miss 
Sarah N. Oa^- in Killinglj', Conn. She is a native 
of WashingUiu, N. H., and a daughter of Abner 
Gay, who w.as born in Dedhain, ,Mass. Her mo- 



ther bore the maiden name of Anna Warren, and 
was a daughter of Daniel Warren, who was born 
in the old firanite .State. The (iay family is of 
English origin, and probably- was founded in 
America in early Colonial da^ys. Jlrs. Davies ac- 
quired iicr education in Massachusetts. Four chil- 
dren were born of the union of our subject and 
his wife, three of whom arc still living, two sous 
and a daughter: (Jenevieve, wife of Lyman Pat- 
ten, of Muskegon; Squire \'., who is Secretary and 
Treasurer of the Davies Iron Works; and Reed S., 
who is now living in Chicago. 

In politics, Mr. Davies was a pronounced Re- 
publican, a stanch advocate of the party, for he 
believed in its jjrinciples and in protection for 
American industries. When called to his linal 
rest his loss was mourned throughout the com- 
munity. Through his successful business career 
he was enabled to leave his widow in comfortable 
circumstances. She still resides at No. 194 Clay 
Avenue, and is a highly esteemed lady. 



•^^E 



is, 



■0 




AVID MILNE. No name is more famil- 
iarly known in Ottawa County than that 
of Milne, and it is so thoroughly' inter- 
woven with its history that a work of this 
character would be incomplete without frc(iuent 
reference to some member of the family. The man 
from New York State has always been a jjotential 
element in the civilization and development of 
Michigan. No better blood was ever infused into 
pioneer life; no sturdier arm ever set about the 
task of subduing the wilderness; and no less vigor- 
ous mental aelivity could have made the State of 
.Michigan what it is. Mr. David Milne is one of 
tlie oldest settlers of Allendale Township and a 
man who, by his upright, honoiable career, has 
won the respect and esteem of all. 

This worthy representative of the old settlers 
first saw the light of day in Tompkins County, 
N. Y., his birth occurring March 'it, 1H:!'.». He was 
tlie only living ehild born to the union of Alex- 



i;.4 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRArHICAL RECORD. 



ander and Margaret (Scott) Milne, both natives of 
Scotland, he of Aberdeenshire and she of Had- 
dingtonshire. Alexander Milne was one of a fam- 
ily of six cljildren, four sons and two daughters, 
and was the first of the family to come to America, 
although all of them except one are now on this 
side of the Atlantic. He settled in Michigan in 
1845, but previous to that had resided for some 
time in New York, and was there married to Miss 
Scott, who had crossed the ocean with her mother 
and four brothers a short time before. At the 
above mentioned date he came to Allendale Town- 
ship and purchased forty acres of land on section 
22, paying for the same $2.50 per acre. The farm 
at that time was covered with heav}' timber and he 
began at once to clear it and build a house, mov- 
ing into the same in the fall of 1846. At this time 
only three families resided in the township be- 
sides our subject: Richard Roberts, John Hanna 
and Ephraim Pierson. Coming to this township 
with our subject were Alexander Scott, .lames 
Scott and their mother and sister. Tiiese indus- 
trious, enterprising pioneers went actively to work 
to subdue the wilderness and make fame and 
fortune for themselves. Later the brothers and 
sisters of our subject came over and settled in 
Michigan. 

When Mr. Milne first settled in the township, 
the nearest gristmill was at Grand Rapids, and the 
settleis look their grists there in skiffs, dugouts, 
steamers, boats, etc., on the river, daily trips 
being made there. The first year Mr. JMiliie and 
the Scott boys took a large whitewood tree and 
formed it into a canoe. This was two and a-half 
feet wide and twenty-six feet long, and in it the}' 
could can-}' a large cargo of provisions either from 
Grand Haven or Grand Rapids, both places being 
accessil)le. While clearing his land of tlie timber 
Mr. Milne made quite a number of shingles each 
year for three or four years, and then turned his 
attention almost exclusivel}' to farming, continu- 
ing this until the time of his death. He was then 
the owner of ninety-seven acres, with forty-five 
.acres well improved. He onl}' resided on the first 
farm he purchased for nineteen years, and then, 
selling out, moved down on (irand River, where 
he improved another farm. This he sold in 1882 



and moved on the place where he received his 
final summons, which consisted of sixty-one acres 
on section 27. He was in his seventy -second year. 
His wife had passed awa.y in 1869. 

Mr. Milne was elected Township Treasurer in 
1851, and served as .Justice of the Peace two terms 
ef four years eacli in succession. In 1855 he was 
elected Supervisor of this township and was re- 
elected five j-ears in succession. After his last 
term as Supervisor he was again elected to the 
office of Township Treasurer, which position he 
held for four or five years. This was from 1860 to 
1865. Later on in life he was appointed Town- 
ship Treasurer, in the eaily portion of the winter, 
and at the election following was again elected 
and held that position for two or three years. He 
and wife were both members of the Methodist Epis- 
copal Church and were among the first Method- 
ists in this portion of Michigan. Thej' brought 
their church letters from New York and were in- 
strumental in forming the first Methodist Episcopal 
Church in Allendale. In the church records their 
names appear among the first. At the organization 
only seven persons joined: Rev, and Mrs. W. C. 
Comfort, Mr. and Mrs. Alexander Milne, Mr, and 
JM IS. Johnson Balcomand Miss Lucy J. Speer. Mr. 
Balcolm was the last of this band of pilgrims to 
pass aw.ay, and many remember with pride his 
efforts to elevate the condition of the new country. 
Mr. Milne was for some time the Sabbath-school 
Superintendent, but he only remained with the 
Methodist Episcopal Church for ten years, and then 
joined the Wesleyan Methodist, in whicli he was 
a Class-leader for a number of j'ears and iield other 
positions. 

David Milne received the principal part of his 
education in Allendale Tovvnshi|), and then for two 
terms attended Adrian College. Being the onl}' 
child, lie remained with his parents during their 
lives and was engaged with his father in agri- 
cultural pursuits. Like his father, he has alwjiys 
followed that occupation, but in connection has 
been engaged in other occui)alions, princijially 
teaching school throughout the county, lie was 
first elected to office in the township in 1861, being 
made School Inspector, and this office he held for 
four years. This position he has filled by election 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



155 



several liraes since. In 1867 he was elected Justice 
of tLe Pciice, holding this position for four years, 
and before his term had expired he was elected 
Supervisor for one year. In 1876 he was elected 
Township Clerk. Since 1870 he ii.as filled the office 
of Justice of the Peace two years, having been ap- 
pointed lo fill a vacancy-. 

Miss Julia A. .Stone, who became liis wife on tlie 
8th of October, 1867, w.as a native of the Empire 
Slate and tiie daughter of William W. and Saraii 
L. (Frencli) .Stone, natives respectively of Massa- 
chusetts and New York. Both families are of 
English parentage. The Stone family came to 
America previous to the Revolulionar}- War, and 
the great-grandfatlier fouglit bravely for inde- 
pendence. Mr. .Stone went from Massachusetts to 
New York when (if teen ^ears of age and came to 
Michigan in 1855. He was a farmer, and on .set- 
tling in this county carried on his chosen occupa- 
tion with success. He and wife were the parents 
of only two children, .hilia and James O., of this 
township. Mrs. .Stone died in 1852, in New York, 
and in 18(>-1 .Mr. Stone was married to Mrs. .lane 
Jessup, nee Beard. Mr. Stone passed away in 1891, 
when seventy years of age. He was a meuiber of 
the Ancient Free & Accepted Masons, and in pol- 
itics was a Republican. 

Botii Mr. and Mrs. .Milne were working mem- 
bers of the Wesleyan .^lelliodist Churcli,he having 
been a member of the same since 1867 and she 
since 1891. Until recently he was a Class-leader 
in his church and he lakes a deep interest in all 
matters pertaining to the welfare and good of the 
church. He has been Church Clerk since 1876, 
when the church was built, and for (piite a nuinl)er 
of years was Trustee of the church. In lfi79 he 
was licensed as a local minister and has been 
recommended lu the .Michigan Annual Conference 
as a local traveling minister. He lias been a dele- 
gale from this circuit lo llie annual conference of 
his church three or four times, and attended the 
meeting in Grand Rapids in 1876, Allendale in 
1878. PilUford in 1885. and Romulus in 1890. 
Mrs. Milne also takes a deep interest in her church 
and is an earnest Christian worker, one who tries 
to follow ihe teachings of the (Tolden Rule. Since 
1879 she h.as labored in the .Sabbalh-school and 



has rarel.v missed a Sabbath, winter or summer. 
She is a member of the Woman's Christian Tem- 
perance Union, and was a delegate at Holland 
in 1889, and at Sparta in 1892. She is also 
Secretary of the Ladies' Aid Society. Jlrs. 
Milne is a lady of intelligence and culture 
and for three years was a very successful teacher 
in Ottawa County. For quite a number of years 
Mr. Milne was a leading Republican, but for many 
3-ears he has voted the Prohibition ticket, and is 
an active worker in the cause of temperance. 



~S] 



i-^-f^i 



ci^^ALMAGE P. COWLES, Clerk of Laketon 
/v^^ Township and a successful farmer of Mus- 
>s^^ kegon Counti", was born in Delaware 
County, Ohio, July 9, 1812. He is a son of Joel 
Cowles. an old settler of Laketorf Township and 
one of its most honored citizens, whose long and 
useful career has been characterized by probity, 
energy and industry, and who now, in his advanced 
years, lives somewhat retired from active labors. 
He was born in Oneida County, N. Y., August 28, 
180G, and was a son of Joel Cowles, a native of 
Connecticut and farmer by occupation. Grand- 
father Cowles was the youngest child of llie family, 
and served sixteen days in the Colonial army at 
the close of the War of the Revolution. Grand- 
mother Cowles bore the maiden name of Susanna 
Pheliis and w.as a native of Conneclicut, where she 
was reared to womanhood in the town of Windsor. 
The youngest of eight children, Joel Cowles, Jr., 
was about nine years of age when he left New 
York and located in Delaware County, Ohio. There, 
in 1837, he married Miss PriscillaSmith,a native of 
New York, who died after becoming the mother 
of six children. They were: Delzon, Melvin and 
Edward, all of whom are deceased; Elmer, who 
resides in St. .I()sei)li, Mieli.; Talmage, the subject of 
this sketch; and Esther, the wife of Daniel Jenkins, 
of St. Joseph, this .State. The second marriage of 
,Ioel Cowles united liini with Mi.ss Kli/.abeth Wil- 
kins,who was born in Guernsey County-, Ohio. They 



156 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



are the parents of four cliildren: Emeline, wife of 
George King; Minnie,wlio marrierl Laughliii Burns; 
Lottie, the widow of Theodore Aley; and Bell, who 
is now in Chicago. 

After his first marriage, Mr. Cowles located in 
Delaware Count}', Ohio, whence he later removed 
to Indiana, and from there to St. Joseph County, 
Mich. In 1863, he came to Muskegon Count}- and 
located in Laketon Township, where he has since 
resided. He entered the land from the Goverment 
and now enjoys the distinction of being the oldest 
settler in the township. He built a small house 
soon after settling on the place, and then cleared 
and improved the land. He now owns one hun- 
dred and thirty acres, although at one time he had 
more in his possession. Politically, he is a Repub- 
lican and cast his first Presidential ballot for John 
Q. Adams; he also voted for W. H. Harrison in 
1840, and for Benjamin F. Harrison in 1892. He 
has voted the straight Republican ticket ever since 
attaining his majority, and has voted at every 
Presidential election, with two exceptions. 

Talmage P. Cowles, the subject of this sketch, 
w IS the fourth in a family of six children, and was 
reared in Ohio until tiie age of seven years. He 
then accompanied his father to Indiana and resided 
in .Steuben County for two years, returning thence 
to Ohio. At the age of twelve years he came to St. 
Joseph, this State, with his father, and two years af- 
terward he commenced to work in the emploj- of 
others, being engaged in farming for some time and 
receiving his wages every mouth. In St. Joseph, 
Mich., April 1, 1864, he was united in marriage with 
Jliss Ursula Englc, wiro was born in St. Joseph 
County April 19, 1845, being the sixth among eight 
ctiildren born to the union of James and Margaret 
(Vincent) Engle. 

After his marriage Mr. Cowles resided in Burr 
Oak Township, St. Joseph County, IMicli., whence 
he came to Muskegon County on the 29th of De- 
cember, 1872, and located in the woods on the farm 
where he now resides. About four acres of the prop- 
erty had been cleared and it was not long before the 
remainder was under fine cultivation. For a time 
he made his home in a little log cabin, but later he 
built the substantial residence at present adorning 
the place. He and his wife ai-e the parents of two 



children: Julia A., widow of Henry Baars and the 
mother of one son, John H.; and James E., who is 
at home with his parents. The home farm com- 
prises twenty acres, upon which are raised the 
various varieties of small fruits. 

A Republican in his ))olitical belief, ^Ii-. Cowles 
lias ofhciatcd in various capacities and has held a 
number of local positions, to which he has been 
elected by his fellow-citizens. In 1891 he filled 
the position of Deputy Clerk, and has also served 
as Township Clerk, School Inspector, School Di- 
rector and Highway Commissioner-. He is a mem- 
ber of the Gi'ange, in the progress of which he is 
warmly interested. He is a man who takes an in- 
telligent intei-est in everything pertaining to the 
advancement of his community, and is a public- 
spirited and progressive citizen. 



E 



DWIN J. SMITH, an able attorney, elo- 
quent advocate and the present popular 
[V — ^ Postmaster of Whitehall, Muskegon Coun- 
ty, Mich., has for over one year discharged the 
duties of his present office to the great accept- 
ability of his fellow-townsmen and the general 
public. Mr. Smith was born at Grand Ka|)ids, 
Mich., November 14, 18.56, and was the son of 
James AV. and Sarah II. Lobdell Smith, widely 
known and highly respected residents of llie Wol- 
verine State. The father, a native of Ohio, ac- 
companying his parents to Michigan in 1853, 
made his home in Grand Hayjids, where he worked 
at his trade of a carpenter until 1869. At this 
latter date he removed to Muskegon, and there 
continued in business as a carpenter and builder 
until his death. James W. Smith was a man of 
excellent business abilit}', a true patriot, and 
served bravely as a soldier in the Tenth IMicliigan 
Cavalry. Enlisting at the breaking out of the 
Civil War, he was severely wounded and dis- 
charged for disabilit}', but later joined the infan- 
try, and, receiving the well-earned commission of 
a Lieutenant, served faithfully until the close of 



PORTlt^VlT AND lilUGUArillCAL liECORD. 



157 



the war. He cntererl into rest in Muskegon in the 
j'ear lb75. His devoted wife, and mother of our 
subject, was the daughter of Jolin I^obdell, a pio- 
neer citizen of Michigan, wlio, arriving from New 
York iu tiie very early days, kept tlie Lombard 
House at Wiiliamston, then one of tlie oldest and 
best hotels of the West. In 18(10 Mr. Lobdell lo- 
cated i)erm:uieiitl\' in tJrand Rapids and was num- 
bered among the prominent hotelraen of that 
thriving city. Esteemed by a host of friends, the 
maternal grandfather of Mr. Smith passed awa}' 
iu 1856. 

Mi-s. Sarah (Lobdell) Smith survived uiilii April, 
IS'.t.S, and throughout her life of bus}- usefulness 
was recognized as a woman of superior attain- 
ments, an earnest Christian wt)rkei-, who gave 
active aid in the cause of temperance. She was 
also prominently connected with the Woman's 
Kelief Corps, and took a leading part in the be- 
nevolent enterprises of her locality. To the two 
sons and daughters who blessed her home she gave 
loving care. Fred E., the brother of our subject, 
single, and a clerk in a store in Muskegon, died 
in September, ISyu. The sister, Ellie, now the 
wife of M. W. Decker, a prosperous contractor 
and builder of Muskegon, began to teach at the 
age of fourteen years, and, continuing iu that vo- 
cation, became one of the most highly valued in- 
structors of her present home. The first ten years 
of Edwin J. Smith's life were spent in the \n\- 
ley City, but he attained to manhood in Muske- 
gon, there receiving a thorough training in the 
newspaper offices. His principal preceptor in that 
line of work was the Hon. George C. Kice, of the 
Chronicle. While only a boy, our subject wrote 
a poem entitled "Pantheism," which, wide!}' read, 
was received with most favorable criticism. At 
sixteen Jlr. Smith furnished a series of articles for 
the Chronicle, which gained him an extended rep- 
utation as a local writer, but at eighteen he de- 
cided to avail himself of the oi)portunity for a 
thorough education and entered the Jluskegon 
High School, from which he was graduated four 
years later, having with honor completed a Latin- 
Scientific course. 

Mr. Smith immediately after leaving school be- 
gan the study of law under the Hon. F. \V. Cook, 



and was admitted to the lluskcgon County Bar. 
Later, upon motion of the Hon. John Fitzger- 
ald, our subject was admitted to practice in the 
United States courts. Since 1881 he has been a 
constant resident of Whitehall, where at the latter 
date he entered upon the successful practice of 
the profession of law. May 25, 1882, true to his 
instincts as a genuine newsjjapor man, Mr. .Smith 
became the proprietor of the Whitehall Forum, 
and, aided by this medium, was soon a leading 
factor in local and St:ite politics. A man of 
bright intelligence and a liberal Republican, he 
has taken an active pari in the conventions and 
local councils of his parly, and has for years been 
Village Attorney of Whitehall. May 7, 1892, ap- 
pointed Postmaster of Wiiitehall by President Har- 
rison, our subject has since devoted himself en- 
tirely to looking after this branch of Uncle Sam's 
affairs. The people of the town, appreciating his 
efficieucj', would be glad, regardless of politics, 
to see the present incumbent serve out his term of 
office. An energetic citizen, untiring and public- 
spirited, our subject has been closely- identified 
with all matters of local progress, and it was 
largely tlirough his determined efforts that the 
village acquired one of the best systems of water- 
works in the State. He gave the "Sylvan Beach" 
its name, organized an improvement company 
and in various ways maleriall}' assisted in needed 
improvements and enterprises. He was one of 
the charter members of the Sons of Veterans of 
Whitehall, of which he was First Sergeant. Fra- 
ternally, he is also connected with the Odd Fel- 
lows, and has been Chief Patriarch of the En- 
campment and Vice-Grand of the Subordinate 
Lodge, as well as Secretary. 

Mr. Smith was united in marriage with Jliss 
Minnie S. Floten, an adopted daughter of Attor- 
ney Henry Slater, of Muskegon. The pleasant 
home of our subject and his estimable wife has 
been brightened by the birth of three children, 
two daughters and a son. Edna, Euna and Norval. 
Next to these promising children Mr. Smith is 
proudest of his Latin-Scientific diploma, his certifi- 
cate of admission to the .State Bar and his commis- 
sion as Postmaster, which mark the upward prog- 
ress of a self-reliant man. Oursubjtct is handy with 



158 



rORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



the pen and captured tlie "Blodget Special" first 
prize, in 1891 over sixty-five papers for the best 
article on the West Michigan Fair. He has un- 
bounded faith in the quick development of Mich- 
igan manufactures and agriculture, but he has a 
particularly strong belief in Muskegon County, 
which, with her rich resources and splendid lake- 
board, be thinks will soon be leading in the van, 
and in which he has found steadfast friends, with- 
out whom he thinks no man can accomplish his 
purposes. 



? I \ I - 



y BARREN T. MARTIN has been identified 
with the best interests of Muskegon Town- 
ship for many years, and occupies a pleas- 
ant homestead on section 28. He was born in 
Ciiyuga County, N. Y., three miles from the vil- 
lage of Jordan, December 2, 1821. His parents 
were natives resi)ectively of France and the State 
of New Jersey, and the father died when W. T. 
was a cliild of two years, leaving a family of three 
children, of whom he was the second. His child- 
hood years were passed in New York, and his 
scliooling was principally obtained there. In his 
youth he was employed on a. farm, also engaged 
in llie sawmill business for many years, and worked 
on the Oswego River. 

September 22, 1846, occurred the marriage of 
AV. T. Martin to Miss Hannah Breed, who was born 
in the town of Clay, Onondaga County, N. Y., 
Fcljruar^' 17, 182.3. Her fatiier, James Breed, was 
b(un in Manlius, N. Y., and was reared in bis na- 
tive place, becoming a farmer. Her grandfather 
was one of three brothers who came to this coun- 
try in the "Mayflower." The mother of Mrs. 
Martin bore the maiden name of Elizabeth Kinney, 
and was born in Manlius, N. Y., where she was 
reared to womanhood. In 1817 she became the 
wife of James Breed, and with him commenced 
housekeeping in Clay Township, Onondaga Coun- 
ty. Not long afterward they removed to Hanni- 
bal, Oswego County, where Mr. Breed died at the 



advanced age of ninety years. His wife had passed 
awa}' at the age of forty-eight. Tlic}' were the 
parents of fifteen children, nine of whom grew to 
manhood and womaniiood, and eight of whom are 
now living. Mrs. Martin was the fifth child and 
third daughter in respect to age. At the age of 
thirteen she accompanied her parents to Hannibal 
Township, Oswego County, N. Y., where she was 
married. 

Immediately after his marriage Mr. IMartin lo- 
cated three miles from the city of Osborn, where 
for some time he engaged in the milling business. 
In 1854 he came to Michigan and at once located 
in Muskegon, where he secured employment in 
a mill. In 1862 he enlisted in the Union army, 
becoming a private in the Twenty-sixth Michigan 
Infantry, and serving until the close of the war. 
He participated in a number of engagements and 
was sunstruck while under march. He was in 
Washington, D. C, at the time of the assassination 
of President Lincoln, and was discharged at that 
city. 

Returning from active warfare, Mr. Martin lo- 
cated on his farm in Muskegon Township and re- 
sumed the peaceful pursuit of tilling the soil. He 
is the owner of a farm of seventeen acres, upon 
which are two houses; he also owns five residences 
at Muskegon Heights. Success has crowned his 
efforts and he is numbered among the most pros- 
perous of Muskegon's farmers. In his political 
afliliations he was formerl}' a Democrat, but is 
now an adherent of the principles of the Repub- 
lican party. He has held a number of offices in 
the town of Norton, Muskegon County, and has 
served as Justice of the Peace, Township Treas- 
urer, Koad Commissioner and School Director. 
Socially, he is identified with the Grand Army of 
the Republic at Muskegon. 

Mr. and Mrs. I\Lartin have been the parents of 
four children, three of whom, Josephine E., Eugene 
F. and Alson J., are deceased. Their only surviving 
child is Mary J., who married Joseph Donoghue, 
and is the mother of one child, R.ay Martin, now 
(1893) four years of age. In the social circles of 
this community both Mr. Martin and his excellent 
wife occupy high places and have the friendship of 
all their associates. For fifty-five years Mrs. Mar- 




%awt#' 



^n^tyOO 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



161 



till has been a faithful member of the Baptist 
Church and is a chailer iiiemljcr nf the Baptist 
Ciiurch at Muskegon, being one of tlie only two 
survivors among the organizers of the church. 
Mr. Martin is also identilierl with this denoniina- 
lion and contributes liberally of liis time and 
means to its support. 




IIARLES E. WYMAX. The philosophy of 
' success in life is an interesting study and 
affords a lesson from which man^- can profit. 
In choosing a pursuit in life, taste, mental gifts 
and opportunity should be considered, as any 
young man who has a disposition to become a 
respect ible and useful citizen desires to succeed 
therein. In his chosen occupation as a lumber 
manufacturer, Mr. Wynian lias reached the top 
round of the ladder of success, and is to-day 
classed among the substantial and re|)resentalive 
business men of Grand Haven. The people of 
Ottawa County are familiar with his name, for he 
has resided among them for many 3'cars and has 
earnestly identified himself with every worthy en- 
terprise whicli has for its object tlie upbuilding of 
the city. 

Like many of the foremost business men of 
Grand Haven, ^Ir. Wyman is a native of the Em- 
pire .State, having been born in Ivssex County in 
the town of Schroon, February 10, 1«26. lie is a 
son of John and Abigail (I'otter) AVynian, llie 
former a native of Essex County, N. Y., born in 
1806, and the latter of Pawlet, Vt. Mrs. Wyman 's 
father, Thomas Poller, was of English descent, his 
father having been born in New London, England 
Charles E. Wyman is the youngest of eleven chil- 
dren, six sons and five daughters, five of whom 
survive at the present time. He received his early 
educational training in the district school and 
later entered a seminary at Chester, N. Y. 

After leaving the schoolroom Mr. Wyman be- 
came interested in the manufacture of iron in 
Elizabeth town, Essex County, but at the end of 



two years he sold out. Later he engaged for a 
short time as engineer on a lake steamboat. In se- 
lecting his companion in life he chose Miss Harriet 
Reynolds, a resident of Northlield, Ohio, and a 
daughter of C3'rus Reynolds. After his marriage 
he followed agricultural pursuits for live years 
in Summit County, Ohio. From there he came to 
Michigan, and, settling in lUendon Township, 
Ottawa Count}', built a sawmill. This he con- 
ducted successfully for four years, when the mill 
was burned. He then began operating a mill at 
Georgetown and made consideralile money in the 
enterprise, but two years later disposed of the 
business and returned to the riiicke3e State. 

In 1865 Mr. Wyman returned to Grand Haven 
and operated a mill at the mouth of Grand River 
for four years, when it was destroyed by fire. He 
then erected a new mill a mile u|) the river and en- 
gaged in the manufacture of lumber in company 
with II. W. IJuswell, under the firm name of Wy- 
man (l- liuswell, the connection continuing for ten 
years, when Mr. Wyman sold his interest to his 
partner. Following that, ho, with others, bought 
a large tract of pine timber-land in Mecosta 
County, under the title of the Chippewa Lumber 
Company', and they were soon doing an extensive 
business. Later he bought a farm comprising five 
hundred and twenty' acres in Ottawa County and 
has been engaged in farming enter|)rises ever since. 
A wide-awake, thorough-going business man, he 
has amassed a fortune. He is one of the Direc- 
tors of the Grand Haven National Bank and is in- 
terested in many enterprises of a ])ayiiig charac- 
ter. To his marriage were born four children, as 
follows: Harvey P., Charles R., George R. and 
William P.. all of whom are active business men. 



_J 



\I(— ^ ZRA E. TVI.i;iv, an enterprising and suc- 
11^ cessful dealer in real estate in Muskegon, 
•t^-^ Mich., is authorit\' on the values of inside 
and outside propert}'. In 1883, he purchased thirty- 
three acres in the suburbs, which in 1 88',) he platted 



162 



POKTRAJT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD, 



out into town lots, now known as Tyler's Addition, 
and wl;icli he has made one of the most desirable 
portions of the cit3'. Our subject has been num- 
bered among the enterprising citizens of the West 
for man^' j'ears, but is a native of New England, 
and was born in Vermont March 11, 1848. The 
remote ancestors of the Tyler family were of Eng- 
lish nativity, butearl^y in the history of the United 
States a forefather settling among the rugged hills 
of New England founded the branch of the familj' 
to which Ezra E. belongs. The paternal grand- 
parents making their home among the Green 
Mountains of Vermont there reared their fam- 
ily' to thrifty industry' and usefulness. Lahan 
Tyler, the father of our subject, born, reared and 
educated in Vermont, married in his native State, 
and was numbered among the energetic and sub- 
stantial citizens of his home locality. The mother, 
Elizabeth (Marden) Tyler, was likewise the de- 
scendant of honored ancestors, old-time residents 
of Vermont, of which State she was herself a na- 
tive. 

The parents not very long after their marriage 
removed to Stoneliam, Mass., where the devoted 
mother died in 1876. The father yet surviving, 
makes his home at Lynn, Mass. ^Ir. Tyler was 
only one ^-ear old when his father and mother re- 
moved to the old Bay Slate, and theve spending the 
days of boyhood he attended the excellent schools 
of Stoneliam, but before the breaking out of the 
Civil War emigrated to the West. In 1863 he en- 
listed in Company' II, Third Michigan Cavalry, and 
was assigned to the division under Sheridan. Our 
subject actively participated ir. numerous decisive 
battles and skirmishes, taking part in the fights of 
Corinth, Island No. 10 and Shiloh. After nearly 
three years of faithful service, he was mustered 
out at San Antonio, Tex., and was honorably dis- 
charged JIarch 20, 1866, at .lackson, IMIch. Af- 
ter the close of the war, Mr. Tyler returned to Van 
Buren County. Mich., and after sonic length of 
time, employed in traveling through the farther 
West, in 1886 made his permanent home in Mich- 
igan, and bouglit a farm near .Mona Lake, Muske- 
gon County, and with energy enteicd into the 
pursuit of general agriculture and fruit culture. 
In 1844, settling in Muskegon, our subject pur- 



chased the bioad acres which now form Tj'ler's 
Addition, a charming suburb of ^Muskegon. 

Mr. Tyler is politically a Republican, and is in- 
terested in both local and national issues, being 
intelligently posted in the progressive move- 
ments of the day. He is fraternall}- a member of 
Lodge No. 92, I. O. O. E., and likewise belongs 
to Phil Kearney Post No. 7, G. A. R. Ezra E. 
Tyler and Miss Evaline Piper were united in mar- 
riage November 18, 1868. The estimable wife of 
our subject, in girlhood a resident of Kalamazoo, 
later making her home in Muskegon, is the daugh- 
ter of Alexander Piper, a pioneer settler of the 
State, widely known and highly respected. One 
child, a daughter. Birdie, has blessed the pleasant 
home. The attractive family residence, located 
on South Terrace Street, Tyler's Addition, is of 
modern design, handsomely flnished, and sur- 
rounded by a fine class of buildings, evidencing 
the rapid march of improvements in this quarter 
of the cit}-. 



-^-^=m>^r~<B 



"jy| AMES J. GEE, a prominent native of Mich- 
igan and an cnter|)iising and prosperous 
businessman of Whiteliall, Muskegon Coun- 
tj', was born in the township of Albion, 
not far from the village of Homer, in Calhoun 
County, December 19, 1851. Our subject is the 
only living son of William N. and Lucinda 
(Turner) Gee, pioneer settlers of the Wolverine 
State. The father, born in Virgil, Cortland 
County, N. Y., August 26, 1827, was one of the 
two sons of Jacob B. Gee, also a native of Virgil, 
and born in 1807. The paternal great-grand- 
father, John S. Gee, was the son of Maj. John Gee, 
an Englishman liy birth, but a brave st)ldier of the 
War for Independence. He held a Major's commis- 
sion and served with distinction during the entire 
period of the struggle. The Major carried an old 
bull's-eye watch, since handed down from genera- 
tion tc) generation until it came into tlie possession 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPinCAL RECORD. 



163 



of AVilliani N., while he was yet a boy. Not 
realizing the historical value of the nieineiito, 
the father traded the watch off for a cheap shot- 
gun, but now would give half of his property 
if he could recover the old relic of Revolutionary 
days. A brother of the father, A'olnev (lee, 
served bravely during the t'ivil War and was 
among the first to answer his country's call. When 
an attempt was made to cross the Potomac Bridge 
at Fredericksburgii in tlie face of a murderous 
fire from the other side, and the commanding 
ofliccr called for volunteers to make the dash, he, 
«ith others, in the face of almost certain death, 
undertook the hopeless task. Nearly all of the 
courageous Federals fell before tlio deadly fire of 
the rebel troops. 

Yolney (iee was thrice wounded in the right 
arm and when told that it must be amputated to 
save his life, replied that he had r.itlii'r be sent 
home dead than lose his arm. Kvery effort possi- 
ble was made to jireserve his life, but the heroic 
young soldier expired in the hospital in Washing- 
ton. Ill' was Sergeant of liisconipany, and records 
show him one of the bravest soldiers of the war, 
gallant in action, resolute and fearless. Physi- 
cally, he was a magnificent specimen of manhood, 
six feet in height, as straight as an arrow, and 
was in deed a soldier born. John S. Gee, the 
great-grandfatlier of our subject, was a small 
farmer and hotel-keeper of N'irgU, N. Y., and his 
hotel was a rendezvous for the soldiers of the 
War of If* 12. At his di-alli this |)r()perty was in- 
herited by .lacob 1!., who was his only son. .Jacob 
sold the old home and removed to Steuben 
County, N. Y. lie was a tiller (>( the soil, and in 
183.3 he journeyed to Michigan on a prospecting 
tour, and in the pioneer da^s of 18.'i,j brought his 
family to the then far West and settled in Calhoun 
County, Mich, lie took u)) a small piece of land 
from the Covernment and bought other real-estate 
near Albion. William N., the only living son, was 
then a lad of eight years. The paternal grandfa- 
ther married at nineteen years of age Miss Libby 
liallou, who was born in Herkimer Countj', N. Y. 
She was the daughter of a Frenehnmn, and a niece 
of a celebrated sea-captain. The noted Methodist 
preacher, Ballou, was one of this same family-, as 



was also the mother of the late President Garfield. 
Five of the ten children of the paternal grandfa- 
ther are decea.sed, and their mother long since 
passed away. 

Our subject's father, William N., the eldest, was 
the possessor of more than ordinary ability' but had 
little opi)ortunit.y to gain an education, as he was 
earl^' obliged to assist his father in the support of 
the brothers and sisters who clustered about the 
family hearth. When only twenty j'ears of age 
he was united in marriage with Miss Lucinda 
Turner, the daughter of Elijah Turner, a farmer 
and the son of a once wealthy distiller whom the 
revenue laws ruined. The distiller, known as 
Judge Turner, was a prominent politician of his 
day and a man widely known and respected. It 
was in 1853 that Jacob li. Gee removed to Muske- 
gon County and made his home not far from 
Whileliall, and there upon the old homestead he 
is yet living. The (!ee family in the West repre- 
sent four generations: Jacob R., the only son 
of John J.; William N., the oiil}' living son of Jacob 
R.; James J., the only living son of William N., 
and thechildren of James J.: Carl, Merle and Lynn. 
William N. and his family came to JIuskegon 
Count3' in 1865. lie has ))een a successful general 
agriculturist and fruit-grower and has accumulated 
a comfortable competence. lie has been a member 
of the Mtithodist Kpiscopal Church since 18.J7,and 
is and has been a life-long temperance man, 
being identified with the Prohibitit)n i)arty. He 
has never accepted a political ollicc. liuL has been 
a Trustee and for many years a Class-leader in the 
Methodist Kpiscojial Church. 

In the parentid father were live children, one 
dying in infancy. Kmma, the eldest living, was 
for fifteen years a successful teacher in the pub- 
lic schools. She is an active worker in the 
Woman's Christian Temperance Union, and is a 
clear and forcible writer, strong in argument, 
and choice in diction. A maiden lady, she makes 
her home with her parents. Clara married G. A. 
Sumner, formerly a merchant, but now cultivating 
one of the fine fruit farms of J.J. Gee; Cora Rird, 
the youngest girl, was a graduate of Whitehall 
High School and died in early womanhood. James 
J., our subject, attained to adult age upon his fath- 



164 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



er's farm. He was fourteen years old when, in 1865, 
his parents came to Muskeoon County. He 
completed his education in the Whitehall High 
School and afterward taught for one year. Later 
he entered the hardware store of P. Morse <fe Son, 
of Whitehall, but, the firm failino at the end of 
two years' service, he purchased the stock from the 
creditors entirely on time and against the advice 
of his friends, who warned him that by so doing 
he would only make a second failure of the 
business. Confident of his own ability and deter- 
mined to succeed, Mr. Gee went ahead with 
courage and from the first steadily made his 
upward wa}^ the business increasing constantly, 
until now he controls one of the largest hardware 
and furniture trades in this part of Michigan. 
Beginning for himself about fifteen years ago 
with about $1,000 capital, our subject has ac- 
cumulated a handsome property and aside from 
his business interests in Whitehall is extensively 
engaged in fruit-growing, owning one of the 
finest young fruit farms in Muskegon County and 
another equally as valuable in Oceana County. 
Mr. Gee is an enthusiast in horticulture, giving it 
much careful study and attention, and receives 
both pleasure and profit from the possession 
of these valuable pieces of real estate. He firmly 
believes that Michigan has the finest fruit soil and 
climate of any State east of the Rockies. Upon 
his Muskegon and Oceana County farms he has 
five thousand live hundred trees, the choicest var- 
ieties of peaches, apples, quinces, iilunis and pears 
grown in this latitude. 

Combining business and recreation, our subject 
now spends much of his time in his orchards, and 
for the past few years has allowed himself more 
opportunity for rest and relaxation from the 
daily cares of life. By untiring industry and 
.shrewd business management attaining the pinnacle 
of success, lie can now afford to let others do the 
work, while he yet continues the watchful over- 
sight necessary' to tlie prosperity of ills extensive 
business interests. Mr. (ice has not desired to 
hold local office, never feeling he could spare the 
time from his own private business, which so long 
demanded his unceasing care. Our subject is, 
however, a public-spirited man, and with efficiency 



served one term as Supervisor of the township 
and for two terms abl^' discharged the duties of 
Treasurer of the township. 

In August of the year 1880, Mr. Gee and Miss 
Ida Widoe, of W^hitehall, were united in mar- 
riage. Mrs. Gee is a daughter of the late John 
AVidoe, a prominent clothing merchant of White- 
hall. He was born in Pennsylvania, and was 
the worthy descendant of a long line of brave and 
honored ancestry. The attractive home of Mr. 
and Mrs. Gee has been blessed by the birth of 
three sons: Carl, aged twelve years; Merle, ten 
years old; and Lynn, aged eight 3'ears. Our subject 
and his estimable wife are both valued members of 
the Methodist Episcopal Church and are active in 
benevolent enterprises. Fratern.ally, Mr. Gee is 
connected with the Ancient Free & Accepted 
Masons, and in his social, business and church 
relations commands the esteem and high regard of 
the entire communit}' of old friends and ac- 
quaintances. 




ROF. JOSEPH H. SHEFFIELD, the effi- 
Ji cicnt and cultured Principal of the Mus- 
kegon High School, is a native of New 
England, and was born June 21, IHfil, in 
the city of Worcester, AVorcester Count}', Jlass. 
The Shellields are of English ancestry and early 
became permanent settlers in Rhode Island and 
New York. Charles P. Sheffield, the father of Jo- 
seph II., was born in Franklin County, X. Y. The 
mother of our subject, Lucy (Keach) Sheffield, was 
the daughter of Joseph II. Keach, a prominent citi- 
zen of Connecticut, who long resided in Windham 
County, the birthplace of his children. Remaining 
in AVorcester throughout the years of boyhood, 
Prof. Sheffield prepared for college in the Worces- 
ter High School, from which, after a full course, he 
graduated with honor in 1879. In the fall of the 
same year he entered Harvard rnivcrsity and, 
taking the classical course, at the expiration of 
four years graduated with the Class of '83, receiv- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



165 



ing the degree of A. B. Prof. Slieflielrl w.-n also 
the recipient of especial honors in Latin and 
Greek, and during his collegiate course made an 
enviable record in every branch of study whieli 
he pursued. Having enjoyed the benefit of ex- 
tended instruction, he decided to engage in the 
vocation of a teacher, and in the fall of 1883 took 
charge of Old Lyme Academy, located in the town 
of Old Lyme, Conn., situated on the Connecticut 
River. 

Prof. .SlieHield for a twelvemontli retained tlic 
Principalship of the academ}', but in the full of 
1884 journeyed to tlic West and became Principal 
of the High School of ilanistee, Jlich., and suc- 
cessfull}' held the responsible position until 1889, 
when he accei)ted the charge of the Muskegon 
High .School and was immediately installed as 
Principal. With an average attendance of two 
hundred students, the Sluskegon Higli School 
justly boasts of its high grade of scholarship, its 
pupils entering since 1890 the State University at 
Ann Arbor with a high record, of which Prof. 
Sheffield ma^' well be proud. The thorough course 
comprises four years of Latin, two of Greek, two 
of German, and two of French, and throughout the 
entire four years the higher branches of English 
are pursued, trigonometry being the highest math- 
ematics taught. Prof. Sheffield has seven capa- 
ble assistants, each excelling in his own depart- 
ment. The graduates of the Muskegon High 
School now entering the University of Ann Arbor 
as freshmen have enjoyed a most thorough prep- 
aration for college, and many of them will un- 
doubtedly take high rank in the univei-sity classes. 
The new High School building recently erected is 
a handsome edilice, built of terra cotta and biick 
and vesting upon a tine stone foundation. It con- 
tains extensive laboratories used in the study of 
chemistry, natuial philosophy, physiology, biol- 
ogy and physical geography. This magnificent 
edifice cost about *(;o,()00. 

While in college. Prof. Shellicld was a member 
of the Phi Beta Kappa and much enjoys the re- 
unions of the fraternity. On the 1 Itli of .July, I88G, 
our subject and Miss W. A. Hucliner, of .Saginaw, 
Mich., and daughter of Isaac Buchner, were united 
in marriage. .Mr. Sheflleld and his .'iccomplished 



wife are the jiarentsof two daughters and one son: 
Pyrrha B., Ida K. and Charles V. Mrs. Sheffield 
is a valued member of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church, and, socially, occupies a prominent |)osi- 
tion. Achieving excellent results as an instructor, 
and devoted to the duties of his profession. Prof. 
.Sheffield also takes an active interest in tiie move- 
ments of the day and is a liberal-spirited citizen, 
progressive and enterprising. 



C^ 



'I^ETEH II. WINTER.AHTE, proprietor of the 
[ )|l; leading livery, board and sales stable at 
■^ Muskegon, w.as born in Orange County, N. 
I \ J., on the 30th of November, 1834. He 
traces his ancestry to Germany, whence in an early 
day his paternal grandfather, John Wintermute, 
emigrated to America, making settlement in New 
Jersej'. There, in 1810, Septer Wintermute, the fa- 
ther of our subject, was born, and in Orleans Coun- 
ty, that State, in 1813, Emeline Bartholf, mother 
of our subject, opened her eyes upon the scenes of 
earth. The former followed the business of a 
hotel-keeiier in various places, and also conducted 
a liver^' stable. 

The second son in a family consisting of three 
sons and two daughters, Peter II. Winterm\ite 
passed the first four years of his life in his native 
place, whence he was taken by his parents to Illi- 
nois. Tliere for two years he resided in Bernadotte, 
removing from there to IVkin, the same .Slate. 
After spending four years there, the family went 
to Wisconsin and settled in Whitewater, where 
the parents remained until their death. Peter H. 
remained in that city until 1870 wlien he removed 
to Milwaukee, Wis., and there continued the liv- 
ery business, which he had carried vn in Wliite- 
watcr for two years prior to his removal. 

In the spring of 1875 Mr. Wintermute came to 
JIuskegon, Mich., bringing with him the equip- 
ments of his livery stable, and purchasing pro|)- 
erty in the business centre of the city. In 1881 



166 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



lie erected for the more extensive prosecution of 
his business a brick buihling. 70x150 feet in di- 
mensions, and two stories in height. Here he con- 
ducts a large and profllable business, both with 
the people of :Muskegon and the surrounding 
countrj-. In his stable may be found a large num- 
ber of valuable horses belonging to himself, as 
well as many owned by residents of the city. He 
also carries a full line of hacks, carriages, coupes 
and phwtons, which he rents at reasonable rates. 
In 1872 Mr. Wintermute was united in mar- 
riage with Miss Reta, daughter of Joel Clapp, of 
Whitewater, "Wis., and one child has been born to 
bless this union, a daughter, Lucy C. Having 
made a careful study of the political issues of the 
age, Mr. Wintermute has cast his influence on tiie 
side of the Democratic party, which he invariably 
supports. In his fraternal relations he is identi- 
fied with the Masonic fraternity and llie Knights 
Templar, being prominently connected with these 
social organizations. He is a stockholder and Di- 
rector in the Muskegon Savings Bank, and is also 
prominently connected with other leading enter- 
prises of the city and county. His attention, how- 
ever, is devoted principally to the details of his 
extensive business, and it is through his excellent 
judgment, tact and discrimination tiiat he has been 
enabled to succeed where others might have failed. 



<^ 



I^J=»»»C^FS= 



«^ 




than 



ROF. GERHIT J. KOLLEN. Among the 
)j) well-known educators of the State of 
Michigan, there is not one who has at- 
tained a higher degree of prominence 
Prof, (^errit J. KoUen, who is the most effi- 
cient, trustworthy and capable President of Hope 
College, at Holland, Mich. He is a product of 
Holland, >\lierc he was born on the Dtli of August, 
1843, being named in honor of his wortiiy father, 
whose life was devoted to tilling the soil in his 
native land. 

When the subject of this sketch was about two 
years of age he was left fatherless, he being tiie 



youngest of five children born to his parents. As 
a youth he possessed an original and active mind, 
and being of a rather adventurous disi)osition and 
an inquiring mind, he looked below the mere 
surface of things and was considered a promising 
lad. In 1851, he, in compan}' with his widowed 
mother, who is still living at the advanced age of 
ninety years, in full possession of physical and 
mental vigor, crossed the broad Atlantic to the 
United States, and with her settled ih Allegan 
County, Midi., where his earlj* schooling was ob- 
tained. In 1862, he entered the preparatory de- 
partment of Hope College, at Holland, in which he 
took the full classical course, graduating in the year 
1868. Very sliorlly after leaving school he en- 
gaged in teaching, and during the three years that 
he taught in the district schools of the county he 
made an enviable record for himself as an educator, 
and gained much practical knowledge of the re- 
quirement* and duties of a successful instructor. 
At the end of that time he was elected Assistant- 
Professor of Mathoinatics in his Alma JLiter, and 
in 1878 was made Professor of Pure and Applied 
Mathematics, which position he held until 1885, 
when he became Professor of Applied Mathematics 
and Political Economy, and also had charge of 
the Chair of Logic. The duties of these positions 
he filled so ably, so cheerfully and to such purpose 
that in 1893 he w.as elected President of the col- 
lege, a position iiis fine and cultured mind and his 
past experience as a disci|>linarian eminently fit 
him for. Although the friend of all his pupils 
and their sj'inpathetic adviser, he commands their 
utmost respect, and accordingly- system and order 
are among the rules of his institution. He has 
l)roven himself to be the right man in the right 
place, and that the college is a popular one is at- 
tested by the fact that it is largely patronized. 

Prof. KoUen was married in 1879, Miss jMary 
W. Van Raalte becoming his wife. She was a 
daughter of Rev. Dr. A. C. Van Raalte, the 
founder of Hope College and of the city in which 
it is located, and a sketch of whom will appear 
in another part of this volume. Prof. Kollen is a 
strong Protectionist and has taught that theory in 
his classes of political economy for many years. 
He is therefore in sympathy with the Republican 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



ic; 



party in his political views, and whenever occa- 
sion requires supports the men and measures of 
that party both by precept and example. The col- 
lege at the head of which he stands was estab- 
lished by the Reformed Church of America, of 
which Prof. Kollen is a member, and in whicli he 
is one of the Klders. Me has frequently' been a 
delegate to the several synods ami attended the 
last meeting of tiiat body at Asbury Park, N. J. 
He takes an active interest in everything that per- 
tains to the growth and development of the city 
of Holland, is an active member of the City 
Improvement Association, and is one of the Di- 
rectors of the First .State Bank of the place, in 
mannei-s the Professor is genial, cordial and gen- 
tlemanly, and is an e.isy, fluent and interesting 
conversationalist. He has a pleasant smile and a 
kind word for everyone, and is highly respected, 
not only by the faculty of the college, but by the 
citizens of Holland generally*. 



*-^^l 



JOHN GILLHK.SPY, a prosperous general 
agriculturist, a member of the Township 
Board of Kcpiaiization and one of the oldest 
,;j_5^ living English settlers of Chester Township, 
Ottawa County, Mich., was born in Westmoreland, 
England, November 18, 1828. He w.-is the fifth 
ol* the eight cliiidi-cn born unto the union of 
Thomas and Mary (Cass) (Jilihespy, natives of 
England and descendants of a long line of 
British ancestry. I'lic fallier was steward for a 
Mr. "Wilson, and held the position until his death. 
A part of the Cass family earl^- made their home 
in America, some of them settling here before 
the War for Imlependence. The maternal grand- 
father of our subject, John Cass, removed to 
Canada, where he died, but two of his brothers 
had preceded him to America long before his 
arrival in Canada. The father of Mr. (iillhespy 
died when our subject was but ten years of 
age. Of the children in the parental family, 
Thomas, deceased, was the eldest; Ann, deceased. 



was the wife of John Boynlon; Mary is tin- «iil.iw 
of Joseph Fitchett; Thomas (second) is deceased; 
John is our subject; James was killed in 1862, at 
the battle of Murfroesboro; Barbara is the widow 
of John Boozer, who was killed at the battle of 
Bentonville, N. C; and Thomas (third) is a citizen 
of this township. After the death of her husband, 
the mother, in 1845, emigrated to Canada, and in 
1850, removing to the States, located on the 
same section of land where our subject now re- 
sides, and where she improved a farm. She died 
on the place in 1857. 

John Gillhesp3-, a little lad when his father 
died, attended school until eleven years of age, 
when he went on a farm in England and worked 
for three and a-lialf years. His emplo^'cr, Mr. 
Manzer, paid him about *35 per year. When 
nearly fifteen years of ageoursubject accompanied 
his mother and family to Canada, and there 
assisted in the care of the home farm for two and 
a-half years. I'pon the l!)th of March, 1818, 
]Mr. Gillhespy came to Michigan, but soon after 
journeyed to northern Wisconsin, where he en- 
gaged in lumbering, running rafts and doing 
similar work for one and a-half years. In the fall 
of 184!), again arriving in ;\Iii-higan, our subject 
lumbered on Mill Creek for a while, and in the 
spring of 1850 ran logs from Port Huron to 
Detroit. He then went to Canada for his mother 
and family, and after returning with them for 
tlic succeeding three years was employed in lum- 
beiing. He also jobbed for some time for ]\Ir. 
Cole, and (hiring the winter and summei was 
engaged in taking the minutes of pine land for 
various linns. In 1855, resigning from the timber 
l)usiness, ]\Ir. Gillhespy removed to his present 
farm, which then consisted of eighty acres of wild 
land, to which he has since added forty acres. A 
log house, hewn smooth in the inside, was his lirst 
improvement, and in this primitive building he 
resided for some time after his marriage. 

August 15, 1855, were united in mirriage John 
tiillliespy and Miss Lovina Field, a native of St. 
Eawrence County, N. Y., and daughter of Edward 
and Eliza (Fuller) Field, who emigrated from the 
East to Micrhigan in 1850, and settled in Ottawa 
County. Mr. Field and his family were numbered 



168 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



among the prominent settlers, and both the father 
and motlier of Mrs. Gillhesin- passed awa3' in tliis 
county, deeply mourned bj' all who knew them. 
Mrs. Field died in 1854, but Mr. Field survived 
until 1890, reaching the advanced age of eightj'- 
three. He and his excellent wife were the parents 
of five children. Lovina was the eldest; Harriet, 
deceased, was the wife of H. Ililliard; Jolin II., 
deceased, died in the arm}- during the late war; the 
fourth child died in infancy; and Albert is also de- 
ceased, hi 1851* our subject and a ISIr. Patterson 
erected on the farm a sawmill, which had water 
power and carried an upright saw. Tliis mill 
Mr. Gillhesp3' conducted until 1887. In 1875 he 
built his present attractive and commodious resi- 
dence. 

Mr. and Mrs. Gillhespj- began life on the farm 
with but very little capital save their hope, cour- 
age and stout wills, and could sum up their 
possessions in the land, a log house and yoke of 
oxen. At first the wife assisted her husband in 
the out-door work, and aided him in clearing 
until the countrj- became more thickly settled and 
they could afford to hire hands. Of their home 
farm of one hundred and twenty acres, one 
hundred and five are in a high state of cultiva- 
tion, and, aside from this property-, Mr. Gillhespj' 
has one hundred and forty acres of land in 
Chester Township, eighty of wliich are under 
profitable cultivation. Eleven children have with 
their bright presence blessed the home. The 
sons and daugiiters are: Ann, wife of William 
Pierce; Franklin; Pollen, wife of Thomas MorIe\-; 
Eleanor, wife of Adam River; Etlilenia, the wife 
of Jacob Host; Jolin; .lames; Amelia, wife of 
Edward Kelly; Loviim. wife of George Joblon- 
ski; William and George. Ellen and Eleanor are 
twins. Our subject and his good wife are mem- 
bers of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and are 
prominent in the social and benevolent work of 
the denomination. They are also both worthy 
members of the Patrons of Industry. Frater- 
nally, Mr. Gillhespy is associated with Ravenna 
Lodge No. 355, 1. O. O. F.; he has filled all the 
chairs of the order, and is now Representative of 
the lodge to the Grand Lodge at Lansing. Jlrs. 
Gillhespj' is a Kel)ecca degree member. Aside 



from his present public work as a member of the 
; Board of P^qualization, our subject has efliciently 
discharged the duties of Highway Commissioner, 
and fully commands the high regard of all his 
fellow-townsmen. 



c^ 



$+^i 



17 ORENZO PILLEN, of section 23, 
il (^ Township, Muskegon Countj', is one 
'JL^ large land-owners of this locality. 



ORENZO PILLEN, of section 23, Dalton 

e of the 
A na- 
tive of Canada, his birth occurred at Kingston in 
1830. His father, George Pillon, a native of Lan- 
cashire, was of humble parentage, and early in 
life, being obliged to make his living, learned the 
weaver's trade. He was only eighteen years old 
when he went into the British army, enlisting in 
the service for life, lie was a faithful soldier for 
more than eleven years and took part in the great 
wars with France and Napoleon. He was never 
wounded or taken prisoner, but at length became 
dissatisfied with armj- life and after paying ^80 
managed to secure his discharge papers. After 
this had been effected he removed to Kingston, 
Canada, where for several jears he was a servant. 
He was there married to Miss Elizabeth, daughter 
of Simon and Mavv (Walker) Hough, and who was 
born in Canada. Simon Hough was a refugee at 
the time of the Revolutionarj' War and was a Torv. 
He received eight hundred acres of Government 
land, two hundred of which fell as an inheritance 
to our subject's mother. Mr. Hough removed to 
Victoria County and brought up his familj' on a 
farm. He afterward returned to Kingston to live 
with one of his children. At the time of his death 
he was ninety-two j'ears of age, and was a member 
of the jNIethodist Episcopal Church. His wife 
passed away in her scventy-eiglith year. 

Lorenzo Pillen is the third in his father's family 
of nine children, the others in order of birth be- 
ing .lohn, Adolphus, Charles, Parker. Henry; Fi- 
notta, deceased, wife of William Tool; Hannah, 
wife of Davis McLaughlin; and .Julia Ann, wife 
of Peter Van .Mk-n. Our subject received much 





'-►♦'»<7 







PORTRAIT AND BIOT. RAPIllCAL RECORD. 



171 



of his education in the district schools and was 
early familiarized with the routine of farm work. 
For several years he turned his attention to the 
painter's trade, hut linally devoted hiinsi'lf to ag- 
riculture. In 18Gj Mr. I'illen settled at Komeo, 
Mich., where he remained only a year. It was in 
1866 that he located on his present farm, where 
his first purchase was one of one hunch'ed and 
sixtj' acres of wild land. As the years passed, he 
continually bought tracts of land, improved and 
otiierwise, until he had in his possession the deeds 
of twenty fort^'-acrc farms. In addition to gen- 
eral fanning and investments in real estate, Mr. 
Pillen h.as been extensively engaged in milling 
and the lumber business. His judgment is univer- 
sall}' correct in regard to investments, and, there- 
fore, his opinion is much sought after by his 
friends and neighbors. 

In 1853, Mr. Pillen was united in marri.ige, in 
Canada, to Miss Abigail, daughter of Benjamin 
and Susannah Williams. Five children grace their 
union: George; Susannah, wife of George Rice; 
■John; JIartha, wife of Martin Kb^'; and William 
II. The members of this family arc justly num- 
bered among the best citizens of the count}'. 

Recognizing his business ability, the neighbors 
of our subject have several times shown their 
wisdom in electing Mr. Pillen Treasurer of Dalton 
Township, and his able management of affairs has 
been alike creditable to himself and to thein. For 
three terms he has capably filled the position of 
Township Supervisor. The vote of Mr. Pillen is 
invariably for the nominees 'of the Republican 
party. 




AMI'KL MAFFKTT, the affable and ener- 
getic Treasurer of the city of Muskegon 
Heights, is a prominent real-estate man, 
and possesses extended information and 
thorough knowledge of outside and inside prop- 
erties. From his early youth a resident of the 
Wolverine State, he enjoys a wide acquaintance 
8 



' and intimate association with the leading inter- 
ests of his present locality. (Jur subject is a na- 
tive of Dutchess Count}', N. Y., and was born 
June 2.'), 1831. His paternal grandfather, Robert 
Maffett, emigrated from Ireland to America at an 
early day, and settled in the State of New York, 
where he reared his family. 

The father of our subject, Samuel Maffett, Sr., 
was born in the iCmpire Stale, where he passed his 
entire life, dying in tiie natal j-ear of our subject, 
1831. 1^3' trade a miller, he was successful in his 
business enterprises and gained a competency. 
He was a man of ability, industrious and upright, 
and was highly respected by all who knew him. At 
his demise he left to tlie care of his wife, Mary 
(Frost) ^Maffett. their son, Samuel, then an infant. 
The mother, also a native of Isew York, grew to 
womanhood amid the associations of childhood, 
and remained in that Stale until after her second 
marriage. 

During the childhood of our subject, he re- 
mained in the New York home and attended the 
excellent public schools of the neighborhood. In 
1844. when thirteen years of age, he journeyed to 
the West with his mother and step-father, and, set- 
tling in .Jackson County, Mich., enjoyed the ad- 
vantages of more extended study. Later he 
learned the trade of a millwright, which business 
he prosperously conducted for more than two- 
score years. In 1868, locating in Muskegon, he 
secured employment as a millwright, in which oc- 
cupation he .achieved a comfortable competency 
and laid the foundation for greater i)rosperity. 
For some time he has been interested in the hand- 
ling of a large variety of real-estate deals and has 
been prominently connected with the promotion of 
numerous enterprises tending to the development 
and upbuilding of Muskegon IIeii>ht.s. 

In 18.")2 were uiiilod in marriage Samuel Maffett 
and IMiss Ruth Holmes, a native of New York, and 
the daughter of .lohii Holmes, a long-time and 
highly esteemed residi'iit of the Kmpire State. 
The union of our subject and his most estimable 
wife was blessed by the birth of three children, 
two sons and one daughter. Charles and .lohn 
are both deceased; Nellie is the wife of C. H. 
Dawes, of Muskegon. Tiie pleasant family resi- 



172 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD, 



dence of Mr. and Mrs. Mattett is desirably located 
upon the corner of Maffett and Delano Streets. 
Politicall}' a Republican, Mr. Maffett has taken a 
high 'place in the local councils of the party and 
has occupied with distinction various offices of 
trust. As a member of the School Board he has 
materially aided in tlie advancement of educa- 
tional progress by encouraging the development of 
a higher grade of instruction and scholarship. In 
1892 he was elected Village Treasurer of Muskegon 
Heights, and through his faithful discharge of offi- 
cial duties has won the confidence of the entire 
community. 



■ » ■ > > M * I fc y ' 



? I ' I » > 



Wj?ILLIAM M. McKILLIP, an enterprising 
and prominent citizen and a retired lumber- 
man of Muskegon, Mich., who for two-score 
years active!}' engaged in business in the Wolver- 
ine State, has acquired a handsome competence and 
materially aided in the rapid growth of the vital 
interests of Muskegon County. The early home of 
or subject was in Washington County, N. Y., where 
he was born February 12, 1822. His parents, David 
and Mary (Mc Lean) McKillip. long-time and well- 
known residents of the Empire State, were of 
Scotcii ancestry, the families having early emi- 
grated to the United States, where the\- took a 
leading place among the honest, industrious and 
law-abiding citizens to whom the pros|)erity of our 
country is due. The fallier was born in New York, 
and received his education and youlliful training 
in iiis native State, where he married and passed 
many years of usefulness, engaged in tiie occupa- 
tion of a carpenter and builder. The maternal an- 
cestors of Mr. .McKillipcame from the Old Countrj- 
to New .lersey about a century ago, the grandfather, 
James McLean, having been born in that State. 
Our suliject passed tlie days of boyhood upon his 
father's farm and, attending the district school of 
the home neighborhood, obtained a good rudi- 
mentary education. 

Energetic and self reliant, Mr. !McKillip at the 



age of fourteen began life for himself, and, de- 
termined to make his own waj' in the world, set 
about acquiring a trade. Having learned cooper- 
ing, he decided to try his fortune in the broader 
fields of the West and, journeying to Ohio, settled 
in Summit County, working at his trade in that lo- 
cality for the succeeding two years. In 1846. at- 
tracted by the business prospects of Chicago, our 
subject made his home in the Garden City,where he 
continued for five years, meeting with ready and re- 
munerative employment. In 1851, Mr. McKillip lo- 
cated in Traverse City, Mich., and was superinten- 
dent of a lumbering company until the fall of 18G1, 
when he returned to Chicago and for four j'ears 
resided in tlie AVestern metropolis. In the spring 
of 1865, our subject went to the Upper Peninsula 
and took charge of several sawmills, continuing 
there for two years, handling the extensive lumber 
interests of John S. Reed & Co., a pioneer lumber 
firm, with headquarters at Chicago, la the earl\- 
part of 1867, locating in Muskegon, Mr. McKillip 
became superintendent of Cliapin, Marsh it Co.'s 
Mills, manufacturers of lumber, and for fifteen 
years retaining iiis responsible position gave great 
satisfaction to the firm, who thoroughly appreciated 
his business ability- and energy. From 1881 to 
1891 he was a member of the firm of McKillip & Co., 
of Manistee. Mich., engaged extensively in manu- 
facturing lumber. 

In 1853 were united in marriage William ^I. 
McKillip and Miss Emma J. Hopper, of Chicago, 
daughterof (icorge Hopper. The union was blessed 
by the birth of four children, three of whom sur- 
vive. George H., a leading citizen, is the present 
Recorder of Muskegon; iMaiy J. is the wife of C. 
O. Padly; Hattie is married to W. II. Mann, of 
Muskegon. Financially prospered, our sul)ject is a 
stockholder and Director of the Lumberman's Na- 
tional Bank of Muskegon, and is likewise a stock- 
holder and Director of the Muskegon Booming 
Company, having been prominently connected 
with the latter organization for many years. The 
home of Mr. and Mrs. JNIcKillip, one of the best in 
the city and located at No. 1 1 1 \V. Webster Street, is 
the abode of hospitality and the scene of many a re- 
union of old-time friends. Politically a stanch 
Kcpublican, our subject takes an active interest in 



PORTRAir AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



173 



both local and national issues, but lias never bnen 
in any sense of the word a ixilitician, iiis earnest 
efforts throu<(Iiout his successful career having been 
devoted to tlie demands of a large and prosperous 
business. 



+^i*^s* 



ylLl-IAM FAV, the enterprising wholesale 
paper dealer and printer of Muskegon, 
Midi., handles .lapanese napkins, station- 
ery, lead pencils, and nianila fibre and otiier wrap- 
ping papers, fine and coarse. Horn in Hampden 
County, Mass., January 80, 1821, our subject was 
the son of William II. Fa}-, Sr., a native of Massa- 
chusetts and a pioneer settler of Ohio, where he 
passed many years and died in 1882. The mo- 
ther, Mary (Looniis) Fay, was likewise born in 
Hampden County, Mass., and was the daughter of 
Uriah Loomis, who was of English ancestry, and 
who in a very early day in the history of our 
country made his home in the old Bay LState, and 
later actively engaged in the Hevolulionary War. 

Our subject was only an infant when, with his 
parents, he journeyed to Ohio, where he remained 
until 1819, receiving a good common-school edu- 
cation in the free schools of the home district. In 
1849, then about twenty-eight years of age, ftlr. 
Fay went to the South and located in Mrginia, 
where he entered into railroading, and continued 
in that employnient for several years. He later 
established a shipyard at Hiehmond, Va., and con- 
ducted the business until 1862, when he was ar- 
rested by the Confederates and imprisoned for a 
time in Richmond, and w.is later transferred to 
Salisbury, N. C, where he was kept a prisoner for 
over a year. Wuring this time he was in Salis- 
bury, from Ma\' I to September, 1862, and was im- 
prisoned with five hundred other wretched crea- 
tures, two hundred and thirty-nine of the number 
starving to death. 

From .September 1, 1862, until .January 1, 1864, 
Mr. Fa}- remained a prisoner in Hichniond, then, 



released, went into the secret service department 
of the Federal army and engaged as a scout in 
the Confederate camps. He met with many nar- 
row oscai)es, at one time having a rope placed 
around his neck, saving himself only bv strat- 
egy. He remained in tiie secret service until the 
close of the war, and when the struggle was ended 
returned again to Ricliinond. Our subject was 
with Gen. Butler as aid and guide from January- 
until June, 1861, and with Gen. Grant at Cold 
Harbor did valu.-ible service for the Union cause 
ill and about llichmoiid until October 16, 1864. 
At this latter date Mr. Fay returned to Gen. But- 
ler, who was occu[)ying the north side of the 
James River, near Cantrill's line. Our subject 
continued witii Gen. Butler until he was succeeded 
by Gen. E. O. C. Ord, and was then at the service 
of the latter until the surrender of Richmond. 
While with (irant our subject ke[it up a daily cor- 
respondence between Richmond and the Union 
lines. Mr. Fay, who performed invaluable work for 
the Government, was greatl}' assisted by his wife 
and friends in Richmond, and in the performance of 
his dangerous duties became acquainted with Sec- 
retary of War Randol|)h. While under Gen. Ord, 
our subject, possessing a thorough knowledge of the 
people, their customs and the country thereabout, 
captured a number of prisoners at various times, 
and now owns two guns and a pistol he took at 
one time from his prisoners. 

After tiie fall of Richmond Mr. Fay conducted 
Gen. Wetzel's arm}' into the city, and, riding at the 
head of tiie column, became intimately acquainted 
with all the generals who occupied the old South- 
ern cit}'. These commanders were Gens. Deut, 
Hallock, SchoHeld, Stoneman, Terry and Patrick. 
During the occupation of Richmond Mr. Fay 
saved the life of (ien. Hallock, wiio was about to 
become the victim of an assassin. After peace 
was assured our suliject was appointed Inspector 
of the post of Richmond, and held the posi- 
tion until the trial of President Andrew John- 
son. Mr. Fay remained in Richmond .until the 
year 1884, and was one of the grand jury which 
indicted Jeff Davis for treason. In the year 
1884, making his permanent luune in Mu.-kegoii, 
he entered into liis present line of business, 



174 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



■wliicb he has since prosperously conducted. Po- 
litically a stalwart Republican, our subjoct has 
been a member of the party from the first daj' of 
its formation. 

In 1852, in Richmond, Va., were united in mar- 
riage William Fay and Miss Eliza T. Hicks, a na- 
tive of the Old Dominion and daughter of Pleas- 
ant Hicks. Four living daughters and two sons, 
deceased, have blessed the home. Georgie is the 
widow of Edward T. INIerrill, of Muskegon, and is 
prominent in the Woman's Christian Temperance 
Union work; Alice is the wife of Lewis C. Scull, of 
Muskegon; Mary is at home; and Mattie is em- 
ployed as a book-keeper in Muskegon. The cheerful 
and attractive family residence, located at No. 77 
San ford Street, is the scene of many pleasant 
gatherings of friends, the home being the abode 
of hospitality. Few men did the amount of dan- 
gerous service for the preservation of the Union 
which fell to the lot of Mr. Fay, who never found 
a path too dangerous to tread, and never fal- 
tered wlien duty urged him to an effort which in- 
volved life and death. The remembrance of his 
devotion to the Federal cause is a precious legacy 
■with which he may endow his children, a bequest 
more enduring than houses or lands. 



. '■'•'g); 



^>^^<i 



Stf^ 



i— 



jf7 OREN 

ll 0) Pei"""« 
1^ kinds ( 



^|7 OREN O. BEERMAN, the leading and pros- 
s dealer in pianos, organs and all 
3 of musical instruments of Muskegon, 
Mich., is widely known as the organizer of the 
Muskegon City Band, which, containing twenty- 
two pieces, is one of the finest drilled bands on 
the eastern shore of Lake Michigan. Mr. Beer- 
man is justly proud of the ability and success of 
the Muskegon City Band, of which he has had the 
entire supervision and training and directing of 
the music. In 1890, in competition at the Band 
Tournament held at Big Rapids, the Muskegon 
Citj' Band took the first money and won the 
plaudits of an admiring audience. During the 
summer the band give open-air concerts and in 



the winter play in the Opera House. In his busi- 
ness as a dealer in musical instruments our subject 
has acquired an extended trade, carrying a full 
line of musical goods of the best manufacture and 
most popular makes. A native of Canada, and 
born in Ontario, March 6, 1851, our subject is the 
son of Stephen Beerman, likewise born in Canada, 
but now residing in ^Muskegon, Afich., having late 
in life removed from the Dominion to the United 
States. Tlie mother, Sarah (Patterson) Beerman, 
was a native of New York and the descendant of 
a well-known and highly respected family of the 
Empire State. 

Our subject spent his earlj- j'cars in Canada, 
and in the Dominion received an excellent edu- 
cation. At sixteen 3'ears of age he removed to 
the States and located in Ferrysburg, Mich., 
where he worked for ten _years in a sawmill. 
Later he leained the trade of a carriage-maker, 
and in 1877 went into tiie business on his own ac- 
count, continuing the manufacture of vehicles for 
twelve years. He then sold out the carriage busi- 
ness and engaged in handling musical instruments. 
The musical talent of Mr. Beerman undoubtedl}' 
influenced him in his choice of business, and, ex- 
celling as a band-master and director, he has made 
a wide acquaintance and enviable reputation. 
The open-air concerts and the musical programmes 
given bj' the Muskegon City Band in the Opera 
House have done much to elevate the standard 
of music in Muskegon County and the near vicinity. 

In 1873 Lorcn O. Beerman and Miss Maiy 
Burbank were united in marriage. The estimable 
wife of our subject was a long-time resident of 
Spring Lake, Mich., and is the daughter of Isaac 
Burbank, a native of Ontario. Canada. The union 
of Mr. and Mrs. Beerman has been blessed by 
the birth of one son, Fred L., now seventeen ^-ears 
old, who IS possessed of a ver}' high order of mu- 
sical abilit}' and plays the piano, the euphiiira 
and trombone. He is also an excellent performer 
on the traps and drum and takes a leading part 
in the concerts, being a pleasing soloist and a fa- 
vorite with the audiences. Our subject is fra- 
ternally a Knight of Pythias, and is a member of 
Banner Lodge, I. O. O. F., of Lake Side. Muskegon. 
He is also connected with the Knights of the Mac- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



175 



cabees, and in these various orders numlicrs many 
friends. Politically a Republican, Mr. IJcerman, 
while not an ollice-seeker, is intelligently interested 
in both local and national issues. The family 
residence, ^so. 45 Pine tSlreet, is desirably situated 
and well known to the wide circle of friends and 
acquaintances by whom our subject is esteemed as 
a neighbor and citizen of ability and sterling in- 
tegrity. Financiall3' prospered, Mr. Bcerman is 
numbered among the prominent business men of 
the city, and is ever ready to do his full share in 
all matters of public welfare. 



ellARLES F. ROSS, Secretary and Treasurer 
of the Al.iska Refrigerator Company, is a 
man distinguished for the most sterling 
qualities of mind and heart, and brings to hear ex- 
perience and the wide knowledge, both general 
and technical, which such a position demands. 
The present works were established at Michigan 
Cit}-, Ind., in 1878. at first on a small scale, but were 
greatly increased as the demand for refrigerators 
became general. The company continued in busi- 
ness in jMichigan City until 1890, when the plant 
was moved to iSIunkegon. The site here covers 
fifteen acres, with all the shipping facilities possi- 
ble at hand. The factory i)roper is a brick struc- 
ture, three hundred and forty feet long, sixty feet 
wide and three stories high. It is fitted and 
equipped with the best machinery and in the most 
approved manner, and is run bj' a Ke^nohls-Corliss 
engine of three hundred horse power. Three 
boilers, built of steel and sixteen feet long, com- 
pose the battery. The building is lighted by four 
hundred and lifly incandescent lights and is pro- 
tected fioin lire b}' eight hundred sprinklers. 

It is the aim of the company to meet tiie wants 
of all classes of people who use refrigerators, and 
therefore its line for the household embraces one 
hundred and thirty-live stoics, the jirices ranging 
from *10 to iJilOO. Then there are seven sizes for 
grocers' use, three sizes and styles of beer coolers, 



and six styles each of single and doul)le cooling 
rooms. These range in price from #1550 upwards. 
Special sizes are made to order, so that every want 
can be filled. The company uses five hundred 
thousand feet of lumber each month. A train 
over a quarter of a mile long and drawn by two 
of the largest engines on the Chicago <fe West 
Michigan Road carried the first shipment of refrig- 
erators sent out by the Ahiska Refrigerator Com- 
pan}- this year ( 18!)3). 'When the signal was given 
for the largest train that ever left this county to 
start, the shrieks that broke from the moving double 
header were responded to to the echo by the bra- 
zen throats of twenty factories, while the two thou- 
sand iniiabitants of the infant cit}' looked with 
pride at the receding train. This train, speeding 
Eastward, had for its load four thousand eight hun- 
dred refrigerators and represented the product of 
the factory for five weeks. The value of the 
consignment was #50,000. The Al.aska Refrigerator 
factory has in the last two years almost doubled 
its capacity. Mr. Moon was made president of the 
company about 1885, and fills that responsible posi- 
tion in a most satisfactory manner. The superin- 
tendent in charge, .1. 11. Ford, is well known here, 
having been for a number of years in the employ 
of the Leonard Refrigerator C(jm|)any, Grand Rap- 
ids, and since bis connection willi the big institu- 
tion he has driven it right to the front. 

Charles F. Ross, the present ellicient Secretary 
and Treasurer, entered the service of the company 
in 1882 and has been connected with tlie same 
ever since. lie was born in the cit^y of Ueloit, 
Wis., iu 1856, and is the son of L. E. and Susan 
(Brown) Ross. The school days of our subject 
were passed in Beloil, and he began his career by 
clerking in a book store in that city. Later he 
came to Jliciiigan and became book-keeper for 
the firm of Doiiville I?ros., at Manistee. In 1882 
he went to Jlichigan City, lud., and there be- 
came book-keeper and siiipping clerk for the 
Alaska Refrigerator Company, and continued with 
the company actively until 1890, when the plant 
was moved to Muskegon. He became a stock- 
holder and was made secretar3- and treasurer. Mr. 
Ross is thoroughly conversant with every depart- 
ment of the business and is widely known for his 



176 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



integrit}', ability and enterprise. In 1878 lie mar- 
ried Miss Ella J. Meade, a daughter of A. C. 
Meade, of Beloit, Wis. In politics, Mr. Ross 
is a Republican and, socially, is a Knight Templar 
in the Masonic fraternit}-, Michigan Cit}' Lodge. 



^S^ ZRA STEARNS is one of the old residents 
and early settlers of Muskegon County, 
having purchased land on section 2, Fruit- 
land Township, where he still resides, in 1867. 
Moreover, he is a veteran of the late Civil AVar, 
and as one of the brave preservers of the ITnion 
he is the more entitled to mention in the history 
of one of the States and counties which did so 
much to maintain the liberty and prosperity' now 
enjoyed. 

Our subject is a native of the Bay State, where 
lii^ birth occurred in 1836. Me is of English de- 
scent, his paternal ancestors having emigrated to 
New England from their native land. The grand- 
parents, Cyrus and Sarah (Weeks) Stearns, were 
re-idents of Goshen, Mass., for a number of years. 
The former was a blacksmith by trade and contin- 
ue. 1 at that arduous employment until he reached 
advanced years, when he retired from business and 
p.TSsed his remaining years with his cliildren. He 
had passed his ninetieth birtliday when summoned 
frfim this life, and his wife had passed from the 
slKjre of time but a few years previous to his de- 
nii.se. He was a member of the old Predeslinarian 
Baptist Church. 

The father of our subject, Alanson Stearns, was 
one of seven children, the others being as follows: 
Ezra, Electa, Almeda, Levi, Enos and Thomas. He 
was born in 180n in Goshen, Maes., and made his 
home with his parents until his marriage, which 
occurred when he reached his twenty-second year. 
In his youth he learned tlie blacksmith's trade of 
his father and followed that vocaticm together 
with farming throughout life. In 1832, he wed- 
ded Eliza Ann I)uml)leton. For a number of 



years thereafter, he rented land in Massachusetts, 
and it was not until 1854 that he removed to this 
State. He purchased land near Brooklyn, .lackson 
County, and to the clearing and cultivation of the 
property devoted himself for several years. Af- 
ter the war he became a resident of Leoni and there 
resided until his death. He and his wife were de- 
voted members of the Baptist Church, and for many 
years he held the office of Deacon in tiie same. 
In regard to politics, he was first a Whig and 
later a Republican. To himself and wife were 
born ten children, as follows: .lames; Jolin, de- 
ceased; Ezra, of whom we write; Marcia E., whose 
death occurred at about the age of fourteen years; 
Ellen M., the widow of Jairus Bewer; S. Harvey, 
deceased; Edwin, who wedded Mar3- Hinman; Car- 
rie G., widow of Dwight J. Bewer; Frederick, de- 
ceased; and P^rncst W., deceased. The mother of 
these children died in Brooklyn, and the father 
married again, taking for his second wife Mrs. 
Margaret Aylsworth, whose maiden name was 
Hinman. Two children were born of this mar- 
riage, Charles and Minnie. 

Ezra Stearns was given good educational advan- 
tages and assisted his father dutifully until he 
was twenty-five years old. At this tinje, in com- 
pany with him, he purchased eighty acres of land 
and, as previously stated, in 1867 finally located 
on the land which has been in his possession up to 
the present time. He has become a successful ag- 
riculturist and is recognized .as such by all who 
know him. Though his original purchase in this 
community was a tract of one hundred and eighty 
acres, he has since disposed of a portion, hut still 
owns one hundred and twenty acres of valuable 
land. ui)ou which he has placed many improve- 
ments. In Benawee County, Mr. Stearns was 
united in m.arri.ige with Miss Mary E. Allen, 
daughter of Alfred A. and Nancy J. (Stearns) Al- 
len. Three children have come to bless the home 
of this worthy couple: Arthur A.; Susie E., now 
the wife of II. B. Carr; and Frederique M. 

TMr. and Mrs. Stearns are active workers in the 
Baptist Church, in which they have held tnember- 
ship for a number of ye.ars. In politics, our sub- 
ject is a stanch Republican and fraternally is affil- 
iated with N. II. Ferry Post No. 3, G. A. R., of 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



177 



Whitcliall. The boys in blue have a warm place 
in his heart, for he was one of their number for 
three ^ears and one tnonlli during; tlie war. On the 
30tb of September, 1861, he enlisted as a private in 
Company II, First Regiment Michigan E. <fe M. He 
was, with liis regiment, placed in the Arm3' of the 
Cumberland and served on detached duty nearly 
all the time during his term. He was stationed in 
Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama, Mi?sissippi and 
Georgia, and i)articipated in two engagements, one 
at Perry ville and the otiicr at La Vergne, near 
Stone Kiver. As a soldier his career was always 
marked by fidelity to duty and unwavering 
courage. These qualities he has carried into the 
further battles of life, and as a citizen is patriotic 
and true to his countr}' in times of peace as well. 






/^^EORGE JKMILLAN has been for a quarter 
III g—, of a century a lea<ling agriculturist of Dal- 
^^^ ton Township, JIuskegon County, and for 
nearly that length of tiuje has lived on his farm, 
which is situated on section 30. His parents were 
Abraham and Melvina (Pangborn) McMillan. Our 
subject's paternal grandfather was of Scotch an- 
cestry, though his birth occurred in the northern 
part of Ireland. After receiving a good education 
he came to the United States alone and made 
settlement in Onondaga County, N. Y. He was 
married in this country and reared a famil3'of two 
children, Abraiiain and Arthur, tiic latter of whom 
died in early manhood of smallpox. The mother, 
whose maiden name was Catherine Smith, was the 
widow of a Mr. S|)ced at the time of her marriage 
with Mr. McMillan, and by her first union had 
two children, Nicholas and Hannah. 

Abraham McMillan, Jr., was born in Onondaga 
County, N. Y., where he passed his boyhood days. 
Quite early in life he began working in a woolen 
factory and was einpki^-ed there for many 3-ears. 
He served an apprenticeship of three years at the 
blacksmith's trade and afterward followed that 
vocation. About 1811, he married in New York 



a daughter of John and Polly Pangborn. About 
ten years later, Mr. McMillan removed with his 
family to St. Joseph County, Mich., and opened a 
blacksmith shop in the village of 15urr Oak, which 
place was the scene of his labors until he was sum- 
moned by the Death Angel in 1875. His wife 
survived him only two years. In politics he was 
a Whig and a strong Abolitionist. After the organ- 
ization of the Republican part}', he became one of 
its stanchest supporters. 

The subject of this record was born in Mar- 
cellus, Onondaga County, N. Y., in 1844. In his 
boyhood he acquired a good education in the dis- 
trict schools and learned the blacksmith's trade of 
his father. He remained under the homestead 
roof until his twentieth year, when he started out 
to make his own livelihood. For two years he en- 
gaged in blacksmithing at Burr Oak, and in 18(56 
located on Muskegon Lake, doing blacksmithing 
for lumbermen. The followingyear he abandoned 
his trade and has since almost exclusively de- 
voted himself to the care of the farm which is still 
his home and of which he then purclmsed a por- 
tion. On the place was considerable timber, both 
hardwood and pine. Mr. Mcildlan afterward be- 
came the owner of forty acres adjoining and culti- 
vates sixty acres of tlie farm. The timber was 
quite valuable and brought to the owner a con- 
siderable income for many years. In connection 
with his farm, Mr. McMillan has carried on a 
blacksmith shop to some extent. 

On the lOlli of April, 1865, occurred the mar- 
riage of our subject and MissEmeline Wilcox, who 
was born in llranch County, Mich., and is the 
daughter of Elias and Hannah (Thompson) Wil- 
cox. Four children came to gladden the home of 
our subject and wife. Etta died at the age of 
thirteen months; Nellie is the wife of Ernest R. 
Califf; Willie married Alma Lewis; and Emma re- 
sides with her parents. The children were given 
good educations and the last-named, who gradu- 
ated from the district schools, is now engaged in 
teaching. The other sister was also a successful 
teacher in this county prior to her marriage. 

For nearly fifteen years, Jlr. McMillan has 
been a School Director and is greatly interested in 
the cause of education, being an advocate of our 



178 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



admirable school s^ystem. He has faithfull}' served 
his township for six years as Supervisor, was Jus- 
tice of the I'eace eight years and for a number of 
years was Clerk of the Township. He is a Repub- 
lican in his political convictions and is in every 
sense of the word a patriotic citizen. As a man, 
he is upright, and in all his intercourse with his 
friends and neighbors is thoroughly reliable and 
honorable. In 1870, Mr. McMillan left his farm 
and went to Whitehall and worked at his trade 
for about two years, when he returned to his 
farm. 



^Ssx HAUNCEY E. KOON, M. D., a noted sur- 
(l geon of Michigan, and a prominent resi- 

^^^J dent of Casenovia, was born in Tyrone 
Ti.wnship, Steuben County, N. Y., October 1, 1843, 
and is a son of Alanson and Marilla (AVells) Koon. 
His father, a native of New York and a black- 
smith bj- trade, came to Michigan in the spring of 
1844 and settled in Hillsdale County, wheie he 
died about 1868, at the age of sixtj-tight. In 
l)olitics, he was first a Whig and afterward a Re- 
publican. In religious matters, he was a believer 
in the doctrines of the Baptist Church, with which 
he was identified. He was of Dutch descent, and 
the family name was originally Kulin. 

The mother of our subject was a daughter of 
Hinrj' Wells, a farmer, who passed his entire life 
in Steuben County, N. Y. She was the mother of 
six sons and two daughters, all of whom attained 
maturity. Chauncey E. was reared on the home 
farm, and was occupietJ in farming pursuits when 
the war broke out. His patriotic spirit was at 
once aroused on behalf of the Union, and on the 
24tli of August, 1861, he enlisted in Company B, 
Eleventh Michigan Infantry. With his regiment 
he participated in the battles of Stone River, 
Chickaniauga, Mission Ridge, Rcsaca, Kenesaw 
Mountain, Buzzard's Roost, Peach Tree Creek, 
Atlanta, and nian3' other minor skirmishes. 

Before leaving Michigan our subject was com- 
missioned Sergeant, and after the battle of Stone 



River he was promoted to be Second Lieutenant, 
and commanded his company during that engage- 
ment. In the fall of 1863 he was commissioned 
First Lieutenant, and in the spring of 1864 be- 
came Captain. In the fall of 1864 he was honor- 
abl}- discharged at Sturgis, ]Micli.,at the expiration 
of his term of service. Afterward he traveled 
for a number of years, engaging in the sale of 
goods. In the fall of 1870 he commenced the 
study of medicine at Lisbon, under the preceptor- 
ship of a brother. Two \-ears later he took a 
course of lectures at the Universitj- of Michigan, 
at Ann Arbor, and subsequently was graduated 
from the Chicago Medical College. In 1873 he 
located at Casenovia, where he has since conducted 
an extensive and lucrative practice, making a 
specialty of surgery. He keeps abreast with the 
latest discoveries in the medical world, and has 
prosecuted his studies in the hospitals at Ann 
Arbor, Chicago and Bellevue. Socially, he is a 
member of the County and State Medical Socie- 
ties, and is also identified with the Masonic 
fraternity. For one year he otBciated as State 
Medical Director of the Grand Army of the Re- 
public, and is a member of the United States 
Pension Board, which meets at White Cloud. 

September 7, 1866, the Doctor was united in 
marriage with ]\Iiss Rebecca S., daughter of Will- 
iam and Amanda (Lemon) Clark, natives of Mon- 
roe County, Ind. Two children have blessed this 
Union, AViiliam A. and Thomas M. The elder son 
was educated in a Normal school, and studied law 
in the University of Michigan. He is now a resi- 
dent of Minneapolis. The younger son was 
educated in the Normal at Ypsilanti, and is now 
a student in Rush Jledical College at Chicago. 
Politically a Re()ublican, the Doctor has alwaj's 
been interested in eveiy measure calculated to 
promote the welfare of the community, and has 
been honored by his fellow-citizens with the 
higiiest office in their power to bestow, that of 
President of the village. 

In the medical world the name of Dr. Koon is 
well known and his abilities universally recognized. 
His biograph3-, thus briefiy related, is one that 
would honor any man; it is a history that, when 
measured by characteristics of sturd}-, unemotional 



^ "" 




^ ' 



V « 



t 




fe 



(Hq-c 



i/itifLdo-yXy 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



181 



lionesty and common-sense, marks the full ronnded 
man and citizen who is eiiiial to the hijfher de- 
mands of civilization. Sucii a man is invaluable 
in any community, and certainly the Doctor has 
proved himself an important factor m the projif- 
ress of Casenovia. 



Ij <" T "> C 



^^^EORGE J. TILLOTSOX, Vice-President of 
III J— ^ the Lakeside Manufacturing Company, of 
^^^j Muskegon, is well and favoralily known 
throughout the county and is esteemed for his many 
excellent qualities of mind and heart. Tiic firm with 
•which he is identified conducts an extensive saw and 
planing mill and box-factory business, the sawing 
cai)acity being about one hundred and twent v-(ive 
thousand feet, and the annual output aggregat- 
ing some eighteen million feet. Tlie l)()x depart- 
ment manufactures for the general wholesale trade, 
doing a business of about ^100,000 in that line. 
The affairs of the company are in a highly pros- 
perous condition, its sound business methods hav- 
ing secured for it a wide .acquaintance and good 
standing in the commercial world. 

The business was originally cstalilished in 18^i3 
by Hunter, Tillotson & Co., who were superseded 
by the Tillotson it Loveless Company, with a cap- 
ital slock of $2.j,O0O. In IHUO, this (irm was bought 
out by P. P. Misner, who.se interests were merged 
with the present Lakeside Company, which was or- 
ganized in iMay, 1891, with a capital stock of 
$:}0,()00. The officers are, J. W. Moon, President; 
George .1. Tillotson, Vice-President; P. P. Misuer, 
Secretary'; and W. W. Barcus, Treasurer, all well- 
known business men of Muskegon. The original 
of this notice was born in Saiatoga County, N. Y., 
November 11, 181U. to the union of David and 
Sally ( Hamlin) Tillotson. The mother was born 
in .Saratoga County, N. Y., and was the <laughter 
of Daniel Hamlin. 

Our subject, the fourtii in order of l)iith of 
seven children, passed his boyhood in Warren 
County', N. v., and received his education in the 



district schools. He assisted his father on the 
farm until seventeen years of age, and then went 
to the village of Glens Falls, N. Y., where he was 
employed in a sawmill until 1805. From there he 
came to Muskegon, Mich., and was in the sawmill 
business in this city for eleven years. After that 
he bought a sawmill and engaged in the manuf.ac- 
ture of lumber for two years, when he took in as 
partner E. A. Rlodgett. The business was contin- 
ued under the firm name of Tillotson it IJlodgett 
for eight years, when our subject disposed of his 
interest to his partner. Later he bought a saw- 
mill at Bluffton, on Muskegon Lake, and con- 
ducted this successfully- for four years, when the 
mill was burned. Since that time he has been en- 
gaged with others in the sawmill and box-factor3' 
business, under the firm title of the Lakeside Man- 
ufacturing Company. 

Mr. Tillotson was married in 1842 to Jliss 
Martha Norris, a resident of fJlens Falls, and a 
native of Vermont. Tl:cy have throe living chil- 
dren: Dallas C, insurance agent for the State of 
Michigan, representing the West Chester Insurance 
Company, of New York; Florence A., wife of D. 
D. Erwin; and Fanny, wife of .1. E. Montgomery. 
In jiolilics Mr. Tillotson is a strong supporter of 
Republican jirinciples, and since its organization 
has voted with that party. He isa Director in the 
Union National Hank, and is one of the substan- 
tial and worthy citizens of the county. 



THOMAS C. .STINSON, who owns and occu- 
/f /«-\ P't"^ •'' finch -improved farm of one hundred 
'\^^' and twenty- acres in Casenovia Township, 
Muskegon County, w.as born in the village of 
Slonaghan, Count}' Monaghan, Ireland, November 
4, 1823, being the son of William and Rebecca 
(Crague) Stinson. His grandfather, Patrick Stin- 
son, pas.sed his entire life in his native town, 
Hallyba}', County Monaghan, Ireland, where he 
followed the trade of a cooper. He and his wife 
were born in the same year, and p.a.ssod away 



182 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



duiing the same year, being one hundred and 
four years of age. TIr\v were the parents of four 
children: Samuel, .Jane, Elizabeth and William. 
In their religious convictions, they were firm 
believers in the doctrines of the Presbyterian 
Church. 

The only member of Grandfather Stinson's 
family who emigrated to the I'niled States was 
William, wlio was born in County Monaghan, 
Ireland, August 12, 1785. In 1830 lie crossed the 
broad Atlantic, and after a monotonous and 
uneventful voyage of seven weeks arrived in New 
York City. From there he proceeded to Oiiio, 
where he located in Crawford County, three miles j 
east of Bucyrus. During his entiic life he followed 
his trade of a cooper, although he also frequently 
engaged in farming piusuits. In 1844 lie located 
sixteen miles west of Toledo, where his death oc- 
curred on the 24tli of December, 18G8. His wife 
p.assed away in 18G0. Politically a Republican, 
he was active in local affairs and possessed consid- 
erable influence in his community. 

The mother of our subject was born in Count3- 
Monagban, Ireland, and was one of a family of 
six daughters and two sons, her father being 
Thomas Crague, a wealthy farmer of Ireland. Her 
two brothers were David and AValter, the former 
of whom emigrated to the United States and set- 
tled in the West. One of her sisters, Mrs. Marga- 
ret Foster, also came to America and resided in 
Crawford County, Ohio, until her death. After 
completing his studies in the common schools, our 
subject learned the trade of a cooper, which he 
followed for some years in connection with farm- 
ing pursuits. He cleared forty acres in Ohio, 
which hedisposed of in May, 18.56, and, coming to 
Michigan, bought sixty acres on section 36, Cas- 
enovia Township, IMuskegon Count}'. He now 
owns one hundred and twenty acres of highl}- 
cultivated land, upon which he engages in general 
fanning. 

In numerous |)ublic positions, Mr. Stinson has 
served with eflicienc}' and acceptably to all his 
fellow-citizens. For two terms he filled the posi- 
tion of Supervisor, for twenty years he served as 
Justice of the Peace and he has also been Township 
Treasurer. In September, 1864, he enlisted as a 



member of Company I, Ninth Michigan Infantry, 
and with his company served on the staff of Gen. 
Thomas. At the close of the war, he was honor- 
ably discharged, in September, 1865, at Jackson, 
Mich. Socially, he is identified with the Masonic 
fraternity. 

December 21, 1845, Mr. Stinson married Miss 
Sarah IMiller, who was born in Lucas County, Ohio, 
being the daughter of Lewis Miller, a shoemaker 
residing in that county. Five children were born 
of this marriage, four of whom arrived at mature 
years: Lambert, who died at the age of forty 
j-ears, leaving a widow and four children; Lewis, 
William and Samuel. After the death of his lirst 
wife, which occurred in .luly, 1855, our subject 
was united with Miss Catheriije All. a native of 
Ulster County, N. Y., and a daughter of John All, 
a farmer of Lucas County, Ohio. Seven children 
were born of this union, only two of whom sur- 
vive, Addie, wife of George Paris, and John. 



^ I ' 1 I I I I 



■^flAMAN E. STRONG, a prominent citizen and 
enterprising business man, senior partner in 
the well-known firm of Strong & McBride, 
shingle manufacturers of Muskegon, Mich., 
is a native of Cattaraugus County, N. Y., and was 
born Maj' 13, 1850. Our subject was the son of 
Jaman and Harriet (Winchester) Strong, both of 
the (jarents having been born within the limits of 
the Empire State, where their ancestors occupied 
positions of usefulness and influence. The father 
had received superior educational advantages, and 
was a phj-sician of local note, successful in his 
chosen profession and enjoying a wide practice in 
Cattaraugus County. After many years of untir- 
ing devotion to the cause of suffering humanity, 
this worthy physician was so severel}' injured by 
the kick of a horse that he soon after died, in the 
j-ear 1851, passing awaj' deeply mourned h}' all 
who knew him. The excellent mother, 3-ct surviv- 
ing, resides in the city of Buffalo, where she has 
long made her permanent home. The union of 



\>s^ 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGR^vrillCAL liECORD. 



183 



llio pnreiits was lile<sed l>v tlie l)ii-lli of brijrlit siiul 
intuUigeiit c'liildreii, wlio weio left fallieilcss ;il a 
very lender age. Jainan K. was tlie eldest son and 
second child of tlic group which once gathered 
about the fireside of the old New York Slate 
home so tnauy changing years ago. 

Our subject, reared in his birthplace, attended 
the schools of the neighborhood during his child- 
hood, and later received more advanced instruc- 
tion in an academy at Springville, ]S'. Y., there 
completing with honor a course of study. As he 
attained to a self-reliant manhood, he ambitiouslj' 
determined to begin his business career in the 
farther West, where he hopefully looked forward 
to making his fortune. In ISGo, journeying to 
Michigan. Mr. Strong came to Muskegon, and not 
long after his arrival obtained employment in a 
mill in Montague, where he remained two years, 
and later was variously engaged in the differ- 
ent departments of the lumber business for some 
length of time. In 1887 entering upon the manu- 
facture of shingles, our subject two years later, in 
1889, received into partnership Mr. McHride, with 
whom he has since profitably conducted business 
upon the present site of the shingle mill, which 
now furnishes an immense product to a large and 
rapidly increasing trade. Our subject in serving 
his apprenticeship to his present business was en- 
gaged for three years in logging in the Upper 
Peninsula. In 1888, Mr. Strong established his 
factor}- in its present location, and built a shingle 
mill and shops. His extensive factor}' has a capac- 
it}- of two hundred thousand shingles per day, 
and employs a large force of men regularly. 

Jaman K. Strong and Miss Sarah K. Crane were 
united in marriage .luly 1, 1878. The estimable 
wife of our subject was a resident of Montague, 
and a daughter of Curtis C. Crane. One child, a 
])roniising son, Harold C, has blessed the union. 
Tiie pleasant home is desirably located at No. 139 
Harrison Street. I'olitically a Republican, our 
subject is well posted in the current affairs of the 
day, and is deeplv interested in local and national 
issues. Mr. Strong has one brother living, the 
Rev. Leroy Strong, a Methodist Kiiiscopal minis- 
ter of Albion, N. Y. His sister, the wife of Nathan 
Wilder, resides in Van Huren Countj-, Mich. Our 



subject, now numbered among the leading manu- 
facturers f)f Muskegon County, may with pleasure 
review the struggles and triumphs of a life whose 
manly, earnest efforts have been so abundantly 
crowned with well-earned success. 



MANUEL M. DUTTENHOKER, the ener- 
getic and enterprising superintendent of 
the Eagle Tanning AVorks, Whitehall, Mus- 
kegon County, Mich., is a native of Ann Arbor 
and was born December IG, 18(;.'). His parents. 
Christian and {icrlrude (Scliuli) Duttenhofer, were 
among the early settlers of the Wolverine State. 
The father was born in the Province of Wurtein- 
berg, Germany, in IX.'i.'i, and was the son of Chris- 
tian Duttenhofer, a lifetime resident of the Father- 
land and a stonemason by trade. The paternal 
great-grandfather was an honored Lutheran min- 
ister, and with his sons and daughters spent his en- 
tire life in his native land. The grandfather hav- 
ing but very limited means, his children early fit- 
ted themselves for the battle of life. The father 
of our subject enjoyed but the most limited oppor- 
tunities for an education in the Old Country and 
when quite young went into a machinc-shop.wherc 
he remained until he was nineteen years of age. 
Young and ambitious, he finally decided to try 
his fortunes in America, and with but a small cap- 
ital crossed the broad Atlantic and, safely landing 
in the United States, proceeded directl}' to the 
State of Michigan. Desiring to locate in Ann 
Arbor, he was obliged to borrow twenty-five cents 
with which to pay the expenses of the last few 
miles of his journey. 

Christian Duttenhofer at once received emjiloy- 
ment in a tanneiy, and, learning the trade, worked 
at it steadily for two years, then spent the suc- 
ceeding two years in different places in the West, 
but at last returned to .Vnn Arbor. In this latter 
city, in 18.')U, were united in marriage Christian 
Duttenhofer anil Miss Oertrnde Schuli,also a na- 



184 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



tive of Wurteraberp:, Germany, born in 1840. 
The motlier came to Ihis country when a child 
with her parents and settled in New York State, 
where her father tilled the soil and remained until 
his death. Previous to this event, however, the 
estimable mother of our subject made Michig'.in 
her home. Mr. Duttenhoffr owned a small farm 
near Ann Arbor, and there he and his wife settled 
and together side by side aided each other up the 
hill of life. For twenty-five years the father of 
our subject continued at his trade, and five j'ears 
of this time was proprietor of a tannery, which he 
built upon his farm. In 1878 he removed to 
Ypsilanti, where he operated a tanner}- for a time, 
and in 1882 came to AVhitehall, where he is en- 
gaged in the duties as foreman of the yards of the 
Eagle Tanning Works, of which liis son, Emanuel 
M., has the full charge. 

The father is a devout member of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church and, a man of high principle, 
is a stanch Prohibitionist. His brother William 
was a soldier in the German army and later, emi- 
grating to America, journeyed to California and 
was lost sight of by the other members of the fam- 
ily. Of the brothers and sisters who gathered in 
the home of the parents, .lulia, the eldest, married 
August Coors, a Methodist preacher at Clare, 
Mich. Henrietta married Uriah Tower, who is a 
merchant and the PostmastiT at New Duluth, 
.Alinn. Nellie, a graduate of the High .School, and 
(iustavus Adolph, a bright student, are both with 
tlieir parents. Emanuel M., our subject, was edu- 
cated in the High School of Ann Aibor, and as- 
sisted his father on the farm, later learning all the 
details of liis present line i)f business in the tan- 
nery at Ypsilanti. In 1882, he made Whitehall 
his iiermanenl location and for four years was em- 
ployed in the tanning works of wiiich he is now 
the valued superintendent, and in which responsi- 
ble position he has given faithful service for the 
past seven years. Jlr. IJultenhofer is justly num- 
bered among the rising young business men of 
AVhitehall. He is a member of the Methodist 
Episcopal Churcii and active in religious work and 
enterprise. P'raternaily, our subject is connected 
witii the Ancient Free it AcceiJted Masons and po- 
litically is a Prohibitionist. For four^-ears he has 



been a member of the Board of Equalization and, 
possessing executive ability, has in this official 
work given great satisfaction to the general pub- 
lic. Our subject is yet unmarried and makes his 
home with the other members of liis father's fam- 
ily', all of whom occupy positions of usefulness and 
command tlie high regard of man}- friends. 



V. 






^^^USTAVHUBE 
'If ,— _ Haven Manuf 
■^Ol' Haven, Mich 



^^USTAV HUBERT is manager of the Grand 
ifacturing Company, of Grand 
Mich. The firm manufactures 
wagon jacks, shears, punches, celery' plows and 
does a general blacksmithing and wagon repair 
business. Under the able management of our sub- 
ject this business is now in a flourishing condition 
and the company enjoj's an extensive trade. 

Mr. Hubert is a native of German}-, his birth 
having occurred in 1846 in Prussia, where the 
days of his boyhood and youth were passed. He 
attended the common schools in accordance with 
the laws of his country until fourteen 3'ears of age 
and then began serving a four years' apprentice- 
ship to the blacksmith's and wagonmaker's trade. 
He is therefore now a practical workman and, as 
he thoroughly understands the business, is capable 
of managing and dii'ecting others. Having ar- 
rived at man's estate, he determined to seek a 
h(mie in the New World, and in 1869 crossed the 
brin}' deep, landing in New York. He did not 
tarry long in the Eastern metropolis, but made his 
waj' at once to Kent Count}', Micii., and has since 
lived in this State. There he sought and se- 
cured employment at his trade, which he foUovved 
until the year 1871, wiien he came to Grand 
Haven. Here he lias since resided. Forming a 
partnei-ship with his father-in-law, August Hubert, 
lie established the works of the Grand Haven 
Manufacturing Company- and has successfully con- 
ducted the business up to the presont time, doing 
a good local trade and receiving many orders from 
foreign markets. Our subject invented and pat- 



POKTIIAIT AND lilOGRAl'IIICAL RECORD. 



185 



cnted the "Boss" waijon jack, wliicli he now m.in- 
ufactuies and which is meeting with a good sale. 
In 1892, he patented the celery plow, another of 
his inventions. It is used in the cultivation of 
celery, one of the chief products of Michigan, and 
has proven quite successful. 

In 187.3, a marriage was celelirated in Grand 
Haven whicli united tiie destinies of our subject 
and Jliss August.i Hubert, daughter of August 
Hubert, wlio is Treasurer of the (Trand Haven 
Manufacturing Company. Unto them has been 
born a family of seven children, two sons and 
three daughters, who in order of birth are as fol- 
lows: Matilda, Bertha, Henry, Annie and Freder- 
ick. The two deceased are Edward and Theresa. 

In politics, Mr. Hubert is a supporter of Dem- 
ocratic principles, but h.is never been an aspirant 
for otHcial preferment. He cares not to enter 
the political arena, desiring rather to give his en- 
tire time and attention to his business interests. 
He possesses considerable inventive genius, is a 
painstaking and thorough workman and is now en- 
joying a well-deserved success. He need never 
have occasion to regret leaving his native land 
and coming to America, for lie has found in the 
New World a comfortable home, a good business, 
has gained prosperity and has made many pleas- 
ant friends, who esteem him highl}' for the many 
excellencies of his character and his sterling 
worth. 



=^>^^<^^ 



1 



m 



'OHX J. BITHFIR, a leading business man 
and enterprising proprietor of the Union Tea 
Company of Muskegon, Mich., carries a com- 
plete lintT of the choicest teas handled in 
the United .States. He also deals largely in the 
best grades of coffee, likewise offering a handsome 
stock of queensware. Catering to the deiriaiids 
of a large city trade, our subject enjoys an ex- 
tended custom, reaching out into the surrounding 
country. Mr. Hither, fiorn his childhood inti- 
mately associated with the growth and upward 
progress of the 'Wolvcriuc State, is a native of 



Columbia County, N. Y., and was born .I:inuary 
30, 18.t7. His father, John Bitlier, a native of 
Germany, reared and educated in the Old Coun- 
try, had arrived at mature age befure. bidding 
adieu to the familiar scenes of youth. Ii>' emigrated 
to the United .State. He made bis home in New 
York until about thirty >ears of age, and. a man 
of industrious thrift and enterprise, was numbered 
among the substantial residents of Columbia 
County'. The mother, Frances (Spath) Hither, 
born in Germany, was the descendant of a long 
line of sturdy ancestry, and from her childhood 
trained into habits of self-reliant usefulness, was 
well fitted when she arrived at womanhood to as- 
sume the cares and responsibilities of married 
life. 

Children blessed the pleasant home of the par- 
ents, and in Columbia County Mr. Either received 
his first schooling in his home district. John J. 
completed his studies in the public schools of his 
new home, and in 1877, beginning life for him- 
self, located permanently in Muskegon. Ho re- 
ceived a training in the handling of merchandise 
in the store of Albert Towel, and continued in his 
employ for two years, making a wide acquaint- 
ance and gaining a knowledge of business methods. 
For a twelvemonth after he worked for Frank 
Alberts, and then received a position in the gro- 
cery house of W. II. Fletcher. In 1886, Mr. Bither 
ambitiousi}' embarked in business for himself, then 
opening a fruit bazaar at No. 12 Jefferson Street. 
During the latter part of 1886, our subject en- 
gaged in his present business in partnership with 
Mangold & Hess, the firm name being i\Iangold, 
Hess & Bither. The partnership profitably en- 
dured until 1889, when the present firm of Man- 
gold ifc Bither bought out Mr. Hess, and have 
since prosperously conducted a tea and coffee bus- 
iness, one of the best in its line in the county-. 

In 1887, .lohn .1. Bither and Miss Dema Lamp- 
man, of Allegan, Mich., were united in marriage. 
The estimable wife of our sul)ject, an attractive 
and accomplished lady of worth and high intelli- 
gence, possesses the confidence and esteem of a 
wide circle of friends. The pleasant home on 
Western Avenue has been cheered b}' the pres- 
ence of a bright little son, Lyman. Financially 



186 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



prospered, our subject has won his own way self 
reliaully to an assured position of useful influ- 
ence. His time is mainly devoted to the cares 
of business, and he may well be proud of the 
fine establishment which, 85x22 feet, presents 
an array of wares attractively arranged. Al- 
tliough not a politician, Mr. Billier, as a good 
citizen, takes an active interest in llie vital ques- 
tions of the day, and, ever ready to lend a lielping 
liand in maters of local enterprise, is esteemed a 
liberal-spirited citizen of executive ability and 
superior business attainments. 









^., ILTON THOMPSON, an energetic farmer 
iW and efficient Supervisor of Holton Town- 




ship, Muskegon County, Mich., cultivating 
a fine homestead pleasantly located upon 
section 15, is a native of the Wolverine State and, 
born in Ray, Macomb Country, in 1829, has for 
more than three-score years lieen a constant wit- 
ness of the wonderful growth and rapid develop- 
ment of Michigan. Our subject is the son of Na- 
thaniel and Susannah (Sauthcrland) Tlioraiison, 
pioneer settlers of the West. The father, a native 
of Yates County, N. Y., was reared upon a farm 
and engaged in the tilling of the soil all his life. 
Remaining with the paternal grandparents until 
he had attained to manhood, he enjoyed a limited 
education in the jirimitive schools of that time. 
Tiie father had no capital with which to hcgin life, 
but self-reliantly won his own way in the world. 
He was married in New York to the daughter 
of David iSautlierland and subsequent to this 
event engaged with courage in the War of 1812. 
Into the parents were boin seven children: Joel, 
deceased; Maria, deceased, wife of John Plunkett; 
Robert, deceased; Hannah, deceased, wife of Jo- 
seph Sautlieriand; David, deceased; Hhoda, who 
died at the age of nineteen; and Milton. Polit- 
ically, the father was a life-long Democrat and an 
ardent advocate of that party. 

la 1821, the parents emigrated to Macomb 



County, Mich., where the father bought tliree hun- 
dred and twenty acres of Government land, and be- 
fore he received much benefit from his hard lal)or 
passed away, in the year 1831. His good wife, 
surviving him manj- years, some time after his de- 
raise married Alexander Tackles. Our subject re- 
mained at home with his mother until nearly 
twenty-one years of age and worked at the trade 
of a carpenter to a limited extent. Mr. Thompson 
owned at various times different farms in Jlacomb 
County, and for nine years devoted himself to the 
manufacture of agricultural implements in Romeo. 
Not being successful in that venture, in 1877 he 
located in Cedar Creek Township, Muskegon 
County, where he remained for five 3'ears, then set- 
tled upon his present farm. Of the one hundred 
and sixty acres, eighty acres are cleared, cultivated 
and under excellent improvements, with a good 
dwelling, substantial barns and outbuildings. Our 
subject was married in his native county to IMiss 
Martha M. Bernard, a daughter of Asahel and 
Mary (Dean) Bernard. Of the eleven children 
who blessed the home of our subject and his 
wortliy wife two died joung. Alice married 
Charles L. Stoddard. Herbert N. was the second 
in order of hirth. Mary S. became the wife of A. 
J. Parker; Homer, Irwm, Nettie (wife of S. G. 
Fr30ver), Schuyler, John and Gertrude complete 
the list of sons and daughters. 

Mr. Thompson served with fidelity during the 
late Civil War, enlisting in November, 18G2, in 
Company G, Kiglith Michigan Cavalry, and fought 
under Gen. I>urnside in the Army of Ohio. Our 
subject actively participated in the siege of Knox- 
ville, and was [irescnt when Morgan w.as captured 
after a long |)ursuit. Mr. Thompson took an act- 
ive part in the engairenienls of Campbell Station, 
Lenore Station, Strawlierry Plains, and lilaiue's 
Cross Roads. He was then placed <tn delaclied duty 
at Jackson, Mich., and in M.ay, 1865, received his 
honorable discharge, and as a member of Dahl- 
"ren Post No. I-IH now finds much enjoyment in 
the reunions of the Grand Army of the Republic. 
Mr. Thompson is fraternally connected with the 
Ancient Free \' Accepted Masons and joined 
Romeo Lodge No. 41. He is also a meinberof the 
Grange of Holton. Politically a Republican, he 



rORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



187 



discharged the duties of Treasurer for one year 
and for eight years served to the satisfaction of 
tiie entire communit3' as Justice of the Peace. Al- 
though Supervisor but a short time, he has abl}' 
demonstrated his fitness for the responsible posi- 
tion and thoroughly commands the esteem and 
confidence of a host of friends. 



ON. GEORGE C. RICE, for many years the 
able and enterprising editor and proprietor 
of the Muskegon Clironicle, and well known 
throughout the State of Micliigan as a man 
of sterling worth ancl broad intelligence, entered 
into rest May 31, 1874. Througiiout his career of 
busy usefulness our subject had occupied with 
honor many oflicial positions of trust, and although 
at iiis demise but forty-tliree years of age, was 
numbered among the leading citizens of the Wol- 
verine State. Mr. Hice was born in Rocliester, 
N. Y., February 18, 18.'!G, and, ciiucated in tiie 
home of his childhood, attained to mature .age a 
self-made man of anilntious and reso'iule purpose. 
While a youth he delerinined to familiarize liim- 
self with newspai)er work, and to that end en- 
tered a priiiting-ollice and served a failliful ap- 
preiiliceshii) at the case, working his upward way 
under adverse circumstances and opposed b}' a 
variety of forces, wliicli only stimulated him to re- 
newed excition. When Iwenly-four years of age 
and tlioroughly versed in liie practical details of 
printing and pul)lishing, our subject purchased 
tlie C'licnango Tcliyraph, issued at Norwicli, N. Y. 
During the twelve succeeding years, in which he 
edited this paper with marked clllcieiiey, he was 
called to variou-i inipurta'it puljlic positions in 
the State of New York; 

At one time elected County Treasurer and at 
another period chosen a member of the Assembly 
or Lower House of the State Legislature, he dis- 
charged the responsibilities entrusted to his care 
to the great benefit of the general public and the 



entire satisfaction of his friends and constituent*. 
Throughout his career the private and i)ublic trusts 
reposed in him were ever carefully handled with 
a fidelity and conscientiousness apiiarent to all 
who knew him. In 1869 he ])erinanently located 
in Aluskegou, where he purchased and became the 
editor and proprietor of the iVecs (tnd lieporlcr, 
the name of which was afterward changed to the 
Muskegon Chronicle. The Chronirlc, presenting a 
fine typographical appearance and brilliantly ed- 
ited, enjo^'ed a large circulation and was success- 
fully conducted by our subject up to the time of 
his death. Politically a stanch Republican, ^Ir. 
Rice was witli word and pen devoted to the in- 
terests of the party, and did excellent public ser- 
vice in behalf of the principles which heso ardently 
advocated. His course, ever consistent, was guided 
by honor and integrity', and in his death right 
and justice lost a stanch friend. He v\as frater- 
nally a valued member of the Independent Order 
of Odd Fellows, and had among the order a host 
of sincere friends. Mr. Rice was twice married, his 
first wife, who died in 18G2, being INIaria I-. Rus- 
sell, to whom he was married in 1857 and by whom 
he had two children, namely: Clinton, in the 
newspaper business in Salt Lake City, and Lulu, 
wife of Robert K. Mann, of Muskegon. 

December 27, 18(!4. were united in marriage 
George C. Rice and Miss Jennie A. Kiissell (a sister 
of his lirst wife), a native of Rroome County, N. Y., 
and the daughter of Calvin Russell, l)orn in the 
Empire .Stale, but the descendant of a long 
line of honored Fri'iicli and ICnglish ancesliy. 
The mother of Mrs. Rice, in maidenhood .Miss 
Luanna Page, was likewise a native of New 
York, and a daughter of .hired Page, an early and 
highly esteemed settler of Chenango County. The 
estimable wife of our subject spent the days of 
girlhood in New York and was educated in the 
excellent schools of ISInghamlon. She has proved 
to lie a kind and atfeelionate iiiolher to the chil- 
dren of her deceased sister. After the death of 
her husband, Mrs. Rice, who (lo.ssesses superior 
business al)ility, assumed the management of affairs, 
then much involved, and for three years pros[)er- 
ously publishing the Clirom'rli', later sold out, 
having liciuidaled the debts and [ilaeed herself 



188 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



upon a sound, financial basis. Since, she has 
built a fine biick block, two stories high, 70x63 
feet, and derives a handsome income from the 
rents of this valuable property. A refined 
lad}' of culture, Mrs. Rice has demonstrated 
her ability to meet and cope with difficulties, and, 
respected for her business qualifications, is highly 
esteemed for her worth of character and social 
accomplishments. She is a member of tlie Con- 
gregational Church and is an efficient worker. 
The attractive home. No. 18 Jefferson Street, Mus- 
kegon, Mich., is visited by a wide circle of friends 
and long-time acquaintances. Nineteen years have 
passed since the untimely demise of George C. 
Rice, but in the hearts of those who knew him, as 
he was a loving husband and father, a true and 
loyal citizen, his meraoiy will long endure green 
and fragrant. 



•i Gr^ 



1^ I^ILLIAM F. WISELOGEL, the able propri- 
\/jJ// etor of the Wiselogel Planing Jlill, Mus- 
}^ kegon, Mich., and in 1892 the efficient 
City Treasurer, was born in Stark County, Oliio, 
May 28, 1843. His father, Michael W., a native 
of Strasburg, Germany, emigrated to America in 
1824 and became a pioneer settler of the Buckeye 
State. The patyrnal grandfather, George Wiselo- 
gel, also a native of Germany and a man of worth 
and upright character, spent his entire life in the 
Old Country. The mother, P_;iizabeth (Snyder) 
Wiselogel, was born in Cologne, Germany. Until 
twelve years of age our subject resided in Massil- 
lon, Ohio, and then removed with his parents to 
Michigan, locating in Albion in 1855, and there 
completing his studies in the common schools of 
his home neighborhood. As he grew to manhood 
Mr. Wiselogel became tliorouglily versed in the 
daih' round of agricultural duties upon his fa- 
ther's farm. In 1860 lie journeyed to Muskegon, 
Mich., and for a twelvemontli worked in a sawmill. 
Desirous of learning a trade, our subject was at 
eigliteen years apprenticed to a carpenter, and ere 



long had acquired the details of planing and 
joining and partially fitted himself to become a 
carpenter and builder. 

In .September, 1862, answering to the call of the 
Government, William Wiselogel enlisted in Com- 
pan}- D, Tiiird Michigan Cavalry, commanded b}- 
Col. .John K. Mizuer, and, assigned to the Arm}' 
of the Gulf, actively participated in the deci- 
sive battles of Corintli, luka, Jackson (Tenn.), 
Holly Springs, Coffeeville (Miss.), and Mobile, 
Ala. In 1865, after a long and courageous service, 
our subject was mustered out at San Antonio, 
Tex. lie then returned to Albion, Mich., and not 
long after took a commercial course in Ira Mah- 

; ner's Business College in Albion. He next more 
satisfactorily finished his apprenticeship as a car- 
penter, and engaged in building until 1869, when 
he settled permanently in Muskegon and engaged 
in millwrighting and contracting until 1877. At 
this latter date the Wiselogel Planing Mill was 
established, but it was burned to the ground the 
succeeding 3'ear. Mr. Wiselogel immediately rebuilt 
the mill, which continued a most profitable invest- 
ment until he sold out in 1886, wiien he at once 
built his present mill, standing near the tracks of 
the Grand Rapids & Indiana Railroad. The Wise- 
logel Planing Milll has a capacity of one hundred 
thousand feet of lumber per day. and, equipped 
with the best improved machinery, employs the 
year round about fort}' men, and manufactures 
sash, doors, and hard and soft wood interior 
finishings. Mr. Wiselogel has secured the con- 
tract for the interior finishings of the new court 

, house of Muskegon County, the handsome build- 
ing being now in course of construction. 

October 12, 1867, were uniced in marriage Will- 
iam F. Wiselogel and Miss Alsemeda Dyer, of Al- 
bion, Mich., and daughterof Francis J. Dyer, a na- 
tive of Vermont. The beautiful home of Mr. and 
Mrs. Wiselogel is pleasanti}' located at No. 27 Ham- 
ilton Street, Muskegon. Politically a Republican 
and a local leader of the party, our subject was in 
1882 elected Alderman from the Second Ward, and 
for a period of two years efficiently discharged the 
duties intrusted to him by his constituents. In 
1892 elected City Treasurer, Mr. Wiselogel for a 
twelvemonth faithfully cared for the public inter- 



'% 



^1 




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



191 



estsof the department of finance, and through his 
wise service won the approval of '.he generiil public. 
Fraternally, our subject is connected with Lov- 
oU Jlpore Lodge No. 182, A. F. iV A. M., and is 
Present Commander of Phil Kearney Post No. 
7, G. A. R. lie is also a member of Muskegon 
Lodge No. 133, A. O. U. W., and is likewise con- 
nected with Muskegon Lodge No. 92, I. O. O. F. 
Our sul)ject is Grand Conductor of the (irand 
Lodge of the Independent t)rder of Odd Fellows 
of Michigan. and is connected with Davis Encanip- 
n'.cnt No. 47,1. O. O. F., and belongs lo Muskegon 
Encam|)ment No. 6, I. O. O. F. Ills wife alliliates 
with the Daughters of Rebecca No. 124,1.0.0. F., 
and is a member of the Eastern Star, Nezbeth. 
Mv. Wiselogel is a valued member of these various 
ordei-s and possesses a host of friends. Taking a 
deep interest in the promotion of public welfare 
and business enterprise, our subject early became 
a member of the Chamber of Commerce, and occu- 
picsa high place among the substantial and liberal- 
spirited citizens of his home city and the State. 



-^^l 



H^ 



H 



u^ 



^! ACOB B. McNETT, M. D., a retired physi- 
I cian,now living in Grand Haven, for many 
^=^\ ; years successfully ensaired in tlie practice 
^5^^ of his profession and won an enviable 
reputation. On account of his advancing years, 
however, he has now laid aside all business cares, 
with the exception of serving as exaniiiiing 
surgeon on llie Pension Board. 

The Doctor was l)orn in .leffersoii County, N. Y., 
February 20, 1816, and comes of an old family of 
Scotch origin that was founded in .America during 
Colonial days. His father, Samuel McN'ett, was a 
native of Massachusetts, and served as a Captain 
in the War of IHTi. He Ijecanie a noted politician 
and was prominent in puljlic circles. He reached 
the advanced age of eighty-six and died in the 
Empire State. His wife, who boie the maiden 
name of .Sallie Hutchins, w.as a native of New 
York. 
9 



The Doctor is the eldest of ten children. He 
spent his childhood under the parental I'oof and 
acquired his education in the common schools and 
Geneva College, from wliich institution he was 
graduated in 1845. Wishing to enter the medical 
profession and make its practice his life work, 
he began reading with Drs. Frame & Powers, well- 
known physicians of New York. He entered upon 
practice in his native Stale, and remained there 
until 1857, when he emigrated Westward. Casting 
his lot among the people of Grand Haven, Mich., 
he has since made his home in this city. Opening 
an office, he conducted a general practice for more 
than a third of a century, and received from the 
public a liberal patronage. Since 1892, however, he 
has lived a retired life. 

In 1846, Dr. JlcXett was married to Miss 
Louise Hunter, of Huron, Wayne County', N. Y. 
She died in (irand Rapids in the year 1878, leaving 
two sons, William, now a resident of Utah, and 
Frank, who is living in Omaha, Neb. The Doctor 
makes his home at the corner of Franklin and 
Third Streets, in Grand Haven, where he expects 
to spend his remaining days. He is comfortably 
situated in life, having through his labors and 
enterprise in former j'ears gained a competence. 

In 1863, Dr. McNett enlisted in the service of 
his country- as Assistant Surgeon of the First 
Michigan Sharpshooters, commanded by Col. De 
Land, the regiment being assigned to the Army of 
the Potomac. Our subject was later detailed for 
hospital service, having charge of the Ft. Wayne 
Hospital. After the close of the war, he was ap- 
pointed surgeon of the Navajo Indian Agency, in 
Arizona, where he remained about nine months. 
In 1882, lie w'as appointed i)hysician at the State 
House of Correction, which is located at Ionia, 
Mich., serving in that capacity two years. The 
appointment was made by Governor Begole, and 
at that time I). U. Waters was Warden of the 
house. Ill- has also served as City Physician and 
Health Olliccr of Grand Haven for several years, 
and was one of the pension examiners for the 
l'"iftli District for four years, and has recently re- 
ceived the appointment again. Socially, he b«- 
longs to {irand Haven Lodge No. 13, A. F. it A. 
M., and also to the chapter. He has taken (juite 



192 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD, 



a prominent part in politics and is a stalwart sup- 
porter of the Democracy. The cause of temper- 
ance finds in him a warm advocate and one who 
is never weary of work in its behalf. Dr. McNett 
is both widely and favorably known in this com- 
niunit3' and has a large circle of warm friends. 



^^-f^m^ 



lEORGE M. MILLER, a leading farmer of 
i|l j^ Chester Township, Ottawa County, and one 
*^Ji| of the oldest German residents of the com- 
munity, was. born in ^Vurtemberg, Germany, Janu- 
ary 30, 1831, and is a son of Cliristian and Barbara 
(Kurz) Miller, who were also natives of the same 
land. Their family numbered eight children, of 
whom the following are still living: George M., 
Henry, and Fredericka, wife of Fred Ata, of Ches- 
ter Township. The mother died in Germany in 
1848, and in 1850 the father was united in mar- 
riage with Sophia Kober. They came to America 
in 1876, and settled upon the farm of our subject, 
where the death of Mr. Miller occurred .luly 20, 
1881, at the age of eighty-one years, seven months 
and twenty days. His second wife is still living, 
and resides in this county. To them were born 
three children: Barbara, wife of J. Sehler, of 
Grand Rapids; Regina, wife of Benjamin Van 
Wildenburg.of Chester Township; and Mrs. Chris- 
tina Bauer, a widow, who resides with Mrs. Van 
Wildenburg. 

In accordance with the laws of his native land, 
the subject of this sketch attended school until 
fourteen years of age, and then learned the trade 
of nailmaking, manufacturing all kinds of nails 
then in use by hand. His father owned a farm, 
and in connection with his other business George 
also aided in its cultivation. With the desire to 
try his fortune in tiie New World, he bade adieu to 
home and friends in 1852 and sailed for America, 
landing in New YorkCitv on the 25th of Septem- 
ber, lie remained in New York State until 1854, 
when be started for Michigan, reaching Grand 
Rapids on the 22d of October, with a cash capital 



of -$200. He began working on the 24th as a 
teamster, for $16 per month, and was thus era- 
plo3ed for three years, during which time his 
wages were advanced to $26 per month. Living 
ecOHOmically and frugally, with his savings he 
purchased seven lots in Grand Rapids and erected 
two residences. There he remained until 1860, 
when, on the 2d of April, he removed to Chester 
Township, Ottawa County, settling a half-mile 
from his present home. This farm of eighty acres 
was almost entirely unimproved. Mr. Miller built 
a '"box" house, the floor being boards laid upon 
the ground, and the cracks in the dwelling were so 
large thai the snow would sift through upon the 
beds. 

Mr. Miller has since traded his first farm for one 
hundred and sixty acres, of which sixty acres were 
cleared. This is his present place of residence, 
and now one hundred and twentj' acres of the 
homestead are under a high state of cultivation. 
His landed possessions aggregate five hundred 
acres, of which three hundred and sixty acres are 
cultivated, and to his two sons he has given one 
hundred and five acres each. He has been alike 
generous with his daughters, to whom he has given 
-$1,000 each. He continued the development of 
his land until 1883, since which tune he has 
practically lived retired; however, he has made 
his farm one of the best in the community, placing 
upon It all the necessar}' improvements and con- 
veniences, and transforming the raw fields into 
tracts of rich fertility. He has made judicious 
investments in real estate, and in connection with 
his brother and brother-in-law owns much of 
Conklin. He was for years actively engaged in 
the real-estate business, and ^et carries on opera- 
tions in tiiat line tf) a considerable extent. 

On the 2d of August, 1859, Mr. Miller was 
joined in marriage with Barbara Scliuier, a native 
of Germany, who came to America with her 
parents, Lachman and Catherine Schuler, she being 
their only child. The mother still makes her 
home with her daughter, at the age of seventy- 
six. The marriage of Mr. and Jlrs. Jliller was 
celebrated in Grand Kapids, and their union lias 
been blessed with eight children, namely: Chris- 
tina, wife of Michael Frank, of Chester To\vn>hi(), 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



193 



Ottawa County; Henry and Philip F., both of the 
same township; Fredericka C.,wife of JohiiUlmer, 
of Ottawa County; Elizabeth, wife of John Ritz, 
of Ki'ut (.'ounly; Barbara and C'hira,bolh at lionie. 
The parents are members of the I^utlieran 
Cliureh, and are inVliiy respected people, who 
hold an enviable position in social circles where 
true wtiitli and intelligence arc received as the 
passport into j;ood society. During the late war 
Mr. Miller served as recruiting officer of liis town- 
ship. In politics, he is one of llie proiiiiiieiit 
nienibors of the Democratic party in Ottawa 
County, and has been lumored with many local 
offices. For eight 3'ears he was Township Treas- 
urer, and for fourteen years wa.s Highway Com- 
missioner. His long-continued service is a high 
testimonial to his fldelity to dulj-. In 1872, Mr. 
Miller made a trip to Germany, and pleasantly 
spent several weeks in renewing the acquaintances 
of his youth and visiting childhood scenes, but he 
is content with America as the land of his abode, 
for here he has found a pleasant home and met 
with prosperity. 



,^:S^5iS^ 




^ii-^"i^l:IM^%# 



(|4_^ ON. WILLIAM CARPENTER, theable City 
Attorney and eloqufut advocate at the Bar 
of Muskegon, Mich., is junior partner of the 
successful legal firm of Runker A- Car[K'nter, 
and is widely known as a man of excellent judicial 
abilit3- and high attainments. Our subject, a na- 
tive of Chautauqua County. N. Y., was born .luly G, 
1853, and was the son of William A. and Laura 
(Smith) Carpenter. The father was a native of 
Massachusetts and a descendant of intelligent 
New Englanil ancestors. The mother, who was a 
native of New York, aiul the daughter of Cyrus 
Smith, a highly respected citizen of that State, re- 
ceived an excellent education in the home of her 
childhood. The father, energetic and enterprising, 
cmbarke(l in the mercantile business and was va- 
riously emploi'cd for a time, but in 18.')7 deter- 
mined to locate in the West, and with his family 



journeyed in an early day to Michigan and made 
his home in Saginaw. He remained tliere until 
1872, when he removed with his wife and children 
to Farwell, Mich., and there engaged in handling 
merchandise. William Carpenter was the second 
of the three children who blessed the home of the 
parents. He spent the days of boyhood in attend- 
ing the common schools of his home neighborhood, 
and later received a course of instruction in the 
High School, completing his studies with honors. 

Mr. Carpenter later taught school, engaging in 
the vocation of an instructor for about one year. 
In the mean time he improved every available op- 
portunity- to increiise his stock of knowledge by 
readingand observation, also by studyingand read- 
ing law, and spent one year in Farwell. In the 
fall of 1870 he entered the Slate University and 
took a thorough course in the literary and scien- 
lillc department, graduating with honor in the year 
1877. Imracdiatel}' upon the completion of his 
course in the University, Mr. Carpenter entered 
upon his duties as Principal of the High School of 
Alpena, Mich. During the following year our 
subject kept books, and also pursued his studies, 
and was more or less engaged in reading law un- 
til the year 1871), when he was admitted to prac- 
tice at the Bar of the State. Later, entering the 
law department of the State University, Mr. Car- 
penter made still more extended preparation for 
his professional career and graduated from the law 
department in 1880, receiving his degree. Locat- 
ing permanently in .Muskegon, in the year 1887 he 
formed a partnership with Robert E. Bunker, and 
the linn entered upon a prosperous career, attain- 
ing to an enviable reputation and enjoying a 
large practice in all the courts of the State. 

In the mean lime, in 1881, William Carpenter 
was honored by an a|)pc)inlnienl to the Bench of 
the Probate Court to lill the vacancy caused by the 
death of .Judge Wylie. Occupying the otlice with 
efficiency, our subject gave faithful service to the 
people of the county. For two years Mr. Car- 
penter discharged with ability the duties of City 
Attornc3', and, in the year 1892 re-appointed, is 
now serving the general public in that capacity. 
In politics he is a Republican, and is prominent 
in the local councils of his party, and takes a 



194 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



high place in city and State conventions, being 
recognized as a citizen of executive ability aud 
clear judgment. December 26, 1883, wore united 
in marriage William Carpenter and Miss Harriet 
Woodruff, of Farwell, and daugliter of Henr}' 
Woodruff. Two daughters have brightened the 
pleasant home at No. 55 Peck Street. Our sub- 
ject, financialh" prospered in the duties of his pro- 
fession, is also engaged in outside interests and is 
Secretary and Treasurer of the Weigiiing-Truck 
Company. A self-made man, winning his own way 
upward. Judge Carpenter commands the confidence 
and high esteem of his fellow-townsmen and the 
general community' of Muskegon County. 



,,.. LBERT MEARS, a leading mercliant. ex- 
( ^/Jl ! tensive property-owner and oldest pio- 
/// li) ncer settler of Whitehall, was born near 
^ Boston, Mass., September 1.3, 1821, and 

was tlie youngest of the six children of Nathan 
and Lucy (Livingston) Jlears. The Mearses were 
well known in New England long before the War 
of Independence, and the father was a direct de- 
scendant of an old Portuguese family. Nathan 
Mears was a manufacturer and hotel-keeper of tiie 
old Bay State, and, li\ing witliin easy distance of 
Boston, was one of tlic wealthy men of liis local- 
ity. Lucy Livingston, the mother, was of remote 
English ancestry-, her forefathers having landed 
upon the shores of New England with other pas- 
sengers of the "Mavflower." Tlie parents of our 
subject both died while he was very 3'oung, and 
the family soon after scattered, the four brothers 
and one sister now living in Chicago. Albert 
went to live with the man appointed as his guard- 
ian and who looked after his interest in his 
father's large estate. Our subject, constantly in 
school, had at sixteen years received a liberal ed- 
ucation, and in 1837 came to Michigan, to which 
State his elder brothers liad preceded him. Ed- 
win Meare, an enterprising man, early journeyed 
to the West, and, thoroughly' patriotic, enlisted 



during the late Civil War, dying in the hospital at 
Quinc\', III., during his term of service. Charles 
Mears came to Michigan in the earlv '30s and 
located large tracts of land on White Lake and 
in different parts of the lake regions, in time be- 
coming one of the most extensive himbcrnien and 
Ijrominent merchants of the Wolverine State. He 
located and laid out the town of Whitehall, then 
named Mears in his honor. He made a fortune in 
his business, and is now and has been for many 
years a resident of No. 345 Ohio Street, Chicago. 

Nathan Mears was also one of tiie leading lum- 
bermen of Michigan and still controls large inter- 
ests in the State, also being a prominent Chicago 
ca]jitalist, residing at No. 87 Cass Street. He is 
yet in active business, but his son mainly manages 
his extended interests. Lucy Mears married .John 
Baldwin, a prosperous lumberman and heavy 
real-estate dealer, as well as a capitalist and 
money-loaner, of Chicago, where he died some 
years ago, leaving a large fortune. His widow- 
makes lier home at No. 3852 Lake Avenue, from 
1837 to 1852, our suliject continued in business in 
Whitehall, then called jMears, and in Paw Paw, be- 
ing thoroughl}' successful in iioth places. In 1843, 
Albert Clears and Miss Mary Helen 'I'urner were 
united in marriage. Mrs. Mears was born in Mex- 
ico, Oswego Count}-, N. Y.. May (>, 1824. Her 
father, Samuel Turner, horn in the Empire State 
January- St, 1798, passed away in Ue Witt, Mich., 
October 23, 1848. The Turners date their history 
in this country back to the landing of the Pilgrim 
Fathers, (irandfatlier .lolin Turner was a soldier 
in the Revolutionary War, and an uncle, Joseph 
Turner, was a soldier in the War of 1812. The 
father, Samuel Turner, w.as a wheelwright bj' 
trade and emigrated to Michigan in 1836, locat- 
ing in Paw Paw. Mrs. Mears' mother, in maiden- 
hood Miss Ann Griswold, was born in New York 
State February 17, 1798, and died in Sacramento, 
Cal., May 20, 1859. The Griswolds also date the 
arrival of their ancestors in this country from the 
landing of the "Mayflower." 

Mrs. Mears, who was the eldest of the family, 
had four brothers and one sister. Edward A. 
Turner was born July 16, 1827. He journeyed to 
California in 18.'i2. and died there .hily 15, 1860. 



PORTR^UT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



195 



Henry T. Turner, born August 14, 1829, died in 
infancy. Cliarles R., born April 8, 1831, went to 
California in lSo2, and there was lost siy:iit of. Ann 
Eliza, the sister, horn Keliniary o, 1835, died March 
10, 1844. Samuel F.. hnni.Iune 2.'), 1837, was a well- 
known miner of Nevada, and was killed hy the eav- 
in<^ in of his mine, July 17, 1K78. Jlr. and Mis. 
Mears, in company- with a large party, consisting of 
a number of families, among whom were the brother 
and mother of our subject, crossed the plains to 
California. After a three-months tiip they ar- 
rived at wiiat is now Placerville. Mr. .Mears, pos- 
sessing a modest foitune left him by his father's 
estate, engaged in mining and invested in other 
ventures on the Pacific Coast with unprofitable re- 
sults, and after leaving the larger part of his 
mone}' in the Golden State, returned to Michigan, 
via the Isthmus, and engaged in the mercantile 
business in AVhiteiiall. Since that time our sub- 
ject has been continuously prospered and during 
the |)almy days of the lumber business in ^Vhitehall 
rapidly' amassed a competence. After a time he 
gave the most of his attention to his mercantile 
interests, but has also continued in lumlieiing and 
various other enterprises. When Mr. Mears re- 
turned to Michigan in 1861, he began the hand- 
ling of merchandise in the store at the foot of the 
street, and has remained in that old landmark ever 
since. 

A public-spirited and energetic man, our sub- 
ject was an important factor in building up and 
extending the interests of Whitehall. Including 
the Mears Hotel and other valiialtle property, he 
owns a large amount of real estate in AVhitehall 
and the near vicinity of tlie village. Mr. Meais 
possesses one of the finest farms in the localitj' 
and has expended over *20,00(l upon its improve- 
ments. He finds much enjoyment in his beautiful 
twenty-acre lake, well stocked with fish. Our sub- 
ject was one of the founders of the bank in White- 
hall and was President and Vice-President of the 
bank, but for the past few years has simply been a 
stockholder and Director. Politically, Mr. Mears 
has been a Rei)ublican from the first day of that 
party's organization. He was the first Postm.astcr 
of Whitehall and has served with efficiency as 
Supervisor of the township, and as President of 



the Village Board faithfully aided in local prog- 
ress and needed improvements. Fraternally, our 
subject has for forty years been connected with 
the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and has 
been a representative in the Grand Lodge. He is 
admitted to be one of the best-posted Odd Fel- 
ows in the State, but is now demited. He is also 
prominently connected with the Ancient Free & 
Accei)ted Masons, being one of the most highly 
valued members of that ancient order. 

Mr. and Mrs. Mears were blessed by the birth 
of two children, both now deceased. George 
Albert, born January 27, 1849, died March 24, 
1850. Helen C, born October 4, 1852, attained to 
adult age au accomplished and attractive young 
lady. She married Dav id R. Hopkins, and bore him 
one child. Albert Mears Hopkins, who was born Oc- 
tober Ifi. 187r>,and died May 4, 1880. Mrs. Hopkins 
died March 4, 1H82. Bereaved of their children 
and grandchildren, our subject and his devoted 
wife received the sjinpathy of many true friends. 
.Mr. and Mrs. Mears upon January 2(;, 1892, cele- 
brated their golden wedding, the magnificent en- 
tertainment being given at the Mears Hotel. This 
social occasion was a notable event in Whitehall, 
and among the beautiful souvenirs presented to 
our subject was a solid gold-headed cane, hand- 
somely and fittingly engraved, and a valuable 
mementt) of the brilliant occasion. The host and 
hostess, who had for fifty years walked together 
side by side, received the hearty good wishes of 
a host of friends endeared by the association of 
many pleasant years. 



ARTIN V. PERLEY, who is foreman of 
the Hackley & Hume Lumber Company, 
of JIuskcgon, comes from the northeast 
corner of the Union, being a native of 
Cumberland County, Me. He was born July 23, 
1838, and on the paternal side is of English de- 
scent, while on the maternal side he is of Irish au- 




196 



PORTRAIT AJSTD BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



cestry. His grandfather, Abram Ferley, was born 
in the Pine Tree State, and liis father, George 
Perlcy, was also a native of Maine. The mother 
of our subject bore the maiden name of Hannah 
Low. She. too, wus born in Elaine and was a 
daughter of .Judge Low. 

We now take up tlie personal liistory of our 
subject, knowing that it will prove of interest to 
many of our readers, for he is widely and favor- 
ably known in iNIuskegon County. His boyhood 
days were quiet!}' passed in his native State, and 
at the age of twenty-one lie obtained a position in 
the counting-room in the commission house of 
his uncle, .Jonas II. Perley. The "West, howevei', 
furnislied attractions for the ambitious and enter- 
prising young man, and in August, 1862, he came 
to INIichigan, locating in Big Rapids. He formed 
a ijartnersliip witli Charles Merrill, Jonas Perlej' 
and Thomas W. Palmer, under the name of Perle^' 
& Co. This firm engaged in the lumber business 
and the connection was continued for ten years, 
wlien our subject sold Ins interest and purchased 
a sawmill, which he carried on for several years. 

In 1864 JIartin Perley was united in marriage 
witli Miss Ellen M. Ruddiman, daughter of George 
Ruddiman, one of the pioneer settlers of Muskegon. 
Tlieir union was blessed with a daughter, Mary 
Kllen, who resides with her father at No. 303 
AVestern Avenue. The mother was called to the 
home beyond in March, 1889. 

In 1868 Mr. Perley was appointed County 
Treasurer of Muskegon County for a term of two 
years, and so acceptably did he fill that oflice that 
lie was elected in 1870 for a term of two 3'ears. 
Oil leaving that position, he was employed for 
several 3ears with the firm of Buslinell, Wallace & 
Reed in the lumber business, after which he was 
superintendent of the shingle null of O. P. Pills- 
bury (fe Co. for two years. In 1882 he became fore- 
rnan of the Hackley & Hume Lumber Company, with 
wliich he has since been connected. Mr. Perley 
is ever faithful to the interests of his employers 
and can therefore alwa^'s command a good and 
paying position. He is alike true to every public 
and private trust, and his faithfulness and fidelity- 
have won him universal confidence and esteem. 

Our subject exercises his right of franchise in 



support of the men and measures of the Republi- 
can party. He takes considerable interest in Ma- 
sonry and is a member of Lowell Lodge No. 182, 
A. F. & A. M.; Muskegon Chapter Xo. 47, R. A. M.; 
and IMuskegon Commandery No. 22, K. T. Edu- 
cational, social and moral interests find in him a 
friend, and his support and co-o[ieration aie never 
withheld from any worthy enterprise. 



^ SAIAHGOODENOW. For more than a quarter 
J! of a century this gentleman has made iiis 
It, home upon tlie farm in Tallmadge Townsiiip 
where he still resides, and to the cultivation 
of which he devotes his attention. Upon coming 
to Ottawa County in 1866, he purcliascd one 
hundred and twenty acres, which he cleared and 
improved. As time passed bv he added to his 
property until lie became the owner of three hun- 
dred and ninety-three acres of fine land. He en- 
gages extensively in raising grain and also 
cultivates small fruits with considerable success. 

Born in Sandy Creek, N. Y., on the 1st of Ma}', 
1832, our subject is the son of Edward and Mary 
(James) Goodenow, natives respectivelj' of New 
York and Wales. When Isaiah was six months 
old, his parents removed to Erie Count}-, Pa., 
where the father followed agricultural operations 
until his demise, in 18.J2. Our subject was the 
third youngest child born to his parents, and in his 
boyhood was the recii)ient of such educational ad- 
vantages as were afforded by the common schools 
of Erie County. He was an observing lad, 
thoughtful and studious by nature, and availed 
himself to the utmost of ever}- opportunity of in- 
creasing his fund of information. Much of his 
time in youth was spent upon his father's farm, 
where he assisted in tilling the soil and garnering 
the grain. 

At the age of twenty years, bereaved by the death 
of his father, our subject started out upon his own 
responsibility. He proceeded to Illinois, and for 
eleven years followed farming pursuits in Will 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



197 



County, whence he leturned to Pennsylvania and 
sojounitd there for one year. Not lin(iing things 
there as lie had expected, he again sought a home 
in the West, and came to Michigan, making the 
overland journej- with a team. Arriving in 
Ottawa County in 1866, he settled upon one 
luindred and twenty acres where he now resides, 
and where, as above stated, lie engages extensively 
in raising fruit and grain. 

A very important event iu the life of Mr. 
Goodenow w.ns his marriage, which occurred in 
1858, uniting him with Miss Gertrude Niskern. 
Mr. and Mrs. (loodenow were the parents of the 
following-named children: Cora, who is at home; 
Warren K., who conducts farming pursuits in 
South Dakota; Frank, May, Florence, Walter and 
Charles, who reside wiiii their parents. Thej' oc- 
cupy positions of prominence in social circles, but 
are not identified with any religious organization, 
although Mrs. Goodenow was inclined toward the 
doctrines of the Lutheran Church during her life. 
She died .March 7, 1892. As every public-spirited 
citizen should, our subject Utkes an active interest 
in the welfare of his community and contributes 
to its material progress. In politics, he is a Dem- 
ocrat, and alwaj'S gives his support to the candi- 
dates of that p-jrty. Socially, he afHIiates with 
Berlin Lodge Xo. 218, A. F. & A. M. 



!)[IOMAS .1. G. BOLT, a progressive, public- 
^'(^S' spirited citizen of Moorland and one of 
«^^ Muskegon County's large laud-owners, w;is 
born in Devonshire, Kngland, April 16, 1848, be- 
ing the son of George W. and Jenuina (Guscolt) 
B(;U, natives of England. Ills father, who was a 
farmer by occupation, emigrated to America in 
1857, and after sojourning in New York C'ity 
about six months, he removed to Canada and set- 
tled near the cil}' of London. In 1858, having 
sold liis inteiests in Canada, he traveled exten- 
sively over the Western country with the view iif 
looking up a suitable location for a home. He fi- 



nally settled in Ottawa County, Mich., and there 
remained until death terjninaterl his career in 
1886. Ills wife, now eighty-three years of age 
(1893), resides on the old homestead in Ottawa 
County. 

Of eleven children, nine of whom are now liv- 
ing, the subject of this biographical notice is the 
eighth in order of birth. He comiileted his edu- 
cation at Belmont, Canada, and Giaiid Rapids, 
Mich., and at the age of twenty-one commenced to 
teach school, continuing thus engaged for a num- 
ber of years. He has taught twentj'-one successive 
winters in Kent, Ottawa and Muskegon Counties, 
and, being a good disciplinarian, as well as a man 
of broad culture and extensive information, he has 
achieved the highest success in his profession. 
Ills interest in educational matters has been deep 
and unflagging, and his influence has done much 
toward elevating the standard of education in this 
community. He has served as Township Super- 
intendent of Schools during the entire period of 
that ofHce, and has also been School Inspector for 
a number of years and School Commissioner for 
two years in Muskegon County. 

In 1875 Mr. Bolt was united in marriage with 
Miss Ola, daughterof Joseph and Harriet (Wyliss) 
Minnich, natives of Ohio. Three children were 
born of this union, Louis J., Ada F. and Lucius 
P., who are bright and intelligent, inheriting the 
studious qualities of their father. The daughter, 
at the age of eleven, received a first-grade teach- 
er's certificate at Muskegon, and the sons are also 
well-informed and studious. In polities a stanch 
Republican, Mr. Bolt has for a number of years 
been prominently connected with all the political 
affairs of the county, and has been chosen by his 
fellow-citizens to represent them in various local 
ollices of trust and res|)onsibility. His popularity 
is proved by the fact that he has rejiresented 
Moorland Township on the Board of Suiicrvisors 
of Muskegon County for a period of ten years, 
during nine of which he received every vote in 
the township. 

In regard to social connections, Mr. Bolt is 
identified with the .Masonic fraternity, the Inde- 
pendent Order of Odd Fellows, and for the past sev- 
enteen years has been a member of the Independent 



198 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Order of Good Templars. lie is the possessor of 
five luiiulred and lliirty-sevcn acres of farming 
land, the larger portion of vvhich is well improved. 
In addition to his landed possessions, he is the 
owner of the comfortable and substantial resi- 
dence he now occupies, and which he erected 
in 1892. His business career lias been such as to 
win for him the confidence of his associates, and, 
socially, his genial, generous disposition has won 
for him a host of warm friends. 



•^^E 



^^ 




ON. CHARLES L. BRL NDAGE. Few 
J' possessions are more valued and wished 
for than strength, but it is not generally 
considered that only through long, patient 
and continuous effort can it be attained. It is 
thought of rather as a happy accident, or a native 
gift to be passively grateful for, than as a natural 
ai.d certain result of toil and striving. liodil^' 
strength, for example, the infant gains through 
constant motion, the boy through active pla3', the 
man through toil and burden. This is equally 
manifest in moral and mental strength. The 
strong mind is one which has accumulated power 
through hard mental activity. Much earnest study, 
much effort of thought, have combined to give it 
that vigorous force and elasticity which to its 
possessor is so valuable a boon. We look with 
pleasure upon the man thus favored. We admire 
Ills clear thought, his sound judgment, his keen 
discrimination; we envy the ease with which he 
ditucts the points of an argument, or solves an in- 
tricate question, or applies a principle, but we do 
n(;t see, and seldom even imagine, what toil and 
jiatieucc may have been the source of his admired 
strength. The one whom all men honor for his 
virtue and integrity, to whom wrong-doing oflfers 
no attraction, and who performs each duty as it 
arises, apparently without effort, has not gained 
this power by treading paths of ease. The ob- 
stacles overcome, the trials which have been so 
bard to bear, have called forth the fortitude and 



heroism which are parts of every noljle nature. It 
has come to him through effort and sacrifice, and 
the more it has cost, the greater the reward. 

lion. Charles L. Brundage, present State Senator 
for the Twent3-third District of Michigan, com- 
posed of Muskegon and Ottawa Counties, is a na- 
tive of t!ie Empire State, born in Bath, Steuben 
County, in August, 1830. He is the son of Matth- 
ew Brundage and the grandson of Abram Brundage, 
who was of English descent. Matthew Brundage 
was a native of the State of New York, and was a 
farmer b^* occupation. He selected his wife in the 
person of Miss Almedia Knickbocker, also of New 
York, and of Dutch descent. The original of this 
notice was the second son in a famil}' of ten chil- 
dren born to his parents. He passed his 3-outh 
in Allegany Count3', N. Y., where he secured a 
fair education in the common schools, and in 1849 
attended Alfred Academ3-, afterward Alfred Uni- 
versity, from which institution he was graduated 
in 1854. Following this he entered the State 
Normal, at Alban3', N. Y., and was graduated in 
185.5. He then became Principal of the public 
schools of Angelica, N. Y., and was thus occupied 
for several years. In 1854 Capt. Brundage mar- 
ried Miss Frances A. Piatt, of Allegan3- County, 
N. Y., but a native of Connecticut, and the daugh- 
ter of .Joseph Piatt. Three children have been 
given them: Fred, a wholesale druggist in Muske- 
gon, Mich.; Lottie, at home; and Anna, wife of 
Edward Latimer, of Muskegon. In 1862 he en- 
listed in Compan3' G, One Hundred and Thirtieth 
New York Infantr3% under Col. Alfred Gibbs, and 
was assigned to the Army of the Potomac. On 
the organization of the regiment in 1862 he was 
commissioned First Lieutenant, and on the 9th of 
November of the same year he was commissioned 
Captain of his company. 

In 1863 the regiment was transferred to the cav- 
alry and became the First New York Dragoons. 
Our subject continued to serve until 1864, when 
he was discharged on a surgeon's certificate for 
disabilities received in theservices. Returning to 
New York, he was elected School Commissioner, a 
position he held for six years. In 1870 he was 
appointed railway postal clerk, running from 
Dunkiik to New York City, and held that posi- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



201 



tion for tliiee years. The yvni 1874 found liim 
located in Muskegon. Mich. , wlicre he embarked 
in the dnij;; trade, whidi he carries on at the pres- 
ent time. The stock is always full and complete, 
pure, fresh, and of standard quality, embracing 
ever^-lliing |jcrtaining to a tir.>t-class drug store. 
In his political views the Captain is a Republi- 
can, and iiis first Presidential vote was for Col. 
.John C. Fremont, in 1856. He takes a deep inter- 
est in local, State and national politics. In 1892 
he was elected State Senator, with a majority of 
eleven hundred and lliirty votes on tlic Hcpubli- 
can ticket, running about four hundred ahead of 
his ticket. Wliile in the Senate, he served on 
a number of important committees. He is a mem- 
ber of Muskegon Lodge No. '.12, I. (). (). F., and 
is also a member of I'liil Kearney Post No. 7, G. 
A. R.. being a delegate to the National Encamp- 
ment at Detroit. For two terms lie was a member 
of the Council of Administration of the Depart- 
ment of Michigan. He has a good, substantial 
residence at No. 80 Terrace Street. 



t,^r?=^EORGE F. OUTHWAITE, a leading citizt 
,— - of Muskegon, who entered into rest Fc 
1^1 ruary 3, 181);{, was for many years one > 



,,^=$EORGE F. OUTHWAITE, a leading citizen 

- - b- 

of 

the prominent lumbermen of the AVolverine State, 
ami iu'ld witli lidelity various responsible posi- 
tions of public trust. In 1H72 he was elected City 
Recorder of Muskegon, and later refused a second 
term. In the fall of 1873 he was appointed Coun- 
ty Sui)erintendent of the Poor, and served for 
thirteen years in that odicial capacity to the great 
satisfaction of the general public, who thorouglily 
appreciated iiis excellent judgment and executive 
ability. 

A native of the Wolverine State, our subject 
was born in Plymoutli, Wayne Cduiity, December 
28, 1836. His parents, John and .Mice (Plews) 
Outhwaile, natives of England, were numbered 
among the pioneer settlers of Michigan, locating 



in Wayne County when the greater portion of the 
State w.is yet a wilderness. George F. acquired a 
good education .as the result of his own exertions, 
and may be properl3'' termed a self-made man. 
He studied in the common and High Schools of 
Pl3-mouth, and later took a commercial course in 
the Chicago Business College. In the mean time, 
March 31, 1859, he had removed to Muskegon, 
and after completing his studies in Chicago, re- 
turned to that city. 

Mr. Outhwaitc began life for himself, working 
for his brother and John Torrent in a small shingle 
mill, where he remained in the capacity of an em- 
ploye until April, 1862. He then formed a part- 
nership with his brother, the firm being known as 
J. R. Outhwaite & Bio. He, however, in the fall 
of the same year sold out his interest to his broth- 
er, and engaged upon his own account in tlie lum- 
ber and shingle business, which lie prosperously 
conducted for a great many years. While hold- 
ing his otiicial positions, he continued in the lum- 
ber business, and gradually amassed a competence. 
He was a man of broad intelligence and liberal 
spirit, and as a citizen, energetic and enterprising, 
materially aided in tlie advancement of many of 
tiie vital interests of his home locality. Urm in 
his convictions of right and wrong, and decisive 
in action, he possessed sterling integrity of charac- 
ter, and commanded the esteem of all who knew 
him. He was i)olitieally a Republican and an 
ardent advocate of tlio party, giving his earnest 
efforts in l)phalf of the .success of tiie principles in 
which lie believed. Fraternal!}' a member of the 
Masonic order, he was a Knight Temi)hir, and had 
a host of friends in that organization. 

December 28, 1866, George F. Outhwaile and 
Miss Helen A. Reed were united in marriage. The 
estimable wife of Our subject is a native of Grand 
Rapids, Mich., and is a daughter of Ezra and Cath- 
erine (Storring) Reed, both natives of New York 
State, the father having been born in 1-itclilield, 
and the mother in the Mohawk Valley. Mr. Reed 
was one of the pioneers of (Jrand Rapids, Kent 
County, winch at the time of his settlement con- 
tained only five while families. The union of Mr. 
and Mrs. Outhwaite was blessed b^' the birth of a 
daughter, Blanche C, a ciiarming and accomplished 



202 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRATHICAL RECORD. 



young lady, who has been carefully educated, and 
is now a student in the University of ]Micliigan, 
where she is pursuing a special course. ^Ir. Outh- 
waite resides in a magnificent residence of modern 
architecture, containing the latest improvements. 
The surroundings are beautiful, and the location. 
No. 39 Peck Street, one of tlie finest in the city. 
Eight months have come and gone since George 
F. Outhwaite passed aw.iy, but his memory as a 
sincere friend anil true citizen will long live in 
the hearts of the many who knew and loved him. 



ciiJLr=i 



'a,*^^^' 



I/, ^^ENRY MILLER, an able business man, lead- 
ing hardware merchant and successful gen- 
/.■^i^ eral farmer, desirabl.y located in Chester 
/J Township, Ottawa County, Mich., is a na- 
tive of Wurtemberg. Germany, and was born Jan- 
uary' 29, 1834. He is the son of Ciiristian and 
Barbara JNIiller, his mother having passed away in 
the Fatherland in 1849. Tlie father married again 
in 1852 or 1853, wedding Miss Sophie Kober, 
also a native of Germany, with whom he emi- 
grated to the L'nited States in 1874. locating in 
Ottawa County, Mich., wiiere he died in 1881, at 
the advanced age of eighty ^ears. His last wife is 
yet surviving. By his marriage to the mother of 
our subject, Christian Miller became tlie father of 
four children: Michael, of Ottawa County; Henry; 
Fred, residing in Ottawa County; and Frederica, 
wife of Fred Ata, of tiiis county. By his second 
marriage the father iiad Ihiee cliildren: Barbara, 
wife of John .Seliler.of Grand Ra|)ids; Kegina, wife 
of Benjamin AVildeinbuig. of Cliester Township; 
and Christiana, widow of Robert Bauer, of Grand 
Rapids. 

Henry Miller received his education in the pub- 
lic schools of Germany and was but fourteen jears 
old wiien he began the work of life. He remained 
Willi his fatlier, who was by occupation a farmer 
and nail-maker, until twenty years of age, and in 
1854 emigrated to America. Landing in Buffalo, 
N. Y., with twelve shillings in his pocket, our sub- 



ject laboriously worked six months to pay his 
board, and meantime studied ambitiously at home 
to learn the English language. In 1855, leaving 
Buffalo for the farther West, Mr. Miller journeyed 
to Grand Rapids, where, March 6, he was met by 
his brother Michael, who had preceded him to 
America by two 3'ears. For six continuous years 
our subject worked in Grand Rapids, doing heavy 
teaming, hauling wood and stone. He had reached 
there >;25 in debt but by patient toil had in 1860 
amassed a small capital. At this period of time 
October 10, 1860, he removed to Chester 'I'ownship, 
and located upon section 27, when this part of the 
country was almost entirely covered with a heavy 
growth of timber. Purchasing eighty acres of land, 
for which he paid -§650, almost his total savings, 
Mr. Miller erected a log house, in which he lived 
for some j-ears. 

When his wife, Mrs. Catherine (Fluhrer) Miller, 
with whom he was united in marriage in 1857, first 
saw her new home she wept, and our subject admits 
it must have looked a little cheerless to her, com- 
ing as she did from the city. As time passed on, 
however, the appearance of the farm and its sur- 
roundings rapidlv changed. The timber, yielding 
to the steady strokes of the axe, gave cleared and 
fertile land, which, yielding to high cultivation, 
annually furnished a bounteous harvest and build- 
ings large and comfortable arose, residence, barns 
and sheds. 

Financially prospered, Mr. Miller now owns over 
one hundred and seventeen valuable acres, ninety- 
five acres of which are finely cultivated. He has 
also given to his children about one hundred acres 
of excellent land. In 1884, our subject went to 
Coopersville and engaged in farming for three 
years, and in 1888 returned to Conklin, w'here he 
erected the first store building in the village, and 
opened it to the public with a well-selected stock 
of farming implements. Succeeding beyond his 
expectations, he built in 1889 his present spacious 
store, 25x80 feet in size, constructed of brick, two 
stories in height, finely finished in modern style, 
and which cost 13,000. As soon as tiie build- 
ing was completed Jlr. Jliller stocked with a 
variet}' of farming implements and added a large 
line of hardware. Commencing business with a 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



203 



modest capital, he now carries a complete stock of 
goods, valued at from !!!7,()00 to » 10,000, and tran- 
sacts a business of from #lo,00() to %!25,000 annu- 
ally, with case supplying the increasing demands 
of one of the best trades in liiis part of the county. 
The estimable wife of our subject was a native 
of Germany and was the daughter of Mr. and 
Mrs. John l-Mulirer. The pleasant home has been 
blessed by the birth of seven children: Elizabeth, 
tlie wile of Christian Diiikle, of Chester Town- 
ship; .Sophia, the wife of Henry Weldenberg, of 
Wright Township; George JI., .Jr.; Christian, de- 
ceased; Margaret IJ.; Henry, deceased; and Anna 
15.. who comi)letes the list of sons and daughters. 
Mr. and Mr*. Miller are both valued members of 
the Lutheran Church and active in religious work. 
Our subject is, poUticall}^ a strong Democrat and 
has been a member of the Democratic County 
Convention. He wa,-, appointed in lf(86 by Pres- 
ident Cleveland the first Postmaster of the vil- 
lage of Conklin; for eleven consecutive years he 
ably discharged the duties of Township Treasurer, 
and for four years served faithfully as Highway 
Commissioner. In 1893, re-elected Township Treas- 
urer, Mr. Miller is now with great acceptability 
holding the position of trust assigned him by his 
fellow-townsmen, who repose in liirn the highest 
confidence as a friend, neighbor and citizen. 



-^ 



/^OLON C. LII.I.IK, Presidentof the Coopers- 
ville Creaiiicry Company, and a successful 
agriculturist of Tallinadge Township, Ot- 
tawa County, was born in this township January 
G, 18G(I. His father, Joel H. Lillie, was born in St. 
Lawrence County, N. Y.. and emigrated to Michi- 
gan soon after attaining his majority. Here he 
engaged in lumbering and worked in various places 
until he pui-chascd the land upon which our sub- 
ject now resides. To the improvement and culti- 
vation of this place he gave his attention until the 
death of his wife in 1883, when he removed to 
Coopersvillc, and made his home in that vill.age 



until his death, September 19, 1893. He was a man 
of wealth, and was the owner of a large brick and 
tile factory at Coopersvillc. 

The mother of our subject was Sarah, daughter 
of Araraon and Ann is Augur, who for many years 
resided in the State of New York, but afterward 
came to Jlichigan. Colon C. Augur, the uncle 
after whom our subject was named, is now on the 
list of retiied army ofllcers. To the marriage of 
Joel and Sarah Lillie there were born five children, 
two sons and three daughters. Edith S. married 
John M. Park and now resides in AVright Township, 
Ottawa County; Walter married Ella McGrathand 
makes his home in Grand Haven, this .State; the 
third in order of birth is the subject of this notice; 
Emma E., who is unmarried, is a teacher in Cali- 
fornia; and Annis M., who is the wife of William 
E. Baxter, lives in T^os Angeles, Cal. 

In his 3'outh our subject received ordinary com- 
mon-school advantages. At, the age of twenty-one 
he entered the Michigan Agricultural College at 
Lansing, where he remained for four years, receiv- 
ing the degree of Bachelor of Science, and gaining 
a practical education in farming. Eor four years 
he filled the position of Princi|)al of the Cooperi?- 
viUe schools, resigning it in order to accept the of- 
fice of Commissioner of the county. He is the 
founder and President of the Coopeisville C.-eani- 
ery Company, a nourishing enterprise which is 
established on a paying basis. At the present time 
he conducts the dairy dei)artinent of the I'rartlcul 
Farmer & Fniit Grower, a popular agricultural pa- 
per published at (!rand Rapids. 

A Rcpulilican in [xjlitics, Mr. Lillie has repre- 
sented Tallinadge Township upon llic County 
Board of .Supervisors, and has also ollicialed .as 
County .School Commissioner. While Secretary of 
the County Board, he introdiKid the graded sys- 
tem into the sciiuols of the county, and as a result 
of ids efforts the slandaid of education has been 
greatly advanced. In his social connections, he is 
identified with the Knights of the Maccabees and 
Coopersvillc Lodge, A. F. it A. M. His mar- 
riage occurred on the 2Gth of .lunc, I8'.M), .and 
united him with Miss Julia .\. Lawtoii, a daugh- 
ter of Albert ancl Mary \. (Lofliis) Lawton. 
The young couple reside upon the old Lillie home- 



204 



POjciTRAlT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



stead, where Mr. Lillie cultivates two liunclred and 
forty acres of the finest kind in Ottawa Count}'. 
Everything on liis place is of modern imjirovement, 
and he raises large crops of wheat, corn, oats and 
h.ay. 



ANIICL M. ANGELL. Through the ener- 
getic prosecution of agricultural enterprises, 
Mr. Angell has become well known tlirough- 
out Ottawa Countv .as a successful farmer of Tall- 
madge Township. His farm ranks with the best 
in the county, and consists of one liundred and 
twenty acres, upon which lias been placc(i a sub- 
stanti.nl set of improvements, including a commo- 
dious house and a number of outbuildings for the 
storage of machinery and the shelter of stock. 
The outward career of Daniel M. Angell can 
scarcely be called an eventful one. Averse to all 
display, he has souglit neither distinction nor 
power, but in the rural home, surrounded by those 
he loves, he lives in comfort and serene content. 
Bom in Clinton County, N. Y., February 11, 
1831, our subject is the second child in the family 
of Daniel and Olive (Wheeler) Angell, natives of 
New York. At the age of five years he accom- 
panied his jiarents to Michigan, and settled in what 
is now Tallmadge Township, Ottawa County, where 
he grew to manhood. His entire educational ad- 
vantages consisted of a short attendance at the 
common schools of Lamont, this county, and one 
term spent in a select school. However, through 
diligent effort, he has gained a good education, and 
may justly be termed a self-made man. 

Remaining with his father until he reached the 
age of twenty-three, our subject then embarked in 
fanning upon his own account, and for nine years 
pursued his chosen occupation on the south side of 
Grand Hivcr. Later he returned to the old home- 
stead, and upon the death of his father in 1876 he 
assumed the management of the place, where he 
still m.akes his home, lie carries on general farm- 
ing, and raises wheat, corn, potatoes and small 
fruits. He has received little assistance from others, 



and his success is due largely to his unaided exer- 
tions. He is a man of keen discrimination, fore- 
sight and energy, and displays excellent judgment 
in the management of his estate. 

The lady who, on the 2d of September, 1854, be- 
came the wife of Mr. Angell was formerly Miss 
Cecelia Blakeney, and was born in New York, be- 
ing the daughter of William and Susan (Powers) 
Blakenej', of Vermont. To this marriage there 
were born eight children, live of whom are 
still living, namely: Daniel M., who makes his 
home with his parents; Frances, Jlerton P.,Velvia 
C. and Moses R., all of whom are still at home. 
In religious connections, both Mr. Angell and his 
estimable wife are identified with the Methodist 
Episcopal Church, of which he is the present Stew- 
ard and one of the Trustees. Politically, he is a 
Prohibitionist, and votes the ticket of his chosen 
part}' at every election. He has served as Road- 
master and in other [lositions where his energ}' and 
ability have been instrumental in advancing the 
interests of the township and county. 






■^AMES HUTCHINSON, a leading business 
man of Michigan, an energetic and popular 
,-^ i manufacturer of buggies, spring wagons, 
^^j/' carriages, package and delivery w.agons, has 
for twenty-four years been a prominent citizen of 
]\Iuskegon, where his well-known factory — enjoy- 
ing a large trade — annually supplies to the general 
public some of the finest specimens of vehicles 
ever used in road transportation. Our subject, a 
native of Canada, was born in Perth, Ontario, 
.luiie 17, 1844. His father, James Hutchinson, Sr., 
likewise a native of the Queen's dominions, was 
reared and educated in Canada and, arriving at 
man's estate, married the mother of our subject, 
Ellison Easton, also born in Canada and the 
daughter of an old and highly respected famil}', 
the descendants of a long line of honored English 
ancestry. Our subject enjoyed excellent educa- 
tional advantages, and attended school near Lon- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPIUCAL RECORD. 



205 



don, Canada, in wliich locality lie passed the days 
of boyhood. He early began his preparation for a 
self-reliant and seir-sustainiiin; future by serving 
an apprenticeship to the trade of a blacksmith, and 
arrived at twenty-one years of age well litled to 
begin the battle of life for himself. 

In 1869, removing to the United Slates, Mr. 
Hutchinson journe^-ed to Muskegon, Mich., which 
city has since been his constant home. For a 
number of years he was variously emjiloyed, work- 
ing mainly in lines of business connected with his 
trade, liut finally, having some capital in money 
and a vast amount of enterprise, he embarked in 
his present manufacturing interests upon his own 
account. Begiiiiiiiig in a comparatively small way, 
our subject has with ability and unwearied devo- 
tion to business extended the facilities of his fac- 
tory, which is now equal to the demands of a large 
and rapidly increasing custom; and the public by 
its patronage eloquently testifies to its satisfaction 
with the material and workmanship of the superior 
product of buggies and wagons which year after 
3'ear successfully compete with those turned out 
by longer established and more pretentious houses. 
As a manufacturer, Mr. Hutchinson has achieved 
an enviable reputation and in the general conduct 
of his business has won the confidence of the pub- 
lic. His trade is not local but takes in a large 
territory, and the business, from the first an assured 
success, has in the past sixteen years developed 
into proportions far exceeding early expectations. 

In January, 1873, in Whitehall, Muskegon 
County, Mich., were united in marriage .lames 
Hutchinson and Miss Abbie Doolan, a native of 
Vermont and a daughter of James Doolan, a highly 
respected resident of the (ireen Mountain .State. 
The union of our subject and his estimable wife 
has been blessed by the birth of a bright and in- 
telligent family. ICIla E., the eldest-born and only 
daughter, an .accomplished young lady, is at hojnc. 
The three youngest, William, Krank and John, are 
likewise with their parents, who reside in a beauti- 
ful residence, modern in architecture, convenient 
in design, and containing all the latest improve- 
ments. The handsome frame house located at No. 
10 East Ionia Street is the abode of hospitality 
and witnesses the social gatherings of many friends. 



Our subject is fraternally a valued member of 
Muskegon Lodge Xo. 140, A. F. & A. M., and is 
likewise connected with the Foresters. Politic- 
ally a Hcpublican and interested in local and na- 
tional government, he is not in any sense of the 
word a politician, but, doing his duty at the polls 
and assisting in matters of local enterprise, is ac- 
counted a substantial citizen and man of public 
sijirit. 



RHIN I). BLiVXCIIAHD. a prosperous and 
well-known merchant of Casenovia, and for 
man J' years a prominent educator of Muske- 
gon County, was biirn in the town of Harre, Or- 
leans County, N. Y., March 17. 1844, being a son 
of Chandler and Lucj- (Lindley) lilanchard. His 
paternal giaiidfather, Nehemiali lilanchard, was 
the son of Jeremiaii, who belonged to a famous 
Huguenot family, of French origin. Grandfather 
Blanchard was born in New Hampshire, and was a 
soldier in the War of 1812. By trade a shoemaker, 
and 1)3' occupation a farmer, he was thus engaged 
in Monroe County, N. Y., and later in Oenesee 
County-, the same State. His death occurred in 
Murray, Orleans County, N. Y., September 13, 
1848, at the age f)f sevent3--four. 

Grandfather Blanchard and his good wife, whose 
maiden nanie was Sarah Densmore, were the par- 
ents of twelve children whoattaincd mature \'ears, 
namely: Cummings, Chandler, Ilarbaid, AVillard, 
Julia .v., Livonia, Lewis, AInian, William, Dens- 
more, Orrin and Ira. Chandler lilanchard, father 
of our subject, was born in New Hampshire, Sep- 
tember 19, 1800, and .accompanied his father to 
New York. From Orleans County- he removed to 
Michigan, and settled in Livingston County about 
1840. After his marriage, which took place in 
Plymouth, Wayne County, he returned to the Em- 
pire Slate, where he departed this life .August 23, 
18.59. In politics, he was lirsl a Whig, and after- 
ward a Re|)ublican. In religious matters, he was 
idcnlilied with the .Mi'thodist Episcopal Church. 



206 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Tlie mother of our subject was born near L^'ons, 

N. Y., in 1819, and died February 15, 18G1. She 
bad a familj' of five children: Orrin D., of this 
sketch; Wesley, who enlisted as a private in Com- 
pany E, One Hundred and Forty-seventh New 
York Infantry, and died on David's Island, Octo- 
ber 18, 18G4; Rosetta E., Nancy A. and Lelia C. 
Orrin D. received a district-school education, and 
at the age of twelve began to be self-supporting. 
May 14, 18G1, he enlisted in Com])aiiy K.Twent3-- 
sevcnth New Y'ork Infantry, and with his regi- 
ment participated in the first battle of Bull Run, 
Gaines' Mill, and ^Vest Point, A'a. Being captured 
at Gaines' Mill, he was imprisoned for forty-two 
days u|)on Belle Isle, in the James River. Later he 
took part in tlie engagements at Antietani, Fred- 
ericksburg, and in minor skirmishes. At the ex- 
piration of his term of service he was discharged, 
on the 1st of June, 1863. 

In the fall of 18G3, Mr. Blanchard went to Shia- 
wassee County, Mich., where he attended school 
during the following winter. February 14, 1864, 
lie enlisted as a member of Comiiany L, Second 
New York INIounted Riflemen, and while in Wash- 
ington w-as afflicted with rheumatism. He was 
taken to a hospital near Washington, where he 
remained for a short lime. lie rejoined his regi- 
ment on the 18th of June, at Petersburg, and 
participated in all the engagements of the armv 
until the battle of Stony Creek, where he was 
wounded in the right hand and the right temple. 
For a time he was confined in Jit. I'leasant Hospi- 
tal at Washington, and upon rejoining his regi- 
ment continued in active service until his dis- 
charge at Buffalo, August 25, 1865. 

Coming to Michigan in the fall of 1865, Mr. 
Blanchard attended school during the following 
winter. He taught his first term of school in Ing- 
ham County, this State. In the spring of 1868 he 
went to Lisbon, where he worked on a farm dur- 
ing the summer, and in the fall of the same year 
accc|)ted the principalship of a school in Casenovia 
Townslrip. In 1878 he taught one term in Wilson 
County, Tenn., whither he went, hoping that the 
change of climate might liencfit his wife's health. 
Altogether lie has taught thirty-five terms. For a 
number of years during the summer season he 



worked at the trade of a mason, and for seven 

years had a meat-market in Casenovia. In April, 
J893, he emiiarked in the mercantile business un- 
der the firm name of O. D. Blanchard & Co., and 
is conducting a large and lucrative trade. 

A Republican in politics, Mr. Blanchard has 
served as Justice of the Peace and as Superinten- 
dent of Schools. In his social relations he is 
identified with the Independent Order of Odd 
Fellows and the Masonic fraternity. He was first 
married to Miss Betsey Johnson, a native of Mich- 
igan, and two children were born of the union, 
Ernest C. and Bessie JM. Mrs. Blanchard died 
April 13, 1879, at the age of thirty-four. The 
second marriage of Mr. Blanchard united him 
with Miss Ella A., daughter of Henry Bridsjer, of 
Shiawassee County, Jlich. Mrs. Ella Blanchard 
died JIarch 5, 1884, and afterward our subject 
married Jlrs. Mary Pcckliam, who was born in 
Norway; her first husband was Henry Peckham, 
by whom she became the mother of one child, Car- 
rie. She is a lady who occupies a high place in 
the regard of the people of this community, and 
her position is among the most cultured and re- 
fined of Casenovia's residents. 



^ 



i^ 



\ ^v HILIP FAIILING, an enterprising and suc- 
! ))/ cessful general agriculturist, and son of the 
I f^ first German settler of Chester Township, Ot- 
I J, tawa County, Mich., was liorn March 2, 1853, 
on the farm where he now resides, and is the onl}- 
son of Philip and i;iizal)eth Faliling, both natives of 
Germany. The parents were married in the Old 
Country, but soon after emigrating to America 
located in Ohio, where they remained three years. 
From the Buckeye State journeying to the farther 
West witli oxen, they came to Michigan, fording 
and swimming rivers on the way. Arriving in 
the Wolverine State in 1844, they two years later, 
in 1816, entered from the Government the farm of 
one hundred and sixty acres iiiion wliich they 
now live. The hind was llicn heavily limbeied, 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



207 



but, persistently worked upon, has been brought 
under a hig!i slate of cultivation, and to the orig- 
inal acres have since been added otiicrs, until the 
lioniestead now contains two hundred and eighty 
acres of valuable land, improved with buildings 
of a superior character, commodious, <if modern 
architecture and liiiely arranged. When the par- 
ents located in Michigan the father had $300 and 
the wife $140, money which they had made in 
Ohio. The father, working on a farm for $10 per 
month, had saved it all, and now, with Conrad 
Kritzcr, made the first settlement in Chester Town- 
ship. The first white child born in the township 
%vas the eldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Philip 
Fahling. Margaret, now Mrs. Klink, of Alpine 
Township, Kent County. 

When the Fahlings located in Chester Township 
they were obliged to do all their trading in Grand 
Haplds, and as they had no horses the grist was 
brought upon their backs all the way home, there 
being no roads over wiiich their oxen might have 
hauled the stufi". Their nearest neighbor was .John 
Coffee, five miles south from their place. Desiring 
to fill their beds with straw, the}' were obliged to 
transport the same a long distance on their backs. 
The first shanty erected by Mr. Fahling Jlr. Kritzer 
assisted in putting up, as did also Adam Laeh- 
man, a young man who had accompanied them 
from Ohio. It was buill in tiirec days, no nails 
being used m the construction, with the exception 
of a few in the door. Mr. Fuhling and Mr. Kritzer 
with their families lived together three months, 
and then Mr. Kritzer built a similar house for his 
family. These early pioneers, enduring sacrifices 
and great privations, toiled unceasingly that their 
children might in the days to coine reap the bene- 
fit. The father through incessant toil contracted 
consumption, and at the early age of forty-live 
3'ears passed away, in IHliO, leaving a widow and 
five children to mourn his loss. Two little ones 
had preceded him to the better land. Margaret, 
Mrs. Klink, is the eidest-born; Klizabeth is the wife 
of Chris Peters, of Casenovia Township, Muskegon 
Count}-; I'hilip is our subject; Christiana, deceased, 
was the wife of Fred Risler, of Chester Township; 
and Mary, deceased, wius the wife of .John Mortz, 
of Big Ra|)ids. The mother, married in 18G2 to 



Henry Ritz, resides in Sparta Township, KenX 
County, and by her second husband has one son, 
John, a citizen of Sparta Township. 

Our subject was educated in the free and Lu- 
theran schools of his home neighborhood, both his 
parents being of the Lutheran denomination. 
Reared to farming life and work, he was but eight 
years of age at the time of his father's death, and 
continued to live with his mother and stei)father 
until mature age, upon his twenty-first birthdav 
purchasing one hundred and four acres of the old 
homestead on which he was reared. 

Upon December 31, 1881, at the age of twenty- 
eight years, Philip Fahling married Christina Uls- 
ter, a native of New York and a daughter of Jacob 
Rister, who in the early ilays came to .Michigan 
and here prosperously engaged in farming. Unto 
our subject and his estimable wife have been born 
three children: IMary, Philip, .Ir.. and Charley. Mr. 
and Mrs. Fahling are both valued members of the 
Uutheran Church and are active aids in good work. 
Politically, our subject, as was his father before 
him, is a strong Democrat and an ardent advocate 
of "the Party of the People." Financially blessed 
with an abundance of this world's goods, Jlr. 
Fahling is ranked among the energetic and ambi- 
tious agriculturists of Ottawa County, and is rec- 
ognized as a leading man of public si)irit, ever 
ready to do his full share in all matters of mutual 
welfare and enter[)rise. 






"SE 



=^' 



/^URTI.S PINTLEH, one of the oldest and 
III most highly respected settlers, a prominent 

^^Jf^ horticulturist, and successful stock-i-aiser 
of Chester Townshii), Ottawa County, Alich., was 
born on the homestead where he now resides, No- 
vember 3, It' 17. He was the only son of John and 
.Mary (Shaw) Pintler, natives of Orleans County, 
N. Y. The father and mother were married in the 
Empire State and emigrated to .Michigan in 181;'», 
journeying by w.ay of Detroit and thence to 
Marshall. Arriving in Ottawa County they made 



208 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



their permanent home in Chester Township, upon 
the old farm where our subject passed the days of 
ciiildhood and lias since continued to live. Bu3'- 
ing a yoke of oxen for ^35, a wagon for $8, and a 
cow for ?il2, they hauled their few liousehold ef- 
fects through the woods over a blazed road never 
before crossed b}' a wagon. The father was obliged 
to take his axe and cut the brush before the oxen 
as they advanced, while the mother did the driv- 
ing. Locating in 184.5, .John Pintler erected a 
shantj' the latter part of the year, and upon .Tanu- 
ary 3, 1846, moved into it. The new home, 10x16 
feet, was built niosth* of poles, such as the father 
could elevate from the ground, and in this primi- 
tive residence the husband and wife lived until a 
small clearing could be made and a more commodi- 
ous and substantial house erected. In 1847 a 
large and comfortable log house was built, which 
became widel3' known as a convenient stopping- 
place for many years between Grand Rapids and 
Muskegon. 

In 1846 Samuel Free and John Brooks, of Ne- 
waygo, started from this place to(Jrand Rapids and 
Newaygo to survey for n much-needed public road 
between these jioints. The road ran by the fa- 
ther's homestead and he assisted in blazing the 
trees and cutting down underbrush and laying the 
trail for the more advanced work to follow. This 
road is now known as the Grand Rapids and Ne- 
waygo State Road. For three years the i)arents 
kept a tavern, or half-way house, and in the fourth 
year after the road was opened to travel a man, 
Lot Fulkerson, opened a tavern where Casenovia 
stands. In the mean time the father was engaged 
in the cultivation and geneial improvement of his 
farm, which was constantly growing in value. He 
l)urcliased the land warrant from a soldier in De- 
troit for *33 and first located eighiy acres, af- 
terward adding forty acres, and fifty-seven acres 
he cleared prior to his death, [)lanting out an 
apple orchard, which now yields abundantly. In 
1847 the first i)osloHice of the townslii|) was estab- 
lished and John Pintler became Po>tmaster, the 
ollice being called Pintler's Corners, the name by 
which llic Ideality was known for many years. 
Lawrence Maiig carried the mail for one year on 
foot from Grand Rapids to Newaygo. The next 



contract as carrier was given to Benjamin Wright, 
who took the pouch of mail on horseback. The 
first stage-coach passing Pintler's Corners was 
driven in 1855, and carried the mail, the contract 
then being held b3' Mr. MoLinothan. Soon the 
passenger traffic began to improve and the hotel 
business boomed. 

In 1863 the present attractive and roomy resi- 
dence in which our sul)ject now resides was erected, 
and on moving into this house the Pintlers ceased 
to keep a tavern. During the latter part of 1848 
Lorenzo Chubb mo'ved into " Pintler's Corners," 
the old place, and there kept hotel, the former in- 
terest of the business, held b}' the father of our 
subject, then being turned over to the neivcomer. 
During these changing seasons the father occu|iicd 
a position of im|)ortance and for twelve continu- 
ous years served ably as Justice of the Peace, and 
aside from various other township offices was for 
several years an efficient Supervisor. In every 
oflBce with which he was honored John Pintler dis- 
charged the public duties thereto pertaining with 
the faithful ability which characterized his eveiy 
work in life. A sincere Clinsliaii man and an up- 
right citizen, the father was a member of the Close- 
Communion Baptist Church and ever threw his 
influence upon the side of truth and justice. The 
three children who made bright tiie home in the 
woods were Lucy A., deceased; Curtis; and Ellen 
J., deceased, who became the wife of Wdrtliington 
Moe, a native of Middleville, Mich. Tlie father 
passed aw.aj' November 6, 1866, at f()rt\-nine years 
of age, beloved and honored by all who knew him. 
The mother, a devout member of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church, survived until 1879, and en- 
tered into rest at sixty-four years of age. 

Our subject was educated in the common schools 
of the towiishi[i and also received instruction in 
Grand Rapids. At the age of twenty years return- 
ing to the homestead he took charge of the farm. 
]\Ir. Pintler was heir to a half-interest in the 
homestead, and now owns thirty-eight acres of the 
old farm, thirty-six of his acres being devoted to 
fruit-culture; seven acres are in ap|)les; twenty in 
peaches; one and a-half in plums; one in pears; 
one in grapes; and one in quinces. Our subject 
has also two hundred cherry-trees, a flourish- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPinCAL RECORDi 



211 



ing vine3\ird of four hundred grape-vines and a 
large quantity and variety of small fruit, which 
annually yield a handsome income. Mr. Pintler 
has no general agricultural interests Init is a stock- 
raiser, profitably handling the Ihunhletonian and 
Clay breeds of horses. lie also has high-grade cat- 
tle, thi-ec-fourths Jersey. 

In 18G8 Curtis Pintler and Carrie JI., daughter 
of J. J. and Lj'dia (Shackelton) Smith, natives 
of England, were married. Mr. and Mrs. Smith 
were wedded in Canada, and in Woodstock the 
estimable wife of our subject was born. In 1863 
Mr. Smith with his familj' removed to the United 
States and. a tanner and harness-maker, erected tlie 
first tannery built in Lamont, Ottawa County. 
He worked for some years in Grand Rapids, where 
he was widely known and highly respected. He 
died in 1883, at the age of seventj'-three, his wife 
having died the previous year, 1882, aged sixty- 
three. The\- were both devoted Christian people 
and members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. 

Tiie nine children who clustered about the fam- 
ily hearth of Mr. and Mrs. Smith were in the or- 
der of their birtli: Elizabeth, wife of J. J. Nelland, 
of Grand Rapids; James H., a citizen of Muskegon; 
Cordelia, wife of F. W. Cook, of Eau Claire, Wis.; 
■William J., re.'^iding in St. Johns; II. W., of Cali- 
fornia; Carrie M., Mrs. Pintler; Maggie JI., wife of 
Dan ^liller, of Alpine To\vnsliip; Lydia M., wife 
of M. Rich, of St. Paul; and Florence A., wife of 
Rev. H. O. Lawrence, of Wells, Iowa. Mr. and Mrs. 
I'intler have been blessed by the birth of five 
intelligent and attractive children: Everett J., 
Minnie M., J\ina M., George W. and Alela. Mrs. 
Pintler and the thiee daughters are members of 
the Methodist Episcopal Church and are active in 
the religious, social and benevolent work of their 
denomination. Mrs. Pintler is likewise a valued 
member of the Woman's Christian Temperance 
Union and is for the second year Treasurer of the 
local association, keeping the records and being the 
County Superintendent of Franchise. The accom- 
plished wife of our subject is well known as a lady 
of superior executive ability and lino business at- 
tainments. Mr. Pintler is fraternally' associated 
with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows No. 
291, Industry Lodge, and Mt. Iloreb Encampment, 
10 



now located at Casenovia. Without being in any 
sense of the word a politician, our subject takes a 
deep interest in botli local and national issues and 
is esteemed a man of broad views and liberal senti- 
ment in all matters peitaining to the general wel- 
fare. 



-^^ 



^jj^DWARD BEHRENS, one of the leading 
business men of Sluskegon, is connected 
with C. D. Stevens as proprietor of the 
Muskegon Boiler Works. He well deserves rep- 
resentation in this volume, for he is an enterpris- 
ing and public-spirited man, and it is with pleas- 
ure that we present to our readers this record of 
his life. He was born in New York City, on the 
18tli of December, 1847, and is a son of William 
and Willimcna (Steinford) Behrens, who were 
natives of Germany. The father was a cabinet- 
maker, and in early life emigrated to New York 
City. His death occurred in 1854. 

Our subject remained in his native city until 
after the death of his father, when he came AVest to 
Chicago, and was there educated. He lived for a 
time with P. W. Gates, of that city, and then with 
Thomas Turnbull, of Muskegon. In the spring of 
1865, he came to this city, and w.as employed in the 
shops of Mr. Turnbull for some time. In 1878, 
he formed a partnersiiip with Joseph Turnbull and 
Charles E. Woodward, and established the Turn- 
bull Boiler Works. This connection was continued 
for five years, when the business changed hands. 
In the fall of 1889, Mr. Behrens went to Hliiiie- 
lander, Wis., and there built a sawmill, which he 
operated for a year. 

In 1869, our subject married Miss Annie Af. 
Peterson, a native of Canada, and a daughter of 
George M. and Susan (Emory) Peterson, the former 
born in Ontario, Canada, and the latter in New 
York. When their daughter was a maiden of 
thirteen summers they came to Muskegon, where 
the father died May 12, 1875, at the age of lift}-- 
one years. Mrs. Behrens was educated in the 
schools of Canada and in Michigan, By her mar- 



212 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



riage she has lieeomc the mother of three sons and 
two daughters: William Edward, a farmer; Emma 
J., Edna Blanche, Clyde AVcsley, and Steinford, 
now deceased. 

On his return to Muskegon in 1890, Mr. Behrens 
formed a partnership with CD. Stevens and estab- 
lished the Muskegon Boiler Works. They manu- 
facture steam-boilers, stand-pipes, etc., and are 
enjoying an extensive trade, wliicii h.as constantly 
increased from the beginning, large orders coming 
from the West and .South. They employ some 
twenty-five men. Their main building is 50x100 
feet, and to it they have added a wing thirty-five 
feet square. They are now building a brick office 
near the shcjps. The}' also do rolling-mill work. 
This industry occupies a leading place among the 
enterprises of the city. 

Mr. Behrens also owns one hundred and sixty 
acres of good land in Moorland Township, Mus- 
kegon Count}', of which one hundred acres are 
under cultivation, and he has four hundred sugar- 
ma|)le trees. He makes a specialty of fruit-rais- 
ing, having a large number of cherry, pear, peach 
and plum trees, and also many blackberry and 
raspberry bushes. He also has a herd of fourteen 
cattle and four horses, and the farm is considered 
one of the finest in the county. The owner is a 
Republican in politics, and a member of JIuskegon 
Lodge No. 133, A. O. U. W. His wife holds mem- 
bership with the INIethodist Episcopal Church, 
and both are numbered among Muskegon's lead- 
ing and prominent citizens. 



•^^ 




ARSIIALL C. KELLEY. an able and highly 
successful atlorne3'-at-law of Muskegon, 
111 Mich., and who for the last five years has 
given his attention to loans and real-estate, 
for many years has been a constant resident of 
his present locality' .ind intimately associated with 
its upward progress. Our subject was born in GiU 
inanton, Belknap County, N. H., September 21, 
1840, and was the son of William Kelley, also a 



native of the same place where the paternal grand- 
father, Joseph Kelle}', early settled with his good 
wife, and born in the same house. The pater- 
nal great-grandfather, .Jacob Kelley, made his 
home in New Hampshire in 1771, and was one of 
the brave and patriotic soldiers of the Revolu- 
tionary War. The grandfather, born in the New 
Hampshire home, was a man of ability and earnest 
purpose. The mother of our subject, Elizabeth 
Osgood, born in New Hampshire, was the daughter 
of David S. Osgood, the maternal grandfather be- 
ing the descendant of English ancestors who, cross- 
ing the broad Atlantic, settled in Massachusetts in 
1638. The Osgoods are well known in the New 
England States, the family occupying positions of 
high usefulness and influence. The parents some 
years after their marriage removed from the Gran- 
ite State to the cit}- of Boston. 

Mr. Kelley passed his early years in his birth- 
place, and there attended the district schools, but 
when eleven years of age accompanied his father 
and mother to their residence in Boston, and com- 
pleted his studies in the excellent public schools 
of the latter city. Later, attracted by the broader 
opportunities of the West, the parents with their 
famil}' journeyed to Illinois, locating in Will 
Count}', where the father found ready eraploj'- 
ment as a contractor and builder. Our subject, 
then seventeen years of age, taught school, mean- 
time improving himself by study and reading. 
Finally deciding upon a professional career, Mr. 
Kelley read law with Judge G. D. A. Parkes and 
W. C. Goodhue, and was admitted to the Bar in 
1865. He began the practice of the legal profession 
in Joliet, III., where he became a well-known and 
prosperous lawyer. He then moved to Wilming- 
ton, 111., and in 1868 moved to Chicago. Previ- 
ous to entering upon his legal studies, our subject 
had, in 1859, journeyed to the far West, and for 
three years devoted his time to mining in Colo- 
rado. He however preferred life in the East, and 
returning to his Illinois home then began the 
preparation for the business of his life. From the 
year 1865 to 1867, Mr. Kelley with etticiency dis- 
charged the responsible duties of City Attorney 
of Wilmington, Will County, 111. 

In 1868, our subject located in Chicago, where, 



PORTRAIT AKD BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



213 



opening an ofBce, he for llie twelve succeeding 
years successfully conducted a law and real-estate 
business. In 1880, Mr. Kulky removed to Michi- 
gan, first making his home on AVhilc Lake, Mus- 
kegon County, but four years later settled pernia- 
nentl3- in the cit^- of Muskegon, where he has built 
up a fine Ijiisiness, and, combining the practice of 
his profession with the handling of real estate, has 
achieved a competence. From 1887 until 1890, 
our subject was Secretary and Treasurer of tiie 
Muskegon Lumber Com|)an3', and has been identi- 
fied with the numerous leading public interests of 
his present localit}-. In November, 1878, were 
united in marriage JI. C. Kelley and Miss May S. 
Smith, a native of Wisconsin, and daughter of 
Rev. William J. Smith, of New York. Five chil- 
dren, four sons and a daughter, have blessed the 
union of our subject and his estimable wife. The 
brothers and sister are in the order of their birth 
as follows: William Ernest, Grace Osgood, True- 
man Lee, Marshall Royal (deceased), and Arthur 
Carroll. The pleasant family residence of Mr. 
and Mrs. Kelley is desirably located on Money 
Lake, a suburb of Muskegon, and is the abode of 
liospitaiit}-. Politically Mr. Kelley is a stanch Re- 
publican, and is well posted on all the vital ques- 
tions of the day. Financially successful, he and 
his excellent wife occupy positions of social in- 
fluence and possess a host of sincere friends. 



- — ^W®:^ — 



^*~ OIIN F. MrBRIDE, a long-time resident and 
prominent and prosperous business man of 
Muskegon, Mich., is the energetic junior 
partner of the successful shingle manufac- 
turers, .Strong ife McHride, whose extensive facto- 
ries turn out both pine and cedar shingles of ex- 
cellent material and make. A self-made man, rap- 
idly' winning his upward way, our subject has, 
through unremitting attention to business and su- 
perior financial ability, gained a comfortable com- 
petence and now ranks among the moneyed men 



of the country. Mr. McBride is a native of the 
Wolverine .State and was born in Grand Rapids, 
Kent County, Maj- 23, 184G. His parents, Rowland 
and Harriett (Biddulph) JfcBride, were natives of 
Ireland and, the descendants of an industrious and 
intelligent ancestry', received good common-school 
educations in the Old Country. The parents had 
before their marriage emigrated to New Yoik, 
where they became acquainted and were married. 
The father and mother located in the State of 
jNIichigan when it was 3'et a comparative wilder- 
ness. At that time Grand Rapids was but a small 
village of a few inhabitants, and the parents were 
eye-witnesses of the wonderful growth and devel- 
opment of the State of Michigan. 

The father of our subject was by trade a butcher, 
and, a pioneer of the West, was intimately asso- 
ciated with the early history of Grand Rapids, 
but late in life went to Wisconsin, where he died. 
He was a man of ability and sterling character, 
universally' respected, and he possessed a valuable 
store of reminiscences of the primitive daj-s in the 
forests and villages of the Wolverine State. 
Removing to Wisconsin, he made his home in 
Fond du Lac, and there in 18r)8 i)assed away. The 
mother, surviving her husband a number of j'ears, 
entered into rest in Muskegon, Mich. John F. 
is one of four children, two sons and two daugh- 
ters, who blessed the home of the parents. Our 
subject received his education in Grand Rapids 
and attended the common schools of his home 
district. Early in life beginning his career as a 
worker, he found employment near Grand Rapids, 
and for some time prior to attaining his majority 
labored in the mills. He later spent some years 
on a Kent County farm and engaged in the pursuit 
of agriculture with excellent results, but finally 
entered into other lines of business and was vari- 
ously engaged for some length of time, becoming 
practically acquainted with tlie handling of lum- 
ber from its felling, sorting and piling, until, en- 
tering the mill, it became a stjiple article of man- 
ufacture, and was distributed again to different 
markets and wholesale purch.asers. 

For some years Mr. McHridc was a luml)er in- 
spector in Muskegon. In 188'J he entered into 
pjtrtnership with .laman E. Strong in the manufac- 



214 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



ture of pine anfl cedar shingles, and this partner- 
ship, now enduring for four years, has been pros- 
pered beyond all expectations. The machinery in 
use in the factor}' is the best extant, and the ten- 
block rotary machine turns out an immense prod- 
uct annually. In 1878 Mr. McBride married Miss 
Hannah E. Crane, a most estimable lady and the 
second daughter of Curtis Crane, a successful con- 
tractor. Four children have been born to Mr. and 
Mrs. ISIcBride, one son and three daughters: .Jessie 
E., Glenn F., Ethelyn F. and one not yet named, 
promising and attractive young people, who 
have a bright future before them. The pleasant 
family residence, located at No. 512 Lake Street, is 
in tlie Eighth Ward of the city and is surrounded 
by handsome homes. Politically a Republican, our 
subject is not an office-seeker, but, intelligently in- 
terested in the questions of the day and well 
posted in the vital issues of local and national 
government, is a true citizen, ably assisting in all 
matters of mutual welfare. He is highly esteemed 
b.v a host of old-time fiiends, who thoroughly' 
appieciate the business ability and sterling integ- 
rity of character which have distinguished the ca- 
reer of Mr. McBride from his earliest manhood. 



^^_^ OBEY BROWN, the faithful and efficient 
jl^ Sergeant of the night force of police, 
Muskegon, Mich., has with ability for sev- 
• {I eral years held his present responsible posi- 
tion, and, occupying various offices of trust, has 
long been identified with the public work of the 
city. Our subject, a brave veteran of the Civil 
AVar, who entered the service of the Government 
before attaining his majority, is a native of the 
village of Greenwich, Fairfield County, Conn., 
born August 9, 1842. His father, Henry H. Brown, 
also born m Connecticut, in which State he passed 
his entire life, was the descendant of a long line 
of honored Nevv Kngland ancestry, the paternal 
grandfather, .James Brown, having likewise been 
reared, educated and married in Connecticut, where 



at a good old age he entered into rest after a long 
life of usefulness. The mother, Susan (Rascoe) 
Brown, was a native of Connecticut, and in her 
peaceful New England home trained her children 
to self-reliant independence and instilled into 
them a patriotism true and fervent. Our subject, 
remaining with his parents, spent the daysof boj'- 
hood in Fairfield and enjoyed the benefit of a good 
common education in the public schools of his 
home locality. At the first rumor of war Mr. 
Brown resolved to enter the army, and upon De- 
cember 29, 18G1, enlisted in Company C, Thir- 
teenth Connecticut Infantry, commanded by Col. 
Beige, later known as Gen. Berge. 

The regiment was assigned to the Army of the 
Gulf under Gen. Butler, and participated in the 
battles of Irish Bend, Port Hudson, Grand Ecore, 
Pleasant Hill and Cane River. Our subject like- 
wise took part under Gen. Sheridan in the engage- 
ments in the Shenandoah Valley, at Winchester, 
Fisher Hill and Cedar Creek, and having with faith- 
ful courage served bravely four years, five months 
and twenty-eight days, w.as mustered out at Hare 
Island in May, 1866. Mr. Brown then returned to 
Connecticut, but some time later deciding to try 
his fortunes in the West, in 1868 journeyed to 
Michigan and settled in South Haven, Van Buren 
County, where he industriously engaged in the 
pursuit of farming for eleven years. At the ex- 
piration of this length of time our subject removed 
to Muskegon and began working in the lumber 
regions. In 1884 he was appointed a policeman 
for one year, and afterward served with ability as 
Deputy Marshal for a twelvemonth. For the past 
seven years Mr. Brown has held his present posi- 
tion to the entire satisfaction of the general pub- 
lic. Politicall}' an ardent Republican, our subject 
takes an active interest in local and national issues, 
and, a man of observation, is intelligently versed 
in the vital questions of the day. 

In 1868, Hobby Brown and Miss Ora J. Swift 
were united in marriage. The estimable wife of 
our subject is a native of New England and was 
born in Connecticut, a daughter of Reuben Swift, 
also born in Connecticut, in which locality the pa- 
ternal grandparents settled early in the history of 
the State. Mr. and Mrs. Brown reside in a hand- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



215 



some frame residence of modern architecture, con- 
taining tlie latest improvement^?, and situated at 
No. 170 Pine Street, Muskegon. Fraternally, our 
subject is connected with tiie Ancient Order of 
United Workmen, and is a mcmher of tiie Macca- 
bees. He also belongs to the Modern Woodmen, 
and affiliates with Phil Kearney Post No. 7, G. A. 
R. He is a charter member of Zach Chandler 
Post of South Haven, and has a host of friends 
among these various orders and especially- enjoys 
the re-unions of the Old Veterans, who recall the 
experieuces of the days when, side by side, the 
tried and true fought for the preservation of 
national existence. To-day as then, Mr. Brown is 
a loyal citizen, ever ready to do his share in all 
matters of general welfare. 



'^—^=m>-^^<m^ 



it_,^^ENRY B. SMITH, the enterprising whole- 
^ sale and retail grocer, located at No. 146 
Ottawa Street, JIuskegon, Jlich., com- 
mands one of the best lines of custom in his 
part of the State, and, carrying a complete stock 
of choice goods, foreign and domestic, is enabled 
to supply the demands of his large and rapidly 
increasing business with prompt service, appre- 
ciated b}' all who deal with him. Our subject was 
born in Holhind, Europe, October 14, 1848, and 
was the son of B. H. Smith, also a native of Holland 
and the descendant of honest and hard-working 
people, who lived and died in the same province 
of tiie Netherlands. TJie mother, Jane Van Oost- 
ing, also a Hollander by birth, was reared, educated 
and married in her native land. In 18.53, the father 
with his family' bade adieu to the familiar scenes 
of the Old C'ountiy and sailed for America, where, 
arriving safely, he found ready occupation as a 
shoemaker and also handled merchandise. Henry 
B. was a little lad four years of age when he made 
the voyage across the Atlantic, and his first home 
upon our hospitable shores was in the city of I'nt- 
erson, N. .1., where he attended the district schools 
and later began the daily work of life. 



Entering in boyhood a cotton factorj", Mr. 
Smith gave five years to that work, and later spent 
one 3-ear in a woolen factor}'. Afterward learn- 
ing the trade of a painter, he engaged in that oc- 
cupation with jirolit for twelve years. In 18G9, 
our sul)jcct journeyed to the West and, settling in 
Muskegon, conlinue<l in the painting business un- 
til 1879, when he emharked successfully in his 
present line of trade. Mr. Smith lias a fine store, 
especiallv adapted to the needs of his business. 
The building, 224x70 feet and two stories in 
heigiit, is well ligiited and cc)nvenienlly arranged, 
each department, wholesale and retail, carrying a 
full line of fine and staple goods. Finaiu-ially 
prospered, our subject has invested in valuable 
real estate, and in addition to his other business 
is engaged in the iiandliiig of both inside and out- 
side properties, being considered aulhoriij' in val- 
ues and possibilities of future advancement. In- 
timately associated with the leading interesls of 
his home locality, Mr. Sniitii lias long been iden- 
tified Willi the Chamber of Commerce of .Muske- 
gon, and is a stockholder in tlie Muskegon Mill- 
ing Company, of which he was the chief organ- 
izer. 

Fraternally, our subject is associated with Mus- 
kegon Lodge No. 92, I. O. O. F.; Davis Encamp- 
ment No. 47, 1. 0. 0. F.; and is a member of Rebecca 
Lodge No. 124, 1. O. O. F.; he is also connected 
with Muskegon Canton No. 6. I. O. O. F., Mus- 
kegon Tent No. 56, K. O. T. M., and Muskegim 
Lodge No. 133, A. O. U. W., and among these 
various orders has a host of siiiceie frienrls. Polit- 
ically a Republican, .nnd ever deeply interested in 
both local .-ind national government, Mr. Smith is 
in no sense of the word a politician, but is content 
to do his duty as a loyal American citizen at the 
polls. 

In 1869 were united in marriage Henry B. Smith 
and Miss Gertrude Wierengo, daughter v( Will- 
iam Wierengo, a native of Holland, who many 
years ago emigrated to this country. Five chil- 
dren, four sons and one daughter, have blessed the 
pleasant home. William is the eldest-born; then fol- 
low Bernard, Marion, Edward and Hairy. Mr. and 
Mrs. Smith are valued iiiemliers of the Congrega- 
tional Church and liberally aid in religious work. 



216 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



In their pleasant home, No. 188 South Terrace 
Street, Muskegon, they enjoy tlie comforts and 
luxuries of life and hospitably receive a wide cir- 
cle of acquaintance, whose high regard they have 
long possessed. 



W" ARREN F. ODION, a prominent citizen, 
leading agriculturist and stock-raiser of 
Cedar Creek Township, Muskegon County, 
Mich., is interested in the handling of blooded 
Jerseys and Shropshire sheep, and, for many years 
intimately associated with the progressive inter- 
ests of his locality, has held with efficient dis- 
charge of dutj' many offices of trust. Sir. Odion, 
one of the early settlers of the near vicinity of 
Twin Lake, was born in Genesee County, N. Y., 
February 21, 1841. His parents, Samuel and Aba- 
gail (Peck) Odion, were natives of New England, 
the father hailing from Vermont, the birthplace of 
the mother being Connecticut. Samuel Odion 
was a carpenter and joiner by trade, and located 
in Michigan in 1866, his wife two years later, in 
1868, passing away in her new home. The father 
and mother reared a family of eight children. 
Darius, the eldest, is now deceased; Emiline, de- 
ceased, was the wife of M. Kelsey; Lorinda is the 
widow of A. Lounsbeiry; Abagail married A. 
Buell; W. F. is our subject; Robert C. resides in 
Batavia. N. Y.; Sarah is the widow of AVilliam 
Peck; and Esther married James Hiscott. Our sub- 
ject, educated in the common scliools of his na- 
tive Stale, at eighteen years of age acquired the 
trade of a carpenter and joiner and followed the 
occupation of a builder until the breaking out of 
the Civil War. 

In 1862, Mr. Odion enlisted in Companj' C, 
One Hundred and Fifty-first New York Infantry, 
and, attached to Die Army of Virginia, partici- 
pated witli bravery in the various battles of the 
long campaign, taking an active part in the battle 
of the Wilderness, Spottsylvania Court House, 



Cold Harbor, Hanover Court House, North Anna 
River, Reams' Station, Frederick Cit3', Md., Snick- 
ers' Gap, Va.,and siege of Petersburgli. During 
the latter siege, which lasted from the fall of 1864 
until the 2d of April, 1865, our subject received a 
gun-shot wound in the right siioulder while en- 
gaged in one of the most hotly contested charges 
made bj' the rebel forces. Mr.Odion was inside 
the works when shot, and was at once conveyed to 
the hospital of City Point, Va. At the expiration 
of a month he was transferred to Lincoln Hospital, 
Washington, D. C, where he was obliged to re- 
main until the 1st of June. Mr. Odion then re- 
turned home upon a furlough, and was mustered 
out of the service of the Government in Palmira, 
N. Y., July 5, 1865, having for two years and 
eleven months given faithful service. He received 
only one serious wound, although engaging at 
close quarters in ten regular battles and numer-' 
ous skirmishes. Entering llie army as a private, 
our subject retired to civil life with a gallant rec- 
ord as a non-commissioned officer. 

After a brief visit to the home of his childhood, 
Mr. Odion, in 1866, located on his present home- 
stead of one hundred and sixty acres, of which 
sixty acres are now highl}' improved. On March 
20, 1871, Warren F. Odion and Miss Ellis Crocker 
were married and settled on the farm where they yet 
reside, and where thej' reared tlieir three children, 
of whom William, the eldest, is attending school 
at Big Rapids, Mich.; Archie B. is at home; and one 
is deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Odion are both mem- 
bers of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which 
our subject is District Steward, and is likewise Su- 
perintendent of llie Sund.ay-school. Fraternally, he 
is an honored member of Whitehead Post No. 342, 
G. A. R. Politically a Republican, he cast his first 
Presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln, when the 
lamented President was making his second race. 
Active in local politics and frequently a member 
of the Republican County Committee, Mr. Odion 
has, to the great satisfaction of his fellow-towns- 
men, held the offices of Township Supervisor, 
Township Clerk, School. Inspector for ten or fifteen 
years, and in 1892 was elected Justice of the Peace, 
for four years; he is now one of the County Su- 
perintendents of the Poor. In 1883 he secured 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



217 



tlic location of the postoffice at Twin Lake and, ap- 
pointed the first post-master, resigned in 188Gand 
devoted himself more closely to the demands of 
his private business. Our sul)jcct is, and has long 
been, actively' interested in the needed inipiovc- 
ments and enterprises of his locality, and, one of 
the most inllucntial men in this part of the county, 
is •n-orlhy of the confidence and esteem rendered 
him by the entire community among whom he has 
passed so raan^' busy j-ears. 



I I I 



JOHN E. .lOIINSON, now a prominent busi- 
ness man of Casenovia, and for years promi- 
nently identified with the farming interests 
of Muskegon County, w.as born in North- 
umberland Count}', England, in the village of 
Allendale, April 22, 1844. His paternal grandfa- 
ther, .John .Johnson, was likewise a native of Al- 
lendale, and throughout his entire .active life en- 
g.aged in farming ])ursuits. lie and his good wife 
reared threesonsand two daughters, namely: Will- 
iam, a resident of Pl.Ttteville, Wis.; Edward, wlio 
makes his home in Melbourne, Australia; .lolin A., 
the father of our subject; Ann, who married, and 
died in California; and Mrs. Hannah Short, wlio 
died in England. 

A native of Northumberland County, England, 
the father of our subject first o[)cned his eyes to 
the light of day in 1813. In England he married 
Miss Deborah Hunter, and they became the par- 
ents of seven children. William, their first-born, 
enlisted in Company D, Eiglitli Michigan Inlan- 
try, and after serving for one and one-half years 
was honorably dischaiged. On llie 2Glh of March, 
1867, he was killed by the falling of a tree upon 
his bod}-. Ann died in girlhood at Racine, Wis.; 
Hannah passed awa_v in Wisconsin; Mary, Mrs. 
William IJettis, and Betsey, Mrs. O. D. Blanchard, 
are also dece.ased. The other two children born 
of this union are Jasper and .lohn E. The wife 
and mother died in August, 1864. The second mar- 
riage of Mr. Johnson, .Sr., united hiin with Mrs. 



Jane I'eaks, the widow of Samuel Peaks, who died 
in the army. This estimal)lo lady still survives. 

In the spring of 18,'jO, Mr. Julinson, Sr., emi- 
grated to America, and after a voyage of eleven 
d.a3-s landed in the I'liited States. He arrived in 
Racine, Wis., on the Isl of Jul}', and there em- 
barked in the business of shipping wood to Chi- 
cago, also working at the trade of a m.ison. In 
England ho engaged in merchandising, and also 
owned a fifty-acre farm. In 1860 became toMus- 
kegon County, where he located on section 20, 
Casenovia Township, and began the work of clear- 
ing one hundred and sixl}- acres which he had 
purchtised prior to removing hither. Later, dis- 
posing of this property, he removed to Newaygo 
Count}', where his dc-ith occurred in April, 1867. 
Politically, he was a Republican, but not active in 
public affairs. In his religious convictions he had 
been a member of the Church of England in liis 
native land, and after coming to America became 
identified with the Episcopal Church. 

At an early age our subject was brought to 
America by his parents, and he grew to manhood 
amid the pioneer scenes of Wisconsin and .Michi- 
gan. On the 4th of January, 1863, he enlisted as 
a member of Battery B, First Michigan Artillery, 
and participated in the campaign of Gen. Sher- 
man in the South, taking part in the battles of 
Rcsaca, Rome Cross Roads, Elawa Kiver, Rome, 
Dallas, Chattahoochee River and Atlanta. He 
followed Gen. Hood back to Hunt-ville, .\la., and 
afterward marched to Macon, Savannah, Columbia, 
Bentonville and other Soiithein cities, where he 
met the foe on many a bloody battlefield. At 
CreswellviUe, Ga., he was wounded in the right 
hand. He took part in the (iiaiid Review at 
Washington, June 14, \XC>'). and was afterward 
discharged at Detroit, Mich. 

Returning home, he engaged in farming pur- 
suits on sixtv acres situated on section 21, Cas- 
enovia Township. In 1872 he comiiieiiced to work 
at the trade of a mason, wliifh he followed for 
twenty j'ears in connection with agricultural ,|)ur- 
suits. In 1886 he sold his farm, and, coining to 
Casenovia, has since made his hoii.e in this villajje. 
In July of 1890 he engaged In the fiiinitiire busi- 
ness, in which he met with success from the in- 



218 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



ception of the enterprise. He has served as Presi- 
dent of the village and as Alderman, being one 
of the prominent members of the Republican part}' 
at this place. Socially, he is identified with the 
Masonic fraternity, the Grand Army of the Re- 
public, and the Knights of the Maccabees. 

June 18, 1866, Mr. Johnson married Arrainda, 
daughter of Cornelius and Emeline (Hilton) Bon- 
ter, natives of New Jersey and Livingston County, 
Mich., respectiveljf, who now reside in Missouri. 
Four children were born of this union: Myrtia; 
Selden C; Frank, who died at the age of four; and 
Eddie. The wife and mother died May 17, 1886. 
The present wife of Mr. Johnson was formerly 
Margaret C'olman, and is a ladj- of noble charac- 
ter, who has proved a devoted helpmate to her 
husband. Mr. Johnson is exact and scrupulous in 
his business relations. His word or promise in 
any transaction is taken without hesitation. In 
like manner, he exacts the proprieties of life from 
all with whom he comes in contact. In his view 
the highest citizenship is comprehended in the 
morality, enterprise and integrity of the people. 
A public-spirited man, his gifts to public and re- 
ligious institutions have been frequent and gen- 
erous. He gives to the churches, to the poor, to 
public and individual enterprises, and he is as un- 
ostentatious in his beneficences as he is in person 
and manner. 



-=) 



$+^ 



[3_ 



[^" 



DELS P. NELSON, a prominent citizen and 
popular Street Commissioner of Muskegon, 
Mich., and for a quarter of a century a lead- 
ing factor in the promotion of enterprise, has during 
these changing years occupied with honor and fi- 
delity to trusts involved various city and count}- 
positions. In 1880 elected Alderman from the 
First Ward, he served two years as a City Father, 
vigorously aiding in the forwarding of needed lo- 
cal improvements and materially advancing num- 
erous public enterprises. In 1886 elected Sheriff 
of Muskegon County, and in 1888 re-elected to the 



responsible position by a handsome majority, Mr. 
Nelson was ever equal to the trying demands of 
the olfice, and by his prompt discharge of duty 
gave universal satisfaction to the general public. 
In 1892 appointed Commissioner, and in 1893 re- 
appointed, he Is now handling this branch of the 
city work in a thoroughly practical and energetic 
manner, which from the first has won the high 
commendation of his fellow-citizens. Our subject, 
a native of Norway, was born near Christiana, 
August 26, 1848. His father, Peter Nelson, also 
born in Norway, passed his entire life in his native 
laud, dying in 1873. The mother, Anna Nelson, 
likewise a lifetime resident of Norway, entered 
into rest in 1860. The father and mother, in- 
dustrious and upright people, reared and educated 
six children. 

Our subject, spending the days of boyhood in 
Norway, attended the common schools of his na- 
tive land and was likewise trained in habits of 
intelligent thrift. At sixteen years of age he 
self-reliantly resolved to try his fortunes in the 
world of promise beyond the sea. Safely crossing 
the Atlantic, after a long voyage he landed in 
Quebec. He made no stay in the Canadian Do- 
minion, but, journeying to the United States, went 
to Illinois and for a twelvemonth made his home 
in Chicago. The succeeding year locating in Man- 
istee, Mich., our subject worked in the lumber re- 
gion for two years. July 5, 1867, Mr. Nelson 
came to Muskegon and received employment in 
the lath-mill of Bigelow ct Co., continuing in the 
same business for the succeeding fifteen years. In 
1882 Mr.Nelson, in jiartnership with Martin Birch, 
engaged in the meat business, under the firm 
name of Nelson & Birch, and, remaining in this 
line of trade, also conducted a general merchan- 
dise business on his own account. A stalwart Re- 
publican and an ardent advocate of the principles 
of the party, our subject has been prominent in the 
local councils, and as the candidate of the Repub- 
lican ticket has won in the official ra(!e. 

Fraternally connected with the Lowell Moore 
Lodge No. 182, A. F. & A. M., also a member of 
the chapter, council and comniandery, our sub- 
ject likewise affiliates with the Scandinavian Tent 
of the Maccabees. He is a member of Muskegon 



-i?^'- 



■'naie 





Jcr-A^-n^ e^/ 




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



221 



Lod^e No. 133, A. O. V. W., and belongs to the 
Modern Woodmen, and in these various societies 
numbers a wide acquaintance and raanj- friends. 
IMarch 21, 1872, Nels P. Nelson and Miss Synava 
Johnson, of Muskegon, were united in marriage. 
Ten yeai-s later the estimable wife passed awaj', 
leaving to the care of her iiusband one son and 
one daughter: Anna, deceased; and Tred. Febru- 
ary 21, 1883, our subject wedded his present wife, 
Kmma O. Iloltlie, of Muskegon. Two sons, Alvin 
II. and Carlton Lester, bless the second union. 
Mr. and Mrs. Nelson reside in a handsome resi- 
dence at No. 108 Lake Street and are botli valued 
members of the Lutheran Churcii, aiding liberally- 
in its support and the extension of religious influ- 
ence. Respected by all wlio know tiien],thcv are 
ever read^' to assist in the good work and benev- 
olent enterprises of their locality, and our subject 
a« a public man, a friend and neighbor enjo3's the 
confidence of his fellow-citizens tliroughout Mus- 
kegon Countj-. 






JOHN ECKIIOFF, one of Crockery Town- 
ship's progressive agriculturists and a rep- 
resentative farmer of Ottawa County, was 
born in Germany on the 20th of December, 
1835. His parents, John and Margaret (Elders) 
Eckhoff, were both natives of (Jerniany, and there 
resided until death. A tailor by trade, the father 
followed that occupation for man}' years in his 
native land, accumulating a goodly* store of the 
material blessings of this world through diligent 
effort and jierseverance. He and his wife were 
honorable and upright in their relations witii all 
whom the^- met, and were prominent in the Evan- 
gelical Church, of which they were devoted mem- 
bers. 

The second of a family of five children, the sub- 
ject of this biographical notice was educated in 
Germany, where he remained until he was twenty- 
two jcarsof age. Emigrating thence to the United 
States, he proceeded at once after landing to Michi- 



gan, wliere he settled in Ottawa County and has 
made his home here ever since. Soon after the 
opening of the Civil War, his sympathies, aroused 
on behalf of the Union, and with ail the ardor 
and zeal of a native-born son of America, he en- 
listed as a member of Company G, Twentj'-first 
Michigan Hegiment, the date of his enlistment be- 
ing August 11, 1862. For two years and eleven 
months he served with conscientious devotion, 
and at the close of the war he was honorably dis- 
charged, July 5, 18G5. 

Among the engagements in which Mr. Eckhoff 
participated may be mentioned t'.ie battles of Per- 
ryville and Stone River. In the last-named en- 
gagement he was wounded in the muscles of his left 
arm, and at the same time was taken prisoner, be- 
ing conveyed to Murfreesboro, Tenn., on the last 
day of the year 1862. On the 3d of January, 
1863, he was paroled, but was unable to leave the 
hospital for some time thereafter. Upon his re- 
covery he was transferred to the Veteran Reserve 
Corps, in which he served until the close of the 
war. On account of the wounds received while 
in service, he is granted a pension of $8 per month 
by the Government. 

Very soon after his return from the war, Mr. 
Eckiioff established domestic ties, being married 
August 31, 1865, to Miss Margaret Simms, who 
was born in Germany. The union has resulted in 
the birth of eleven children, as follows: John 
Henry, Fred W., Andrew E., Mary M., Charles M., 
Ilenriette L., Anna A., Lewis A., Minnie D., Jes- 
sie C. and Archie L. In the fall of 1865, a few 
weeks after his marriage, Mr. Eckhoff purchased a 
farm of one hundred and twenty acres of unim- 
proved land in Crockery Township, and here he 
has since made iiis home, meanwhile clearing the 
land and placing it under a high cultivation. The 
place is pleasantly located within five miles of 
Spring Lake. 

Since casting his first Presidential ballot for 
Abraham Lincoln, Mr. Eckiioff lias uniformly' 
maintained tlie principles for which the Republi- 
can party stands. lie has .served Crockery Town- 
ship as lligliway Coiiiinissioner and li.is also olli- 
ciated as Constable. In iiis social connections, 
he is identified with the Grand Army of the Re- 



222 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



public, being a member of the post atNunica, No. 
136. He is also a member of Spring Lake Lodge 
No. 234, A. F. & A. M. With his wife he holds 
membership in the Evangelical Church, and is 
prominent in all the benevolent enterprises orig- 
inated by that denomination. 



Il@^@l^^ 




ON. JOHN W. NORRINGTON. There is 
an obscurity in the game of life that to 
the robust mind is always attractive. The 

^ important uncertainty of tlie final outcome, 
its value to all, serves as an incentive to great 
deeds. To push forward and win the battle is the 
one common impulse and ambition of humanity. 
But in this vast concourse of struggling warriors, 
the number who achieve success is comparatively 
small, and in the majority of instances is confined 
to those who by reason of family inheritance or 
extended learning have a far better start than 
their fellows. Without these qualifications success 
is rarely attained, but when it is, the fortunate be- 
ing is invariably the possessor of an indomitable 
will, untiring energy and an unusual amount of 
native shrewdness and ability. Such a man is 
John W. Norrington, the subject of this sketch, 
who is the present representative of Ottawa Coun- 
ty in the Legislature. 

Mr. Norrington is a native of Berkeley County, 
W. Va., born July 28, 1848, and the son of William 
and Mary (Hedges) Norrington, natives respec- 
tively of South Carolina and A'irginia (now West 
Virginia). Both families came originally from 
England, the Norringtons settling in South Caro- 
lina and the Hedges in Annapolis, IMd.,and members 
of these families served in the AVar for Indepen- 
dence. William Norrington was a farmer by oc- 
cupation, and his death occurred in West Virginia, 
on the farm where he settled directly after mar- 
riage. There his wife also passed her last daj-s. 
At the commencement of the Civil War he was a 
county oflicial and a stanch Union man. To his 
marriage were born seven children. Tlie first died 



in infancy; Mary E., wife of Andrew T. Harper, 
was born October 3, 1846, close to the old home- 
stead; John W. is next; William L., born October 
1, 1850, resides in Seattle, Wash.; Martha J., born 
July 3, 1852, died November 8, 1853; Sarah V., 
born January 14, 1855, married H. R. Smith, and re- 
sides in South Dakota; and Joseph E., born Septem- 
ber 28, 1857, resides on the old homestead in 
Berkeley County, W. Va. 

John W. Norrington was reared to farm life, and 
in his boj'hood da^'s attended the subscription 
schools, continuing in the same until the breaking 
out of tlie Civil War. In 1865 he attended the 
first free school in the county, and in the winter 
of 1867 entered the High School of Odin, III. 
When fifteen 3-ears of age our subject started out 
for himself, and his first move was to enlist in 
Companv C, Third West Virginia Cavalry, under 
Capt. Peter Tabler. He was in the battle of Wytlie- 
ville, Va., on Hunter's raid and at Licksburgh; then 
his command went to the Shenandoah Valley and 
fought at Winchester. The next engagement was at 
Shepardstown, then Chambersburg, where heavy 
skirmishing was done, but the hardest engagement 
took place at Morefield, W. Va. After this he 
was at Winchester, Fisher's Hill,Mt. Jackson, Port 
Republic and Cedar Creek, where Gen. Sheri- 
dan made his famous ride. For a short time they 
were in winter quarters at Camp Russell, after which 
they went on tlie Gordonsville (Va.) raid. On 
the 27tli of February, 1865, they broke camp and 
started for Wliite House Landing. The first en- 
gagement was at Waynesboro and there the Third 
Brigade made the celebrated charge. This charge 
was made by Col. Capehart, and three hundred 
wagons of Gen. Early's wagon train were captured. 
The next battle was at Charlottesville, and then Pe- 
tersburg, and from that time on it was a continual 
engagement until tlie surrender of Gen. Lee. The 
hardest-fought battle during this time was at 
Sailor Creek,where Gen. Custer made three charges 
before he was successful and captured Brig.-Gen. 
Lee and Gen. Ewcll, of the Confederate arm3'. 
Five Forks w.as the next engagement in which 
our subject participated. During his service Mr. 
Norrington was slightlj' wounded at the battle 
of Moorfield, and was captured b^- Gen. Mosby 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



223 



at Bunker Hill, Va. Five other men were cap- 
tured at tlie same lime, but they succeeded in 
overcoming tiieir guards and made their way to 
their own camp on the opposite side of the river, 
taking the Sergeant along with tliem. Mr. Nor- 
rington was discliargcd at Wlieeling, W. Va., on 
the 30th of .June, 186.5, and left camp July 10 
of the same 3-ear. 

Returning home, Mr. Norrington remained there 
for a short time and attended school. On the 1st 
of JIarch, 1869. he started to Kansas, but spent 
the summer in Weston, Mo. In the fall he went 
to what was then Howard County, now Chautau- 
qua County, Kan., where he took up land close to 
what is now the town of Peru. This town was 
located by our subject, Mr. Cutler and several 
others, and .Mr. Norrington assisted in digging the 
first well and building the first house, which was 
a log structure. The latter was given to a man to 
put a stock of groceries in. On the organization 
of the countj', Mr. Norrington was elected Town- 
ship Trustee for the south half of the county, 
called IJcUevillc Township. Often Mr. Norring- 
ton would take a day's provisions and a blanket 
and pony and make a two-days trip, camping out 
wherever night overtook him. He was re- 
elected the next year, but resigned and came to 
this State in 1871. The following spring he re- 
turned to Kansas and remained there until 1875, 
when he came back to ^Michigan. The following 
j-ear he embarked in the grocerj' business at Plain- 
well, Allegan County, Mich., but since then he 
has been engaged for the most part in farming. 

In 1885 he was elected Township Supervisor 
and re-elected for seven successive years. In 1891 
he made the race for Register of Deeds on the Re- 
publican ticket but was defeated by one hundred 
and seventy votes, Charles Ingraham fusion. In 
1892, in the November election, he was made Rep- 
resentative over Jacob Barr, Democrat, by two 
hundred and thirty-nine votes. Mr. Norrington 
was a member of the Labor Committee, Klection 
Committee, and a member of the State Public 
School Board at Coldwater, .Midi. February 10, 
1869, he was married to Miss Joana Barlow, a na- 
tive of INIichigan, born near Ypsilanti, and the 
daughter of George O. and Joana (Williams) Bar- 



low. Mr. Barlow resides in this county, but his 
wife died on the 1st of January, 1893. They 
were the parents of eleven children, ten of whom 
lived to be grown: Margaret, who is the wife of 
Rev. W. Wilson; John, deceased; JIary, wife of 
James Chelson; Addie, wife of Mr. Boyce; Sem K.; 
t^lisha; Joana, wife of our subject; liana, widow of 
M. Sweetland; Nancy (deceased), who was the wife 
of John Sncll; Kle.vie, wife of David Lick; and 
George O. To our subject and wife have been born 
three children: Emery II., born Ma^' 12, 1871, and 
who died Marcli 26, 1873; Nova Z., born Novem- 
ber 12, 1873; and William ()., born March 31, 1877. 
Mrs. Norrington is a memlicr of the Presbyterian 
Church. Socially, Mr. Norrington is a member 
of Ottawa Lodge No. 46, I. O. O. P., the Grange, 
and William Tliurketlle Post No. 388, G. A. R., 
at Allendale Center. 



*^E*E 



.y 




j^ON. ELIAS W. MERRILL, a retired lum- 
berman and real-estate dealer of Muskegon, 
was born in Cumberland County, Me., 
October 2, 1812. He traces his ancestry to 
England, whence in 1635 representatives of the 
family emigrated to the United States, making 
settlement in New England. His father, Elias, 
was the son of Humphrey Merrill, a soldier in the 
Revolutionary War, who passed his entire life in 
Maine, the State of his birth. The mother of our 
subject, whose maiden name was Dolly Locke, was 
also born and reared in Maine. 

The years of his boyhood our subject passed in 
the State of Maine, where he received a good edu- 
cation in the common scliools. Later he entered 
Maine Seminary, where he prosecuted his studies 
with diligence for a period of two years. In 1837, 
having resolved to seek his fortune in the West 
he came to Michigan, and, locating in Grand 
Rapids, engaged in the lumber business for two 
years in partnership with his brother Is.aac. Re- 
turning later to Maine, he spent two ye:irs in 



224 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



that State, and in 1844 again came to Michigan, 
this time locating in Muskegon, where he embarlfed 
in the lumber business in connection with his 
brother, continuing thus engaged for a period of 
eighteen years and meeting with the highest suc- 
cess. In 1859 he turned his attention to the real- 
estate business, in which for a number of years he 
was successfully engaged. At the present time he 
owns several business blocks and a number of resi- 
dences in the cit^' of Muskegon. 

The public issues of Stale and nation have 
always commanded the earnest attention of Mr. 
Merrill, whose peculiar abilities eminently qualify 
him for official position. In his political atfilia- 
tions he was formerly a Whig and a pronounced 
Abolitionist, and is at present a stanch advocate 
of the principles of the Republican party. In 1857 
he was elected to represent his district in the State 
Legislature, where he served with fidelity to the 
interests of his constituents and with credit to 
himself. Among the most important measures 
with which he was identified was the bill provid- 
ing for the division of the large county of Ottawa 
into the two counties of Muskegon and Ottawa, 
the former having prior to that time been a part 
of Ottawa. So satisfaclor3- was the service rend- 
ered by Mr. Merrill in the Legislature that he was 
elected in 1865 to the State Senate, representing 
Ottawa and Muskegon Counties, in which capacity 
be served for one term. 

The marriage of Mr. Merrill was solemnized on 
the 24th of November, 1840, at which time he was 
united with Miss Sarah A., daughter of Moses and 
Sarah (Batchelor) Titcomb, natives of Maine. 
Mrs. Merrill was a native of Maine and received 
lier education in the schools of North Yarmouth, 
where she grew to womanhood. She was the mo- 
ther of one son and four daughters. Three daugh- 
ters yet survive: Ellen, Mrs. 11. N. Hovey, of 
Muskegon; Annie J., Mrs. James II. Smith; and 
Eliza M., wife of Ernest A. Worden, also of Mus- 
kegon. The deceased were Sarah A. and George 
"W. The mother departed this life at her home on 
the 13th of M.ay, 1893. The family residence is a 
commodious structure, pleasantly located at No. 
84 Muskegon Avenue, and is furnished in a man- 
ner indicating the refined tastes of the inmates. 



Mr. Merrill is a man of strong personality, unflinch- 
ing honesty and integrit}', and for many years 
has been numbered among Muskegon's most able 
and enterprising citizens. In judgment he is wise 
and accurate, and his opinion upon matters of im- 
portance has the weight of authority among his 
fellow-citizens. He is ever ready to take an ac- 
tive part in any business undertaking or enter- 
prise that will result profitably' to the development 
of Muskegon, and has been a prominent factor in 
the progress of this city. 



4^ 



S^PHRAIM PELTON. The observant trav- 
fe) eler as he wends his wa}' along the pleas- 
/*' — ^ ant roads of Ottawa County finds plenty 
to occupy his attention and awaken his admira- 
tion. On ever}' hand appear evidences of pros- 
perity. Here are fields of waving grain; there 
nestle busy, bustling cities. Probably in his trav- 
els he observes no finer farm than that which is 
owned and occupied by the subject of this brief 
biographical review, who is recognized as one of 
the most capable and prosperous farmers of Tall- 
madge Township. 

Born in Canada in 1832, our subject is the eldest 
child of Rollin 11. and Abigail (Pelton) Pelton, na- 
tives of Vermont and Canada respectively, of whom 
further mention is made in the sketch of Rollin Pel- 
ton, presented on another page. He was a pupil in 
the common schools of Canada, where he acquired 
a fair education, being an apt and diligent scholar. 
He remained in the land of his birth until he was 
a }-oulh of nineteen, when he came to Michigan, 
and for a time resided near the city of Grand 
Rapids. For six months he engaged in lumbering 
about the river, after which he accompanied his 
parents to Ottawa County and settled with them 
on a farm in Tallmadge Township. 

After working on the farm (or a period of twelve 
years, our subject began lumbering for the firm of 
Hopkins & Monroe, of Grand Haven, this State, 
and continued thus engaged for five years. He 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



225 



then purchased tlie beautiful farm upon -which he 
has since made Ins lioinc. At tlie time of buying 
the property, it was a wilderness, upon which 
scarcclj' a furrow had been turned and no attempt 
whatever made at improvement; but througii tlie 
diligent exertions of the owner it is to-day one of 
the best-improved farms in Ottawa County. Mr. 
Pellon uses good judgment in the cultivation of 
the soil, and makes a specialty of the cereals for 
which the land is best adapted. He makes of farm- 
ing not only an occupation, but also a science. 

In Grand Rapids, on the 1st of January, 1861, 
Mr. Pelton was united in marriage with Miss Etta 
Quigley, who was born in New York, being the 
daughter of William G. and Mar^- (Franklin) 
Quigle}'. To this marriage there have been born 
four children: K. II., who married Jliss Helen 
Willet and resides in Lowell, this State; Abbie, 
who is the wife of W. ,T. Craik, of Sparta; and 
Joseph and Etta, who live with their parents. 
While the life of Mr. Pelton has not been charac- 
terized b}' an}' stirring events or thrilling c[)isodes, 
his labors, while quietly done, have been no less 
efifective toward securing the advancement of the 
social and business interests of his community, 
and while gaining personal success he has also 
promoted the welfare of the township and county. 
The Democratic part}^ finds in him a firm adherent 
and ardent champion, and he casts his ballot and 
gives his influence toward promoting the success 
of this political organization. 



^>-^r<t 



JOHN ALBERS, the well-known and enter- 
prising wholesale dealer in meats of all 
kinds, and acommission man, the Muskegon 
^j_j^ representative of Swift & Co., Chicago pack- 
ers and dealers in provisions, has been a leading 
citizen of his present locality for thirt3'-six years, 
and has spent almost his entire life in the State of 
Michigan. Horn in (iermany in 1812, our subject 
was the son of Henry J. Albcrs, a man of more 
than ordinary business abilit}-, who with his fam- 



ily early crossed the ocean, and located in Alle- 
gan County, Mich., where he resided until his 
death. He was uii extensive shipper of stock and, 
widely known in the Wolverine State, commanded 
universal esteem. The mother, Fannie (Larinan) 
Albers, also a native of Germany and j-et surviv- 
ing her husl)and, continues to make her home in 
Allegan County. Our subject was eight years of 
age when with his parents he landed in the city 
of New York and journeyed immediately after 
to the West. He enjo\ed the benefit of a good 
common-school education in the district of his 
home in Allegan County, and at fifteen years of 
age came to Muskegon, and here received a higher 
grade of instruction in the excellent public .schools 
of the city. 

In 1870 'Mr. Albers engaged in the grocery busi- 
ness upon his own account, and a twelvemonth 
later began the handling of meats, and later sold 
his grocery store, continuing profitably in the meat 
business. In 1881 he opened a wholesale meat es- 
tablishment, second to none in tlie vicinity, and 
still continuing successfully in this line of trade, 
in 1887 became likewise a commission merchant, 
working in the interest of Swift & Co.. of Chicago, 
and handling their meats upon commission. At 
the beginning of his business career our subject 
served a profitable apprenticeship as a clerk in the 
store of Hyerson & Morris and R3'erson, Hills & 
Co., well-known and prosperous general merchants. 
The four j-ears which Mr. Albers spent with this 
firm gave him a clear insight into business meth- 
ods and insured him a wide acquaintance through- 
out the count}'. He also clerked for a time in the 
boot and shoe store of W. M. Sawyer, of Muske- 
gon, and when, in 1870, he went into business for 
himself, he possessed a fund of practical experi- 
ence, which was a most valuable reserve capital. 
In his present business, acquiring an extensive 
trade, our subject has taken his place with the sub- 
stantial business men of the city and county, and 
in all matters of public welfare and enterprise is 
ever ready to lend a helping iiand. 

In 1869 John Allicrsand Miss Fmma Lake, of 
Muskegon, were united in marriage. In 1883 Mr. 
Albers was married to his present wife, Tryntje 
Ozinga, also of Muskegon. Four sons and one 



226 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



X 



daughter have blessed the home: Flora, Frank, 
Henry, George and James. Mrs. Albers is a val- 
ued member of the German Reformed Church, and 
is active in religious and benevolent work. The 
family residence is desirabl3- located at No. 18 
Sanford Street. Fraternally associated with the 
JIaccabees and a member of Union Tent No. 379, 
Mr. Albers is, politically, a Democrat, and a strong 
.advocate of the "Party of the People." Untroub- 
led by aspirations for office, our subject is j'et in- 
telligently' posted in local and national issues and 
is regarded by the general public as a man of lib- 
eral spirit and a true American citizen. 



]I^ARWIN G. BELL, an extensive land- 

I Jl owner of Muskegon County, and a resi- 

dent of Casenovia, was born in Rossie, St. 



JARWIN G. 

Lawrence County, N. Y., February 20, 
184.'), being a son of David and Lucy A. (Blod- 
gett) Bell. His grandfather, David Bell, was born 
and reared in Vermont, and in early manhood was 
united in marriage with Miss Chloe, daughter of 
Asa Carpenter, and niece of Gov. Benjamin Car- 
penter. They became the parents of ten children, 
of whom two sons, David and Eraer, and seven 
daughters attained to maturitj-. In politics, Grand- 
father Bell adhered to the principles advocated by 
the Whig party. He followed farming pursuits 
until his death, which occurred in Jefferson Coun- 
ty, N. Y. 

David Bell, the father of our subject, was born 
in ^'ermont Julv 28, 180G, and was but one 3-ear 
old when his parents located in Rutland, N. Y. 
In his youth he gained a thorough knowledge of 
agricultural pursuits, which he followed in his na- 
tive State. In 1851 he came to Michigan and 
settled in Hillsdale County, whence, three years 
later, he removed to Casenovia Township, Muske- 
gon County. He purchased one hundred and 
sixty acres of heavily timbered land on sections 
20 and 20, but was not permitted to enjoy the 



rich fruition of his labors in witnessing its devel- 
opment into one of the flnest farms in the county, 
for he was removed b}- death February 2.5, 1855. 
As did his father, he identified himself with the 
Whig party. 

The mother of our subject was born in Frank- 
lin Count}-, Mass., in the village of Heath, April 
17, 1812. She still survives, being the wife of 
John Brown. Her parents, Samuel and Susanna 
C. (Wliipple) Blodgctt, were natives of Massachu- 
setts, the father having been born near Lexington. 
In 1828 he removed to New York, and followed 
farming operations in Jefferson County until his 
death, at the age of sevent}--four ^-ears. In reli- 
gious matters, he was a Free-Will Baptist. He was 
twice married, and by his first union had twelve 
children, five sons and seven daughters. His sec- 
ond marriage was childless. He was a son of 
Timothy Blodgett, a resident of Massachusetts and 
of English descent, who served in the Revolution- 
ary "War. 

In the parental family there were nine children 
who attained to mature j-ears, three having died in 
childhood. Those who reached manhood and 
womanhood were: GoodloeH., a resident of Battle 
Creek; Helen M., who married and is now de- 
ceased; Ambrose D., of Mississippi, who enlisted 
in the Third Michigan Infantry, and served for 
four years and four mouths; Emer A., who served 
in the Third Michigan Infantry, and was killed in 
the second battle of Bull Run; Chauncej', who 
served in the Third Michigan Infantry in the 
Commissary Department, and now lives in Missis- 
sippi; Darwin G., of this sketch; Annette, who is 
married and lives in Missaukee County; Mrs. 
Emma J. Jackson; and Inez, Mrs. Seaman, wlio is 
deceased. 

Our subject acquired his education in the High 
School at Battle Creek and at Battle Creek College. 
He taught four terms of school in Fremont and 
Chester Townships, and at the age of twenty-four 
years he went to Big Rapids, where he received 
the appointment of Stu-vcyor of Mecosta Count}'. 
He also engaged in the real-estate and insurance 
business there, and for two years served as City 
Engineer. For eighteen years he has made his 
home in Casenovia, with the progress of which his 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



227 



nnme is inseparably associated. He served as 
County Surveyor for one terra, and for fourteen 
years has been surveyor for the Western Michigan 
Lumber Conipanj-. 

Tlie real-estate interests of Mr. Bell are exten- 
sive and remunerative. He is tiie owner of twenty 
acres on section 29, forty .icrcs on section 20, and 
forty acres on section 21, Cascnovia Township; 
he owns an interest in four hundred and eighty 
acres in Moorland Township, being the sole own- 
er of one hundred and fortj- acres; he is also 
the owner of a one-half interest in five hundred 
and forty acres. In addition, he has valuable 
property in the village of Casenovia. Politically, 
he is a Republican, and socially is identified with 
the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. 

In May, 1875, Mr. Bell was united in marriage 
with Miss Jennie Northrup, who was born in Sen- 
eca County, Ohio, and is a daughter of William 
H. and Sarali (Tompkins) Northrup, natives re- 
spectively of Steuben County, N. Y., and Seneca 
County, Ohio. Mr. Northrup is a farmer by oc- 
cupation, and during the late war enlisted in the 
Third Ohio Infantry-. In 1869 he came to Jlus- 
kegon County, Mich., where he still resides. His 
wife died in May, 18110, at the age of sixty -one. 
They were the parents of four sons and one 
daughter. The grandfather of Mrs. Bell was Kben 
Northrup, who lived and died in Steuben County. 
Our subject and his wife are the parents of four 
children: Claude V., Clyde C, Fay and Cora M. 



f I I I U rn 



^^EORGE NELSON JOHN.STON. Through 
||| ,— , the good management of his farming affairs 
^^jj in general, the subject of this sketch has 
demonstrated tlie fact that skill and labor com- 
bined produce the best results. He and his broth- 
er are the most extensive and successful mint- 
growers in Muskegon County, and he has for ten 
years or more occupied a farm in Moorland Town- 
ship, consisting of two hundred and forty acres, 
of which one hundred and forty are in a high 



state of cultivation. As a farmer and business 
man, he stands high in the confidence of the peo- 
ple, whose regard he has won by honorable deal- 
ings and genial courtesy. 

Born in Haldimand County, Canada, our sub- 
ject is the son of James and Mary Ann (Yocum) 
Johnston. He is of Irish descent, his paternal 
grandfather, John Johnston, having been born in 
the Emerald Isle, whence he emigrated to Canada 
at an early age, and engaged in farming there un- 
til his death, in 18C2,at the age of eighty-one. His 
wife, whose maiden name was Susan Stewart, was 
a native of Canada, and died about 18C.'), at the 
age of sevent3--three. The maternal grandfather 
of our subject, Henry Yocuni, w.is a native of 
Pennsylvania, but passed the most of his life in 
Canada, near Niagara Fulls. He died in 18()9, at 
the age of nearly eighty. He was a wealth}' and 
successful farmer, a prominent citizen, and one of 
the first settlers along Lake Erie. The maternal 
grandmother, whose maiden name was Elizabeth 
Gould, was born in Canada, of German parentage, 
and died in 1855, at the age of fifty years. Lon- 
gevity has been a prominent characteristic of this 
family tlirougli several generations. The great- 
great-grandmollier of our subject on the maternal 
side was Mary Stewart, wiio attained the ripe old 
age of one hundred and six, and a perfect image 
of her, as she appeared at that age, has been pre- 
served in wax. 

The father of our subject, James Johnston, was 
born in the State of New Jersey in 1801. AVhen 
a mere boy he acted in the capacity of teamster in 
the Government service during the AVar of 1812. 
At the age of thirt3'-two he moved to Canada, and 
after a residence there of nearly twenty-four years 
he removed to Berrien County, Mich., whence, in 
1865, he came to JIuskegon County and settled in 
Eggleston Township, making his permanent home 
there. His death occurred October 28, 1871, when 
he was in his seventieth year, and after lie had 
suffered severely for a number of 3'ears. He was 
a member in good .-landing of the Old-School Bap- 
tist Church of Asiiland, and was a man of good 
habits and lofty principles, whose entire life was 
devoted to the faith of which he was a follower. 

The lady who in 1836 became the wife of James 



228 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Johnston was Miss Mary Ann Yocum, a native of 
Rainliam, Haldiraand County, Canada, born on the 
2d of August, 1816. She was a noble Christian 
wife and mother, beloved by all who knew her, 
and her life was a blessing to many. Siie passed 
from earth December 8, 1891, at the age of sev- 
enty-five. 

Our subject commenced in business for himself 
at the age of about twenty-two 3'ears, and for some 
time thereafter he engaged in lumbering, buying 
and selling lumber and shingles. In 1882 he set- 
tled upon the farm he now occupies in Moorland 
Township, Muskegon County. November 8, 1887, 
he and Miss Mary McVaugh were married. The 
bride was the daughter of Patrick and Katharine 
(Cull) McVaugh, natives of the Emerald Isle who 
emigrated to America and settled in Cliicago. In 
politics, Mr. Johnston is identified with the Pro- 
hibition party, and takes a prominent part in 
municipal affairs, giving his influence and support 
to all enterprises calculated to promote the ma- 
terial welfare of the community. In his religious 
connections, he is a member of tiie Free Methodist 
Church, to the support of which he contributes 
with liberality. 



e^-i-^i=- 



'■ ' RANK W. SQUIER, a progressive citizen 

P)i of Muskegon Count}', residing on section 1, 
Moorland Township, was born near Roch- 
ester, N. Y., October 17, 1853, and is a son of 
David W. and Sarah (Dayton) Squier, natives of 
the same State. His paternal grandijarents, John 
and ]\Iary (Lampman) Squier, of English and 
Dutch descent respectively, were also natives of 
New York. The ancestors of this family were a 
long-lived and sturdy race, possessing strong phys- 
ical and mental qualities. The father of our sub- 
ject, David W. Squier, a farmer and lumberman, 
was one of the most prominent citizens, first of 
Muskegon, and later of Newaygo County, being 
largely interested in and identified with the lum- 
ber business of northern Michigan. 



Born at Ft. Edward, Washington County, N.Y., 
March 10, 1822, David W. Squier grew to man- 
hood on the homestead of his father, and at the 
age of eighteen embraced the opportunity of de- 
voting his time and energy' to lumbering, a de- 
sire which he had long cherished. The fulfillment 
of this ambition decided his life pursuit, and made 
possible the success he afterward achieved. One 
of his favorite recreations during his boyhood 
days was to help in rafting logs down the Hudson 
and Susquehanna Rivers. In 1844 and 1815 he en- 
gaged as a contractor in Monroe Count}', N. Y., in 
getting out timber to construct the schooner "Gen- 
esee Chief" and the brig "Venice," for the Lake 
Erie service, working in the heavily timbered 
region of the Genesee River. 

December 18, 1846, Mr. Squier married Miss 
Sarah, daughter of Idas and Paulina (French) 
Dayton. Mrs. Squier was born in Monroe Count}', 
N. Y., January 23, 1829, and was reared and edu- 
cated in the place of her birth. After his marriage 
Mr. Squier changed his plans to some extent for 
the time being, and eng.aged in agricultural pur- 
suits in New York. In the fall of 1848 he located 
in the vicinity of Coldwater, Mich., and again 
pursued farming operations, interesting himself 
also in buying horses for the Eastern markets. In 
1856 he settled in Muskegon County, Mich., on 
the Muskegon River, where he engaged in the ho- 
tel and lumber business. 

In 1858 Mr. Squier purchased one hundred and 
forty acres of partly-improved land in Newaygo 
County, where he located permanently. He be- 
came one of the most extensive operators of pine 
and farming lands in northern Michigan, and the 
owner of over eight thousand acres, half of wliicli 
is improved and under cultivation. He was a man 
of quick decision, and gave his personal supervis- 
ion to all the details of his business affairs. His 
management, although skillful, was broad and lib- 
eial, and his business dealings were characterized 
by strict integrity. His private residence, built at 
a cost of $16,000, is reputed to be the finest farm- 
house in Newa3'go Count}-. He was a believer in 
the good old Democratic principles, but was never 
an aspirant for jjolitical honors. After the death 
of his wife, October 13, 1889, he never left the 



f-\ 




Adam Patterson 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



231 



old homestead, and seemed to lose all interest in 
his business aflfaiis. At the a'^e of sixty-eight, af- 
ter a long and useful career, a short illness re- 
sulted in his demise February 4, 1890. 

Frank W. Squier is one of five children, only 
two of whom are now living. His educational 
advantages included a thorough course in civil 
engineering, the knowledge of which is very useful 
to him in the management of the estate. He was 
united in marriage February H', 18!tl, with Miss 
Mar^' Dickinson, daughter of Frank and JIaryett 
(Kimbell) Dickinson, natives of Vermont and New 
York respectively. Mrs. Squier was born in Mich- 
igan Marcli 1), 18G5, and received an excellent ed- 
ucation in girlhood in New.aj^go Count}', Mich. 
Our subject possesses inanv of the sterling quali- 
ties of his father, and is highly regarded by the 
people of his community, lie devotes the most 
of his time and attention to the management of 
his extensive interests in lumber and agriculture. 






N..^.^.J..J.f_ 




DAM PA'ITERSON was horn 



IJrock, 



Canada, March i:!, 184(1, and died in 
.Muskegon County, Mich., .lune 17, 1891. 
The half-century that spanned these dates 
was filled with deeds of kindness and generosity, 
and when the end came it was felt by all with 
wlidui lie h:i(l liusiness or social relations lliat tiie 
comniunity had suffered an irre|)arabh' loss. This 
brief record of his life will be perused with interest 
by those with whom he was associated in days gone 
b}', and will also furnisii an example foi' tlie emula- 
tion of the rising generation. 

The parents of our subject, Alexander and Mary 
Patterson, were natives of Scotland, and in 1837 
emigrated to America, settling in Canada, where 
they resided about twenty years. They then re- 
moved to Michigan and located in IJerlin, Ottawa 
County. After a residence there of another twent}' 
years, they sold out their farming interests and re- 
moved to (irand Rapids, where Mr. Patterson re- 
sided, practically retired from .active business, until 
11 



his death. Of ten children, our subject is the 
fourth in respect to age. He remained at home 
until about twenty-two years old, assisting his 
father on the farm and at the same time .acquiring a 
common-school education. He then engaged in 
farming in Polkton Township, Ottawa County, and 
followed this occupation about two years. 

Removing from Polkton Township to Ravenna, 
Mr. Patterson embarked in the milling and lum- 
bering business, and for about two years had an 
extensive trade in that line. Then selling out his 
interests at that place, he located at Titiute and 
erected a large mill for the manufacture of lumber 
and shingles. He did a thriving business here for 
about one year, then sold out and removed to Ra- 
venna, where he remained for one summer. Thence 
he went to Casenovia and purchased the Edward 
Ilayward mill, where iiis usual success attended 
him during his two years' stay. His restless ambi- 
tion, however, induced him to again dispose of his 
property, after which he located on Half Moon 
Lake. After one year spent at that place, he went 
to Baile}' and built one of the largest mills in 
northern Michigan, which he conducted for two 
}-ears. Later he resided at Nunica, Ottawa Count}', 
and subseciuently eng.aged in the manufacture of 
shingles on Rogue River. 

After having s[)ent twelve months in liie last- 
named place, Mr. Patterson disposed of his inter- 
ests there and removed to Girard, Kan., where he 
engaged in farming. Like many others who set- 
tled in the Sun (lower State at that time, he soon 
discovered that farming operations there proved 
very unsuccessful, owing to the hot winds and the 
destrucliveness of grasshoppers. As a result of 
these causes, he met with the entire loss of all his 
[uoperty, and after a two-years sojtmrn in Kansas 
returned to .Michigan. In this State he located on 
a farm ten miles east of Grand Rapids, where he 
remained about one year, going from there to a 
farm in Moorland Township. I' pon property pur- 
chased in this township he conducted agricultural 
operations on an extensive scale, and in conncclion 
with his fanning interests he built and conducted 
a large lumber and shingle mill. 

Mr. Patterson possessed indomitable pluck and 
energy, and we find him in 1877, less than two 



232 



PORTRAIT AKD BIOGRArmCAL RECORD. 



j'ears after his return from Kansas, with his for- 
tune so far retrieved that he was the owner of a fine 
farm and a large milling interest. His business 
here proved very successful and he made this his 
permanent home. He was married July 19, 1865, 
to Lovisa, daughter of John W. and Elizabeth Tib- 
bitts, natives of New York. The marriage resulted 
in the birth of three children, one of whom, Ethel 
May, is deceased. Ella P^rances and Ellmer Frank- 
lin are twins, the former being the wife of Thomas 
Workman, of Moorland Township; the son mar- 
ried Mary McMillan and makes his home in Moor- 
land Township. In the summer of 1891, Mr. Pat- 
terson returned from an extended tour through 
the South, where he had looked up a new location 
for milling operations. He was making arrange- 
ments to return to the South, when a brief and un- 
expected illness resulted in his death. He possessed 
many sterling and generous qualities, and his 
friendly and social disposition made him quite 
popular among his acquaintances. 



m 



m^mmp^ 



" UDGE EDAVARD HUNTINGJTON AVYLIE, 
deceased, a citizen of superior judicial 
ability, a jurist of culture and fine attain- 
ments who, with honor and distinction, for 
twenty years presided in the Probate Court of 
Muskegon County, Mich., and, a long-time resi- 
dent of the city of Muskegon, held with able fidel- 
ity' various official positions of trust and, a liberal- 
spirited citizen, was mourned as a public loss 
when, upon April 27, 1882, he was suddenly- taken 
ill while at work in his oHicc. He was removed 
to his home and died the same evening. Our 
subject, born in Lebanon, Madison County, N. Y., 
December 8, 1819, was the son of Capt. Moses 
and Mary (Clark) Wylie. The mother was the 
daughter of Dr. John Clark, a physician of emi- 
nence, and the granddaugliter of Dr. John Clark, 
Sr., whose mother was the sister of the celebrated 
divine, Jonathan Edwards. The remote W3'lie 
ancestors were natives of Scotland, sturdy, self-re- 



specting men and women of rectitude and thrifty 
industr3\ Judge Wylie belonged to the Hunt- 
ington family', wliich contained manj' distinguished 
names. Theodore D. Weld, the famous Abolition- 
ist, was a cousin, also Grace Greenwood, the well- 
known authoress. The Clarks were originally 
from England, but, emigrating in a verj' early day 
to America, founded in this country a branch of 
a famil>' noted for its culture and piety. 

Our subject, throughout his life a great reader, 
was educated in the schools of Lebanon and Utica, 
the days of his boyhood being spent in the two 
places. Arriving at manhood, he engaged in 
mercantile business in his native State and bad 
attained to twent3'-six years when, in 1843, he 
followed the tide of emigration to the farther 
West and settled in Kent Count3', Mich., where he 
devoted himself to agricultural pursuits. In 1849 
Judge W3'lie removed to Muskegon and here be- 
came interested in lumbering, but later again em- 
barked in mercantile business, iu which he con- 
tinued for a few years. Politically a stalwart 
Republican, our subject soon became a leader in the 
local councils of the party and received at their 
hands the oflSces with which he was honored, and 
which he b3f his efficient discharge of dut3' hon- 
ored. Judge W3'lie first received an important 
political promotion as County Treasurer, and for 
several 3ears was in charge of the mone3'S of 
Muskegon Count3', which he handled with a clear 
judgment, financial ability- and sterling intcgrit3' 
which gained him the good-will and respect of his 
fellow-citizens. He was also County Clerk and in 
this capacity became widely known. Elected 
Judge of Probate, our subject for nearly a score of 
3'ears aided in the administering of estates and 
ever sought conscientiously' to award all property' 
so that it should subserve the ends of right and 
justice. 

On November 22, 1859, Edward Huntington 
Wylie and Miss Eliza Mountene3', a native of 
England, were united in marriage. The union 
was blessed by the birth of four children, three 
of whom are living, one daughter and two sons: 
Mai3- A., at home; ,\lfred Weld and Vernon 
Huntington. The Judge was a faithful attendant 
at the Congregational Church. Mrs. Wylie resides 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



2SS 



in a pleasant home at No. 102 West Clay Avenue, 
Muskegon, and in the hour of her bereavement 
received from her many friends, tried and true, 
the sineerest sympathy. Eleven years have passed 
since our honored subject was suddenly called 
from his life work, but his memory is green in the 
hearts of all who knew him and bore him respect 
for his many virtues and genuine worth. 



•8^=-»; 



/ ■{•^•S-^* 



4^^ ETII D. ESTES, who is now living a retired 

^^ life in Muskegon, Mich., claims Maine as 

|l/_^/ the State of his nativify, liis birtli iiaving 

" occurred in Pownal, Cumberland County, 

on April .'), 1828. His father, Seth D. Estes, 

was also born in the Pine Tree State, and there 

spent his entire life. His wife, Mrs. Sarah Estes, 

was also a native of IMaine. Tlie ancestors of the 

family came from England, and located in this 

country prior to the Revolution. 

Our subject spent the days of his boyhood and 
youth in the county of his nativity and the com- 
mon schools afforded him his educational privi- 
leges. In March of 1868 he follovved Horace 
Greeley's advice to young men and came lo the 
West, locating in Muskegon, Mich., where he 
has since made his home on his [irosent homestead. 
For a number of years he was employed as an 
engineer and then embarked in tlie manufacture 
of boilers, whicli he continued for some time. 
Later he laid out and platted the Estes Addition 
to tlie city and now owns several good lots and 
residences in Muskegon. His proi)erty yields to 
him a good income. 

Ere leaving his native State, Air. Estes was 
married. In 1848 he was joined in wedlock with 
Miss Artemesia Libb}', a native of Maine, and 
a daughter of Abraham Libb}'. The union of this 
worthy couple has been blessed with a family of 
twelve children, nine boys and three girls, of whom 
six sons are now living, as follows: Alfred L., 
A. True, Simeon, Abram I.., diaries F. and Seth 



Lincoln. Mr. and Mrs. Estes have also an adopted 
daughter, Cora J., whom they took wlien she was 
about two years old. She is now the wife of 
O. B. Taylor, of Muskegon. Our subject and his 
wife reside at their pleasant home at No. 10 Estes 
Street. The hospitable dwelling is ever open for 
the reception of their friends, who are man}'. 

Mr. Estes was one of the boys in blue during 
the late war. He had watched with interest the 
progress of events prior to the struggle and re- 
solved if secession was carried into effect he would 
strike a blow in defense of the Union. So in 
1861, prompted by patriotic impulses, he enlisted 
in Company I, Twenty-fifth Maine Infantry. The 
regiment was assigned to the army of the Potomac 
and was engaged in guarding railroads and in 
doing picket duty. In July, 1863, Mr. Estes was 
mustered out in Portland, Me. In politics he is a 
supporter of Republican principles, but has never 
sought or desired the honors or emoluments of 
public oHice, preferring to devote his time and 
attention to his business interests, in which he 
has met with success. His prosperity is all due to 
his enteri)rise and good business ability and is 
therefore well deserved. He is now in comfort- 
able circumstances and has enough to keep him 
through his remaining years without further labor. 



^> 



^AMKS II. WILLIAMS, resident manager 
and number of the firm of C. (!. Alley <t 
Co., large lumber dealers of While Lake, and 
also interested in various other financial 
enterprises, has for the p.ast two years been Presi- 
dent of the \'illage Council of Wliiteliall, Muske- 
gon Count}-, Mich. Mr. Williams was born in 
Utica, N. Y., February 111, 1848. His father, Or.sa- 
mus Williams, was born in tiiesame house in I'tica 
in 1809. and was tiie sun iif Selna Williams, a na- 
tive of Vermont. Tiie gieat-giandfather was a 
Welshman by birth, but, emigrating to the L'liited 
States in a very early day, settled in New England. 
Grandfather Sebra Williams, a shoemaker by trade, 



234 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



removed when quite young to Utica, and carried 
on slioemaking, but, owning a farm of eighty acres 
near tlie city, finally retired to his homestead, 
where he died at the age of eighty- years. The old 
farm then came into the possession of Orsamus, 
who lived on it until 18G5, when he removed to 
Michigan, and located on a farm near Law ton, in 
Van liurcu County. For fifteen or twenty years 
prior to this time, the father was a large and 
prosperous stock-drover, huying in tiie West and 
driving the cattle through to the Eastern markets. 
He was said to be one of the best judges of stock 
in the country, and made a fortune in the busi- 
ness, but afterwards lost heavily bj' a dishonest 
partner. While in New York State Orsamus 
Williams served faithfully as Assessor, and w.as for 
many years (Supervisor in Lawton, where he died 
in 1874. 

The mother of our subject, Abigail (Howlet) 
Williams, w.is born in Oswego, N. Y., in 1808. 
She was a most estimable woman, beloved by all 
who knew her, and passed a\v,ay mourned by many 
friends in 1891, at the home of a daughter in 
Lawton. The parents were blessed with a family 
of four sons and four daughters, our subject being 
next to the youngest in order of birth. Adelia mar- 
ried James Nash, and lives on the Lawton home- 
stead. Nelson H., enlisting in the late Civil War, 
in the One Hundred and Forty -seventh New York 
Infantry, was wounded at Gettysburg, taken pris- 
oner and thrown into Lihby, where he s[)cnt three 
months. At the expiration of this time transferred 
to Anderson ville, he remained eight months in that 
prison, and, denied medical attendance, suffered 
conslanlly from his wounds. Weighing one hun- 
dred and sixty pounds when captured, he was 
reduced to seventy-five jrouiids after his eleven 
montlis in the rebel prisons, and three years later 
died from the exposure and privations liien en- 
dured. Sarah Williams, the .second sister, died 
when twenty years of age. Elon 1\. also passed 
awa}- at twenty. Henry S. graduated from Hills- 
dale College and went to South Dakota, where he 
is now a leading politician, and editor of the 
Abeidcen Daily Neirs. [le was for some years in 
the Government J>and Office in Aberdeen, and 
served ably as Treasurer of Brown Count3'. Laura 



Williams married Seymour Winters, a farmer of 
Lawton, Mich. Edna A. became the wife of Scott 
Catsner, a successful agriculturist residing near 
Lawton. 

Our subject was about sixteen years old when 
with his parents he emigrated to Michigan. Until 
nineteen he remained upon the home farm, assist- 
ing in the daily round of cares. He received his 
education mainly in Hillsdale College, and when 
twenty-one years of age came to AVhitehall without 
capital save youth, energj-, and determination to 
make his upward way in life. Having w^orked his 
passage as far as Grand Haven, and arriving in 
the latter city without a cent in his pocket, Mr. 
AVilliams walked the twenty- eight miles to White- 
hall, his lunch upon the way consisting of a few 
diy crackers. Receiving immediate employment 
with Charles H. Cook, the lumberman, our subject 
began piling lumber on the docks, which he con- 
tinued throughout the summer, in the winter 
cooking in one of the lumber camps. For three 
years he did anything his hands could find to do, 
and worked both about the sawmills and in the 
camps. In 187a Mr. Williams again entered the 
employ of Charles H. Cook as foreman of his 
mill, and remained in that capacity the succeeding 
nine jears. In 1884, our subject, taking a new 
departure, engaged in the general insurance busi- 
ness, under the firm name of Johnston & Will- 
iams, and in 1892 succeeded to the business 
which he 3'et conducts, as well as engaging in bis 
lumber business with C. G. Alley & Co., in which 
firm he has had an interest for some three years. 
In addition to his other enterprises Mr. Williams 
was for some time interested in a furniture and 
crockery store in Montague. 

In the fall of 1872, James H. AVilliams and Miss 
Minnie Moshier, of Lawton, were united in mar- 
riage. Thisestimable lady died in February, 1874, 
without issue. In 1878, our subject a second time 
man ied, entering the bonds of matrimony with 
Miss Estella Reynolds, a teacher of Montague. 
She died in December. 1880, while on a visit to a 
brother in Paw Paw, and passing aw.ay after an 
illness of three days left no children. December 
1, 1888, Mr. Williams married his present wife, 
Miss Bi;lle .Mcllattie, daughter of John Mcllaltie, 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPIUCAL RECORD. 



235 



a Scotchman by birth, and the proprietor of a 
Hourmiil at Cedar Spi-jngs. Tliis union has been 
blessed by the birth of one child, a son, Husscll II., 
now about nine months old, and the pride of the 
household. Fin.-incially prospered, our subject in 
addition to his other extensive business interests 
o|)erates a large farm, and is likewise interested in 
tlie summer resort, Nahant Heach. Politically, our 
subject has been a life-long Republican. Frater- 
nally, he is a member of the Ancient Free & 
Accepted M.asons, a Knight Templar and a iShriner. 
He is also a Knight of Pythias, and, widely known 
as a business man of ability and sterling integrit}', 
commands the esteem of his fellow-citizens, with 
whom he is identified in every piililic enti'rprise of 
importance. 



G^ 



/p^EERIIARD RENNIXK, the energetic and 
||[ (— , successful dealer in choice family groceries 
^^giilj and fruits, has been a highly respected 
citizen of his present locality. Muskegon. Midi., 
since 1866, and since 1885 has prosperously con- 
ducted his present business, enjoying a trade sec- 
ond to none in the city. Aside from a com- 
plete assortment of line groceries, Mr. IJennink 
profitably handles feed, and controls a large cus- 
tom in this department of his business. From his 
earliest residence in the Wolverine State our sub- 
ject has been inliiiiately associated with the pro- 
gressive interests of Muskegon, and in 1889, elected 
Alderman from the Sixth Ward, discharged the 
duties of his ollice with fidelity to his constitu- 
ents and to the general satisfaction of the pul)lic. 
IJorn in Prussia, (iermany, February 0, 18.3!), Oeer- 
hard Hennink was the son of .lolin II. and Tnide 
A. (Crabbcn) Hennink, both natives of Germany, 
upright and industrious people, who, reared and 
educated in their native land, there made their 
home after marriage and trained to habits of 
thrift and industry the sons and daughters who 
blessed their union. The father, by occupation a 



farmer, year after year tilled the soil, and finally 
at an advanced age passed awa}' among the famil- 
iar scenes of his youth. 

Our subject received a gdod coiiiinon-Mliodl 
education in the excellent schools of his native 
land, and during his boyhood assisted his falhei- 
in the work of the farm. At the age of eighteen 
years he was apprenticed to learn the trade of ;i 
carpenter. Five years later, in 18G;$, l>id(liug .■i<lieu 
to the familiar scenes of youth, Mr. Hennink em- 
barked for America, and after a .safe voyage landed 
in New York and journeyed at once to the far- 
ther West, locating in Indianapolis, Iiid.. where 
he found ready occupation as a carpenter and 
builder. In 1866 our subject removed to Mich- 
igan and, .settling in Muskegon, here learned the 
business of a millwright and worked for several 
j'ears in the large lumber-niills, continuing in the 
duties of a millwiight until the spring of 1«85. 
Mr. Iicnnink then opened a grocery and feed store, 
and by unremitting attention to llie demands of 
a large and rapidly increasing trade has won his 
upward way to a comfortable coiii|)etence, and, 
financially prospered, is numbered among the lead- 
ing business men of the city. Politically a Re- 
pulilican and an ardent advocate of the party, our 
subject was elected as a candidate on that ticket 
as Alderman of his ward, and has long taken a 
high pla(« in the local councils of his party. 

August 20, 1867, were united in marriage Geer- 
hard Hennink and Miss Catherine Herghiiis, a 
daughter of Simeon Hergliuis, a courageous sol- 
dier serving with fidelity under Napoleon. Mrs. 
Hennink was born in Holland, but her mother, 
Margaret (Pieiet) Hergliuis, was the daughter of 
Peter Pieret, a Frenchnian. The estimable wife 
of our suliject passed the d.•l^s of girlhood in Hol- 
land and received her education in the schools of 
her native land. Emigrating to America in 1867, 
she landed in New Voik, and then journeved di- 
rectly to .Muskegon, where she was at once married 
to Mr. Hennink by the Rev. Mr. Hubolt. Sixchil- 
dren, of whom but two survive, have brightened 
the home. .lolin H. runs a feed store in Muske- 
gon, and Margaret clerks in her father's siroeery. 
Mr. and Mis. Hennink are devout menibeis of 
the Fourth Street Holland Church, and live at 



236 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



No. 42 Mason Avenue, a desirable residence lo- 
cality. They are active in the religious work and 
benevolent enterprises of their denomination, and 
are highly esteemed by a large acquaintance. 



gig-^'-l^lia^^i^ 




^., SAHEL G. HOPKINS, M. D., a prominent 
(@^JI| physician and surgeon, residing at No. 171 
li Pine Street, Muskegon, Mich., has been 
intimately associated with the growth 
and history of the State for more than a half- 
century, and is in fact one of the medical pioneers, 
well known and highly regarded. Our subject is 
a native of the Empire State and was born in 
"Washington County September 3, 1819. His fa- 
ther, Martin Hopkins, a native of Rhode Island, 
passed away in New York, at the age of seventy- 
eight years. He was a brave soldier of the War 
of 1812, and by occupation was a farmer, prosper- 
ously tilling his fertile fields. The Hopkinses came 
of a long line of distinguislied English aucestr}', 
whose descendants, locating in tlie United States, 
have with ability fllled many important positions 
of trust. The mother, Mary (Pettis) Hopkins, 
died when Asahel G. was but six years of age. She 
was the daughter of Matthew Pettis, and a woman 
of efficiency and fine character. Dr. Hopkins was 
educated in his birthplace and completed his pre- 
paratory studies in Shelby Academ}', Washington 
County, N. Y., and later read medicine with Dr. 
Savage and Dr. Freeman Hopkins. In 1840, emi- 
grating to Michigan, he settled in Otsego, Allegan 
County. After arriving in the Wolverine State, 
he read medicine with Dr. Carr, of Whitehall, and 
took a course of medical lectures in Detroit. In 
1846 he moved to Kalamazoo and followed con- 
tracting and building. 

Some time later, during 1873 and 1874, our sub- 
ject took a second couise of lectures in Detroit, at 
the Homeopathic College, and from 1876 to 1877 
studied in the Cincinnati Eclectic Medical Insti- 
tute. In 1861 Dr. Hopkins, in connection with 
C. C. Weeb, enlisted in the service of the Govern- 



ment and joined Company E, Thirteenth Michi- 
gan Infantry, organized by Col. Charles C. Stewart, 
and was assigned to the Armj^ of the Potomac. 
Our subject was commissioned Lieutenant of a 
company which he had recruited, and with the 
command actively participated in the battles of 
Vicksburg Landing and Shiloh, and was injured 
Jul}- 17, 1862, on the march between Moorville 
and Decatur. On that account he was assigned by 
Geu.Buell, in September, to the camp and barr.icks 
at Nashville, Tenn., and remained there until 
honorably discharged, Maj- 16, 1863. At the close 
of the war returning to Kalamazoo, he then located 
in Decatur, but in 1866 made his home at White- 
hall, Muskegon County, where he engaged' in 
merchandising and was elected .Justice of the Peace, 
at the same time studying medicine under Dr. 
Carr. After graduating from the college in Cin- 
cinnati, Ohio, the Doctor located in Decatur, Mich., 
where he remained in general practice until 1882, 
when he removed to Muskegon, conducting a gen- 
eral practice, and making a specialty of chronic 
diseases. In 1884 our subjecterected the Invalids' 
Home at Muskegon and superintended the insti- 
tution with great success until 18!>1, when the 
building was destroyed by fire, Jlay 16. 

Dr. Hopkins immediately rebuilt on the same 
site and established the well-known and prosperous 
Hopkins' Sanitarium, conducted on eclectic-elec- 
tro homeopathic principles. The building has 
a fine frontage of forty-four feet and is eight 
rods in depth, well lighted, and conveniently ar- 
ranged for the care of the sick and suffering. Our 
subject is a valued member of the State Medical 
Association and is likewise a member of the Am- 
erican Association of Official Surgeons. Frater- 
nally, he is connected with the Ancient Free & Ac- 
cepted Masons, belonging both to the Sir Knights 
and the Royal Arch Masons. He also affiliates with 
the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and is a 
member of the Good Templars, and was associated 
with the first Grand Lodge of the order. Politi- 
cally a stalwart Republican, he cast his first Presi- 
dential vote for Gen. William II. Harrison and also 
voted for Ucnjamin Harrison. In February, 1841, 
were united in mariiage Asahel G. Hopkins and 
Miss Charity S. Brown, of Lyons, Wayne County, 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPIUCiVL RECORD. 



237 



N. Y., and a daughter of Ephraim Brown, a native 
of- Connecticut. August 8, 1890, the estimable 
wife of our subject passed away, mourned b}' many 
friends. She was the mother of five children, 
three of wlioni are living, two sons and one daugh- 
ter. Olin is located in Muskegon; Asahel (!., Jr., 
was the fiftli-born; Frankie is the wife of IJcn- 
jamin Bray, of Idaiio. Dr. IIoi)kins has a store of 
interesting reminiscences of tlie early days wlien he 
settled in Kalamazoo, before there was a railroad 
in the county. Known throughout the State, our 
subject comniands the confidence and best wishes 
of a host of friends, man}' of whom have recui)er- 
ated from ill-healtii under his faithful care. No- 
vember 5, 1892, our subject was married to Miss 
Isabella Bou<jhton. a native of New York. 



i^'^^r^m^- 




ATRICK J. CONNELL. In a city of the 
rapid growth and development of Muske- 
gon, the importance of the line of industry 
in which Mr. Connell is engaged cannot 
be overestimated. To the contractor and builder 
in effect, conjointly with the architect, belongs 
the task of imparting to tlie city that appearance 
of soliditj', wealth, refinement and comfort which 
at once stamps its citizens as progressive and en- 
terprising. In a work which has for its object a 
comprehensive review of the leading enterprises 
of Muskegon, Mich., it is highly important that 
special attention should be devoted to those great 
artisans whose skill and labor have been utilized 
in the construction of her buildings and public 
institutions; and foremost among the number is 
our subject, who has been closely identified with 
the rise and prftgress of tlie city. l\Ir. Council is 
senior nu'inl)er of the firm of P. J. Connell it Son, 
contractors and builders of Muskegon, Mich. 

Patrick J. Connell was born in Ireland Septem- 
ber 25, 1840, to the union of .lames and Mar}' 
(Malone) Connell, natives also of the Green Isle 
of Erin. The father followed the trade of Iniilder 
in his native country, but liuaily, growing restive, 



bade adieu to friends and scenes long loved and in 
1842 pitched theliousehold tent in Canada. From 
there he moved to the city of New York, remain- 
ing there for some time, and then moved to Os- 
wego, N. Y., where his death occurred in Aug- 
ust, 1847. His wife survived him until March, 
1881, her death taking place in Ottawa County, 
Mich. She was the daughter of Thomas Malone. 
Thirteen children were born to Mr. and Mrs. 
Connell. six of whom are living at the present 
time, and all honored and esteemed citizens iu 
the communities in which they make their homes. 

Patrick .1. Connell, the j'oungest of the above- 
mentioned children, was left fatlierless at a tender 
age and was soon thrown on his own resources. 
He came to Ottawa Countj', Mich., and all the 
schooling he obtained was before he was nine 
3'ears old. Later, he spent some time in Grand 
Haven and went from there to Spring Lake, where 
be was emploj'cd in a sawmill, finally going to 
Detroit, where he engaged with Manly D. Rich- 
ardson, learning the mason's trade there. In 1860, 
he went South to New Orleans, but the Civil War 
breaking out, he returned North, and in 1861 en- 
listed in Companj' G, Fifth Michigan Infantrj'. 
After serving tiiree months he was honorablj' dis- 
charged for disability and went to Chicago, where 
he was married to Miss Maria J. Loone}', of that 
place. There they made their home until 1870, 
when they went to Grand Haven, Mich. In 1874, 
Mr. Connell removed to Muskegon, IMicli., and is 
now one of the leading contractors and builders 
of this cil}'. He is a popular and public-spirited 
citizen and is worth}' the large measure of success 
achieved in this dillicult, yet so vitally essential, 
branch of skilled industry. He has made a prom- 
inent record in contract work, having erected the 
opera house. Occidental Building, Chase piano 
works, Alaska refrigerator works, Kelly Brothere' 
factory, the iron and steel works, city water works, 
the Sheriff's residence and jail and the new court 
house. 

.lolin .1. Connell, son of our subject, was born in 
Chicago in 18.56, and learned the mason's trade in 
boyhooil. Ill April, l«!il, he became a partner, 
making llie aliove lirni P. .1. Connell A- Son. They 
employ over fifty men, have $8,000 invested iu 



238 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



modern building appliances, and annually dis- 
burse about §20,000 in wages alone, which goes 
towards Muskegon's upbuilding. Our subject, the 
senior member of the firm, and his son were the 
contractors and builders of the new court house 
at Muskegon, the same being erected in 1893. In 
connection with his building interests, Mr. Cou- 
ncil is engaged quite exleusivel}- in handling 
stone, brick and cement, and has a good office, 
well fitted for his business. He is one of the most 
successful and prominent business men of the 
city. 

In politics, Mr. Connell formerly advocated the 
principles of the Democratic partj-. He is now a 
stanch Prohibitionist, and for the past eight years 
has been Treasurer of the Grand Lodge of Good 
Templars of the State. He was a delegate to the 
Right Worthy Grand Lodge of Good Templars at 
Des Moines. At present he is Treasurer of the Em- 
ens Brick & Tile Company, Director of the Cap- 
ital and Chattanooga Building and Loan Associ- 
ations, President of the Curtis Automatic Railroad 
Gale Comi)any (the capital stock being §60,000), 
and a stockholder in the Iron and Steel Company. 
Mr. Connell holds menil)ersliip in the St. Mar3''s 
Catholic Church and contributes liberally to its 
support. He has an elegant residence and is the 
owner of much good property. 



,LE E. GORDON. Muskegon County num- 
bers among her honored citizens and indus- 
trious agriculturists manj- sons of Norwa3' 
and Sweden, and to them is due in no small de- 
gree the development of this region. For many 
years Mr. Gordon was identified with the history 
of Fruitland Township and was one of the oldest 
settlers of the count}'. He was born in the western 
part of Norway in 1821), and was one of sixteen 
children, whose parents were Andrew and Mary 
Oleson. He was reared to manhood on a farm and 
from early j-outh earned his own living by work- 



ing for neighboring farmers. Though his father's 
family was large, the children were given good 
educations. 

Mr. Gordon was an ambitious young man and 
determined to try his fortunes on tlie Western 
Continent. Accordingly in 1849 he bade adieu to 
the friends of his youth and after his arrival in 
the United States at once proceeded to Michigan. 
He located in Fruitland Township before its or- 
ganization, and entered a portion of Government 
land, which, witli characteristic energy, he pro- 
ceeded to clear. The following ten j'ears of his 
life were years of hard labor and unremitting toil, 
as much of that time he was employed in logging 
camps. 

It was in 1859 that tiie first marriage of Mr. 
Gordon was celebrated, Miss Ilanna Brady, of Oce- 
ana Countj', becoming his wife. After her death 
he wedded Miss Emily Halvorson, who was born in 
Norway. Her parents, Hal vor and Emily Halvorson, 
likewiseof Norway, emigrated to the United States 
at an early da}', settling in Wisconsin. The father 
died soon after his arrival of that dread epidemic, 
cholera, after a sickness of only twenty-four hours. 
Some years later the mother came to live at the 
home of our subject, where she died after attain- 
ing the age of sixt^'-eight 3'ears. Mrs. Gordon, 
who was one of nine children, became the mother 
of two sons and two daughters. One died in in- 
fancy, while those living are Harrison E., Ida G. 
C. and Emalinda O. 

For a number of years Mr. Gordon held the 
office of Supervisor and filled other local positions. 
He was the first Treasurer of Fruitland Township 
and was faithful to that trust for tliirteen j'ears. 
He was a member of the county Grange, and with 
his wife was one of tlie workers in the Lutheran 
Church. His ballot was deposited for the Repub- 
lican nominees, and he was ever to be counted on 
to support just and upright measures. His well- 
improved farm, one hundred and twenty acres of 
which he entered from the Government, he cleared 
himself, making many sul)stantial improvements 
upon it. In addition to this he owned tracts of 
land in many places, nnd at the time of his death 
was possessed of considerable wealth. He was 
called from this life in 1889, leaving a host of 



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RrSiDEUCL or EMILY E. GO RD ON , o PC . 13. f KUIT; Al!D TfV. .V.UiiKF.oOll CO., MICH. 







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. ^ i_ - . - ■> . 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



241 



friends and neiglihors wlio have missed iiini in tlie 
various waliis of life. He was one of tlie earliest 
settlers of the county, and was well worthy of a 
representation in the history of its pioneers. 



■ M M I I p t I >■ I >■ 



/^EORGE A. J.ATHAM. The gentleman 
III (— , whose name introduces this sketch is in- 
^^( telligent and enterprising, and from l)oy- 
hood has been interested in agricultural pursuits. 
He has spent many years of his life in tilling and 
cultivating the soil, and is now in comfortable cir- 
cumstances. As one of the first settlers of Allen- 
dale Township, he has for j'ears been closely asso- 
ciated with the progress of Ottawa County. Born 
in the State of New York, he is a son of John and 
Mary (Osborne) Latham, who were also natives of 
the Empire State. Grandfather Kellogg Latham 
was a soldier in the War for Independence, and 
John Latham was an active participant in tlie War 
of 1812, being stationed in Connecticut. The ma- 
ternal grandfather, Israel Osborne, was also a Revo- 
lutionary soldier. He reared a large famil3', as 
did also Kellogg Latham. 

John Latham was a carpenter and joiner by 
trade, and when the subject of this sketch was 
about seven years of age he removed to Welling- 
ton, Ohio, and there lie followed his trade until be- 
coming quite advanced in years, when he aban- 
doned carpentr}" to take up farming. He contin- 
ued thus engaged until his death, which occurred 
about 18.j1, Ills wife having died about 1^S;J.^. 
They were the parents of three children: Julia, 
deceased; George A., who was born .September 
5, 1821); and Clarissa, wife of S. E. Turner, of 
Grand Rapids, Mich. Mr. Latham had been mar- 
ried previous to his union with Miss Osborne, and 
by his first wife had become the father of eigiit 
children, as follows: Warren; Kaiicy, wife of 
George Cone; Almira, who married a Mr. Nelson; 
Eliza, the wife of (!. I). Graves; ALary A., Mrs. J. 
Balterson; Charles, Kellogg, and one tliat died 
young. 



George A. Latham was educated in the district 
schools of ()hi(j, and in his youth l)ecaine familiar 
with farm life. At the age of twenty he left the 
shelter of the parental roof. and. coming to Michi- 
gan, remained here from November, 1819, until 
June, 1850, when he returned to Ohio. After re- 
maining in the Ikickeyc State for some time, he 
returned to Michigan, and for eight years thereaf- 
ter made his home in Grand Rapids. During that 
time he was employed in a lumber-mill, and for a 
number of 3'ears afterward he was engaged as fore- 
man for Richard Roberts, who was the first settler 
of the county. In 18G0 he purchased eighty acres 
of timber land and eighty acres of farming land, 
selling one-half of the latter tract to his father-in- 
law, Isaac Tuttle, and disposing of the remaining 
forty acres to G. P. Reed. The first eight^'-acre 
tract he improved, and the larger part of it he has 
sold. For seven j'ears he was engaged in hand- 
ling lumber and timber in his township for Ferry 
cfe Son, of Grand Haven. 

LTpon abandoning that occupation, Mr. Latham 
came to his farm, but shortly afterward went to 
Muskegon, and there worked for his former em- 
ployers from November, 1866, to May, 1869, re- 
ceiving for liis services >ilOO per month. In 1869 
he returned to his farm, where he remained about 
one year. He then commenced contracting with 
Dwight, Cutler & Savage, and for six 3'ears was 
in the employ of this firm. He then again re- 
turned to his farm, and for ten j'ears was success- 
fully engaged in tilling the soil. At that time he 
sold sixty acres of his propertj' and purchased 
forty acres of the land which he now owns, later 
increasing it by eighty acres, which he has since 
sold. He now owiisa sixty-acre farm, which is im- 
proved with a fine residence, good barns and a 
magnificent orchard of many of the best varieties 
of apples, peaches, i)eais and plums, besides hav- 
ing an excellent vineyard and quantities of small 
fruit. Jlr. Latham lias served his township as Su- 
pervisor for tlirce terms, Highway Commissioner 
for twelve years, and is now and for some years 
past has been Director of his school dis-trict. 

The first marriage of Mr. Latham united him 
with Miss Mai'y A. Tuttle, a native of Michigan, 
and a dauglitcr of Isaac Tuttle, one of the pioneer 



242 



POETRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



settlers of the county. To them five children were 
born: Jackson E., of Kendall County, 111.; Edgar, 
Kellogg, Benjamin, and Mary E., deceased. Mrs. 
. Mary A. Latham died in the year 1872, and three 
3'ears later our subject wedded Mrs. Susan M. 
Pixlej', a daughter of Asa Brown. Her parents 
were natives of Canada and Massachusetts, respec- 
tively. Mr. and Mrs. Latham lost their only 
daughter, who died at birth. They now have an 
adopted daughter, Deme B. Latliam. This worthy 
couple are members of tlie Congregational Church. 
Socially, he is a member of Ottawa Lodge No. 122, 
A. F. & A. M. In his political views he has always 
supported the men and measures of tlie Repub- 
lican partj'. 



D^'Y'VC 



OBERT G. WALKER. No industry is of 
such essential importance to every citizen 
i\ as that of the plumber and gas-filter. There 
'^ is no security for the health and comfort 
of the population where the best rules that gov- 
ern sanitar3' plumbing have been overlooked, for 
dread and insidious diseases invariably follow any 
violation of the principles of hygienic plumbing. 
Happily Muskegon numbers among her enterpris- 
ing tradesmen and mechanics some of the most 
reputable and experienced sanitary plumbers in the 
United States. Among the foremost of these is 
Robert G. Walker, whose past success and whose 
present reputation equally attest the superiority 
of his work. 

Mr. AValker opened his e3'es to the scenes of 
this world on the 18th of July, 1850, in Ontario, 
Canada, and is the son of Robert and Jane 
(Mooney) Walker. The father followed the occu- 
pation of a farmer for many jcars and met with 
substantial results. His death occurred in 1868, 
and his wife followed him to the grave in 1891. 
The^' were honest, upright citizens and worthj' of 
the respect and esteem in which they were held. 
Four children were born to their union, our sub- 
ject being the youngest in order of birth. The 




latter was reared on his father's farm, received a 
good practical education in the common schools, 
and later went to London, Canada, where he at- 
tended Jones & Bell's Commercial College until 
1869, when he graduated. 

He remained in his native country until 1872, 
and then crossed the boundary line to the United 
States, settling in Monroe Count}-, Mich. There 
he bought and sold stock and shipped with John 
Stead, of Detroit, Mich. In 1880 he came to Mus- 
kegon and was emploj'ed as book-keeper in the 
plumbing, steam and gas fitting business of John 
J. Howden. He remained with Mv. Ilowden for 
eleven years, and in 1890 embarked in the plumb- 
ing and gas-fitting business for himself. His suc- 
cess is an excellent example of the result of energj' 
and perseverance, and should encourage all who 
are endeavoring to struggle through the difficul- 
ties that surround the starting of a new business. 
He carries a large stock of the finest gas fixtures 
and sanitary plumbing materials, which include 
every article in various styles that can be required 
in the comprehensive business. 

In the month of September, 1877, Mr. Walker 
was married to Miss Etta Trowbridge, a native of 
the Empire State, which she left to come to this 
State with her parents when but a girl. Tiiey 
have two children, Robert and Zula. Mr. AValker 
is a Knight Templar in the Masonic fraternity, 
and a member of Muskegon Lodge No. 92, 1. O. 
0. F. In politics, he is a Republican. 



^^3^ 



J~| AMES MALCOLM. As a progressive and 
successful agriculturist of Tallmadge Town- 
ship, the subject of this sketch is known, 
either personally or by reputation, to all 

the citizens of Ottawa County. During the long 
period of his residence here he has become insep- 
arably connected with the progress of the commu- 
nity', and while advancing his individual interests 
has also aided in developing the resources of the 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



243 



township and county. In connection with agri- i 
culture he lias also followed the trade of acaipen- 
ter, and through the intelligent prosecution of 
these two vocations he has accumulated a compe- 
tency. 

In Canada, August 23, 1826, our subject was 
born to the union of Daniel and Margaret (Cros- 
sett) JIalcohn, the former a native of Scotland, 
while the latter was born in New York, being the 
daughter of James and Margaret (Pescod) Cros- 
sett. The only child of his parents, our subject 
was given every advantage within their power to 
bestow upon him, and for some time he was a stu- 
dent in the common schools of Canada. He was 
emploj'ed on the home farm until he was twenty, 
when he commenced to learn the trade of a car- 
penter, and at the expiration of his apprenticeship 
followed that occupation in Canada for ten years. 

On coming to the States Mr. ^lalcolm sojourned 
for a lime in Grand Rapids, Mich., where he 
worked at his trade for one year. Feeling dissat- 
isfied, however, with the location and prospects 
offered b^' that city, he came to Ottaw^a County, 
where the indications were so favorable that he 
decided to purchase property here. The land that 
he purchased in Tallmadge Township in 18G1 was 
wholly unimproved, and it was onlj- after the 
most arduous efforts on his part that the "wilder- 
ness was made to bloom and blossom as the rose." 
Finally the land was cleared, the soil placed under 
cultivation, suitable buildings erected, and orna- 
mental and fruit trees planted, and the farm now 
ranks among the best in the vicinity. 

At the age of twcnt^'-lhree years Mr. Malcolm 
was united in marriage with Miss Klizabeth Par- 
nielia, daughter of Ebenezer and Sarah (Vincent) 
Stephens, and to this marriage ten children were 
born, as follows: Sarah Ann; Alelhca, who be- 
came the wife of John Yonker and resides in 
Grand Hai)ids; Hhoda; Minerva, the wife of Will- 
iam Schroder and a resident of Grand Rapids; 
George, who died August 24, 1893; James, Kbon, 
Thomas J., Rachel and John. The wife and 
mother died in 1888, mourned by all who knew 
her, but especially by the members of iior family, 
to whom she liarj always been tenderly attached. 
In his political belief Mr. Malcolm always casts his 



ballot in support of Democratic principles and can- 
didates. He has been the incumbent of numerous 
official positions, including the office of Township 
Commissioner, which he has held for four terms. 
Mr. Malcolm's father was twice married; b^y his first 
marriage he had three sons and four daughters, 
all deceased except one son, Jeremiah, who resides 
in Kansas. 



_«?:: 



I cSi 



^i-^-.i^ll^#i^ 



jlEV. ALIJERTUS C. VAN RAALTE, D. D. 

No name is more widel}- known and re- 
f^ spected in Ottawa County- than that of the 

father of the Dutch settlements. He has 
imprinted himself on its history, and a hundred 
years hence his name will stand out in still bolder 
relief than it does to-day; for as the fruition of his 
life becomes more apparent his fame will increase. 
Dr. Van Raalte was a man of commanding appear- 
ance, short of stature, with a wide and thoughtful 
brow; a man of deep convictions and fully pos- 
sessed of the courage of these convictions; a man 
of magnificent education and tireless industry, 
with a will of iron, and a singular magnetism; a 
man born and bred for the leadership of his fellows. 
He w.as born at \Vanneperveen,in the Netherlands, 
October 17, 1811. His parents were Rev. Albertus 
Van Raalte and Christina Catherina Harking. 
Seventeen children were born of this union, of 
whom only four or five survive. 

After the completion of his classical studies. Dr. 
Van Raalte went to the Ihiiversity of Leyden, 
where he became an associate of a few congenial 
students, who had come under the influence of the 
men of the "Revcil," especially of the poet-his- 
torian, W. Bildcidyk. The great struggle for the 
freedom of the church had just commenced when 
Van Raalte graduated, in 1835, from the universit3'. 
He was one of the suspects, and the Provincial 
Ecclesiastical Roard of South Holland refused to 
admit him to the ministry- unless he would 
solemnly promise une<iuivocal submission to tlie 
rules of the church. He refused, and joined the 



244 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



hated "Seceders," who had raised the banner of 
freedom. By them he was ordained to the minis- 
try, and with tlicm lie sliared to the fullest extent 
the cruel persecutions which, to tlie lasting shame 
of Holland, raged against the new movement for 
several years. On that same occasion, in the midst 
of the brethren who met as a free synod at Amster- 
dam in the early summer of 1836, he married his 
estimable life companion, Christina Johanna De 
Moen, a daughter of Benjamin De Moen, a highly 
respected burgher of Leyden, and Johanna Wil- 
helmina Menzel. Of this union several children 
were born, who are highly connected in this com- 
munit}-. 

Early in the '40s a strong migrator}- movement 
began to develop itself in the Netherlands, where 
the situation, both ecclesiasticall}- and socially, 
had grown insufferable. Hundreds prepared to 
leave the Fatherland, and in 184G Dr. Van Raalte, 
who had just passed through a critical illness, 
decided to become the leader of the movement, 
which had the Western States of North America 
for its objective point. He arrived with a large 
compan}' of pioneers, in a comparatively small 
sailing-vessel, "The Southerner," at New York in 
October, 1846; and after a brief delay led his 
followers as far West as Detroit, where they passed 
the first part of the winter. Mr. Van Raalte, himself, 
pressed on, and in the severe winter cold of 1846- 
47 explored the greater part of the present 
Ottawa County, where he was hospitably received 
and aided by the Rev. S. Smith, a missionary of 
the Presbyterian Church among the Ottawas. The 
Indians, well acquainted with the secrets of the 
vast maiden forest, materially aided Mr. Van 
Raalte in his explorations, and lie decided to se- 
lect this spot for colonization. 

Returning to his followers, he reached these 
parts again with a devoted band of pioneers, 
marching single file along Indian trails, on the 9th 
of February, 1847. It is impossible to describe in 
this brief sketch the deadly struggle waged by the 
pioneers with the forest tangles and wild animals; 
with inadequate food and insullicient shelter; with 
summer heat and winter cold; witii the malarial 
effluvia of the swampy forests, and the resulting 
decimating diseases; with homesickness and des- 



pondency, with detractions and evil reports, and 
all manner of discouragement. AVith God's help 
they persisted and jirevailed. Dr. Van Raalte was 
the head and heart of the enterprise, and his death, 
in the earl}- years of the histoiy of the Colonies, 
would have precipitated the whole desperate 
undertaking of the inexperienced and poverty- 
stricken settlers in hopeless ruin and confusion. 

The broad, well-tilled acres, the cozy homes 
nestling against the shoulders of the rolling hills, 
the abundant evidence of affluence and good 
cheer appealing to the eye in every direction in 
the settlements in Ottawa County; the thriving 
cit}' of Holland, Pluenix-like risen in renewed 
beauty from the ashes of the destructive fire of 
1871; the flourishing Hope College, founded by 
Mr. Van Raalte at Holland, and to-day the best 
educational centre of Western Michigan; all these 
bear the imprint of the man and the leader, and 
are the silent witnesses of his signal success. 
Truly this man built better than he knew, and 
succeeded in rearing for himself a mausoleum 
wliicli will outwear the destructive onset of time. 
In 1849, Mr. Van Raalte and his followers joined 
the Reformed (Dutch) Church in America, the 
oldest Presbyterian Church on this continent. 
And in this ecclesiastical connection the settle- 
ments now spread far and wide over our Western 
States have develojjed into a strong branch of 
said church, numbering fifteen thousand communi- 
cants, with one hundred and tliirt}- churches and 
some ninety pastors. 

As a leader Mr. Van Raalte had the gift of won- 
derful versatility and ingenuity; as a preacher he 
excelled in rhetorical power and a clear, anal \'tical 
insight into God's Word and the hidden ways of 
men's hearts. He was a man of power and often 
made his hearers tremble before the majesty of 
God. The University of New York and Rutger's 
College at New Brunswick, N. J., simultancousl}' 
bestowed upon him the title of Doctor of Divin- 
ity. When the War of the Rebellion broke out his 
voice rang out clear and strong in defense of the 
Union, and willingly he gave his own sons for the 
defense and establishment of human rights and 
the life of the Union. His wife passed away, after 
years of suffering under a frail constitution, on 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



245 



the 30tli of June, 1871. This blow, quickly fol- 
lowed by tlie ruinous fire of Holland in October 
of the same _venr, destroyed the remaining strength 
of the man, and he fell into a slow decay, under 
which lie succumbed, after several apparent rallies, 
on the 7tli of November, 187<5, in the midst of the 
bitterly contested general election of that year. 

The strongest proof of his hold on his people 
is, perhaps, the fact that the announcement of his 
death at this critical political juncture paralyzed 
the rancorous party spirit of election daj-, and 
made common mourners of bitter political antag- 
onists. The funeral was the largest ever held in 
Ottawa County, and in his death one passed away 
who is justl}' called ''a man might}- in words and 
deeds." He was one of the pioneers of the State 
a citizen of whom Michigan may justly boast, a 
man of God and a man of men, one of Heaven's 
true noblemen. '■'■Bequiescat in pace." 



d-M-S-S-i 



"*+'H-^ 







LIFFORD 8. GAMBLE, the popular and 
efficient Count}- Surveyor and City Engi- 
neer of Muskegon, Mich., has for a number 
of years been intiiiialel}' associated with the jiiib- 
lic interests of the Wolverine State, hut is a native 
of Washington County, Pa., where he was born 
May 22, 1852. Our subject is the son of Aaron 
and Mary (Shortle) Gamble, both of whom wore 
natives of Pennsylvania. The fatiier, a man of 
learning and culture, was long a prominent i)liy- 
sician of the (Quaker State, and for many years en- 
joyed an extended practice in Pittsburgh, Pa., 
and also in Washington County, where he had a 
host of friends, by whom he was highly regarded 
as a man, citizen and physician. Twice married, 
he survived to many years of usefulness, and 
passed awa}' mourned as a public loss in Washing- 
ton County, Pa. ClitTord S. Gainlilc was the 
youngest son of the (irst niariiagc, and spent the 
days of boyhood in Wa>hington County. There he 
attended school and later entered Hoggs Summit 
Normal School, in Somerset, Washington Countj', 



and obtained a thorough knowledge of civil en- 
gineering. With honor completing a course of 
study, our subject was now prepared to enter with 
confidence upon his career in life as a business 
man. Determined to try his fortunes in the 
broader fields of the West, he bade adieu to his 
early home and the scenes of childhood and jour- 
neyed to Michigan. 

First employed by a railway company, Mr. Gam- 
ble became one of an engineering crew working 
for the Chicago & West Michigan Railroad and was 
soon enabled to render valuable service to the 
corporation. Young, energetic and ambitious, our 
subject allowed no opportunitj' for advancement 
to escape him, and won his way steadily upward 
in the esteem of all who came in contact with him. 
In 1881, locating in Muskegon, Mr. Gamble met 
with encouraging success, and after a time became 
the Assistant City Engineer, a position of respon- 
sibility, which he occupied ably for rrany years. 
While transacting the business of his office he 
made many friends by his courtesy and efficiency 
and gave universal satisfaction to the general 
public. Some time afterward he became associated 
with the Muskegon Improvement Company and 
did the greater part of the surveying and platting 
of Muskegon Heights, one of the handsomest sub- 
urbs of this flourishing city. In 1892 our subject 
was elected on the Republican ticket County Sur- 
veyor, his term of office being two years. In 1893 
he was appointed City Engineer of Muskegon, 
and in his dual work of Surveyor and Engineer 
leaves no duty undone, but, faithful to each trust 
reposed in him, is constantly winning golden 
opinions from his fellow-citizens and the commu- 
nity at large. 

Since accepting the position of City Engineer 
of Muskegon, our subject has rendered invaluable 
service in his depaitiiipiit and made many sugges- 
tions which cannot fail, if acted upon, to redound 
to the gieat benefit of Muskegon and her rapidly 
increasing population. In the year 1890 were 
united in marriage Clifford S. (Jainlile and Mi.ss 
Dora Harrison, an accomplished young lady of 
Muskegon, and the daugliter of William II. Harri- 
son, a leading citizen. Mr. and .Mrs. Camble are 
the parents of a daughter, Maud. Politicall\- a 



246 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



stalwart Republican, our subject is intelligently 
interested in the questions of the day and occupies 
a high place in the local councils of his part^'. In 
their attractive residence, No. 237 .Sixth Street, 
Mr. and Mrs. Gamble welcome numerous friends 
and, social favorites, take an active part in the 
good work and benevolent enterprises of their 
home cit^-. 



♦^^1 



b>^.h; 



11^^ 



^OHN DELANEY. Many of Michigan's 
most enterprising citizens have emigrated 
^^ to the United States from the Green Isle 
^^^ of Erin, bringing with them habits of in- 
dustry, perseverance and economy-. In the various 
occupations and professions they have gained a 
competency, or perchance wealth, while at the 
same time they have established for themselves an 
enviable reputation as citizens. Ottawa County 
contains a large number of farmers whose ancestry 
extends back through a long line of Irish fore- 
fathers, and in this class we present the name of 
John Delane^', an agriculturist residing in Tall- 
madge Township. 

Born on the Emerald Isle in 1831, our subject 
is the son of Daniel and Hannah (Cudhy) Delane}-, 
being their eldest child. At theage of eight years 
he accompanied his parents to America and settled 
with them in Dutchess County, N. Y., where the 
elder Mr, Delaney followed the occupation of a 
gardener. There John grew to manhood, receiving 
a common-school education and afterward learning 
the trade of a blacksniilli. In ISfd, the family 
came to Michigan, and our subject st0|iped at 
Grand Rapids, where he learned the trade of a 
machinist. After spending three years in Grand 
Rapids, he proceeded to Chicago, where he spent 
the three following years. 

From Chicago Mr. Delaney went to tlie "Sunny- 
South," and secured employment in the cit}' of 
New Orleans. So well was he pleased with this 
part of our countrj^, and so profitable did his 
work prove, that he remained eleven years in New 



Orleans before returning to the North, in the latter 
part of 1871. After a visit of one month in 
Slichigan, he once again proceeded Soutliward, 
and continued to live in New Orleans until the 
j-ear 1884. His brother dying in Michigan about 
that time, he returned here in order to serve as 
administrator of the estate, and has ever since 
lived on the farm where he now resides. He 
engages in the cultivation of three hundred acres, 
raising wheat, hay and corn, and marketing his 
products at Grand Rapids. 

In February, 1864, Mr. Delaney was united in 
marriage with Miss Alicia Madeline Prophet, who 
was of English descent. After having become the 
mother of two children, this estimable lad}' passed 
from earth in October, 1868. Mr. Delaney and 
his daughter, Hannah Barbara, reside at the old 
home, surrounded by all the comforts that en- 
hance the pleasure of living. Tliej' belong to the 
Roman Catholic Church, and are firm in their 
allegiance to Ihe doctrines of that religious organi- 
zation. In politics, Mr. Delaney is conservative, 
and usually casts his ballot for the candidate 
whom he deems best qualified for the oHice in 
question, irrespective of political beliefs. 



*^i^^s» 



z' 



)URNETT FULKERSON, a progressive farm- 
er of Muskegon County, and the owner 
!(^)'\i and occupant of a valuable farm consist- 
's-^ ing of one hundred and sixty acres in Cas- 
enovia Township, was born in the village of Mos- 
cow, Hillsdale County, Mich., December 3, 1836. 
He is of German descent and represents a family 
whose members earl}' emigrated to the United 
States, settling in New Jersey. In that State the 
paternal grandfather of our subject was born, and 
thence he removed to Tompkins County, N. Y., 
becoming a pioneer of the town of Dryden, where 
he died in 1833. He and his wife, whose maiden 
name was Sally Cook, were the parents of five 
sons and four daughters who grew to maturity: 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



247 



Silas, Benjamin, Lot, Calvin, Burnett, Jane, Maria, 
Aun and one whose name cannot now be recalled. 
The family has been represented in the various 
wars, and Burnett lost six sons during the Rebell- 
ion, all of them dying in active service. 

The father of our subject, Lot Fulkerson, was 
born in Tompkins County, N. Y., December 23, 
1810, and in his youth learned the trade of a 
millwright, which he followed with considerable 
success. In 18.34 he came to Michigan and set- 
tled in Hillsdale Countj', where he entered and 
improved one hundred and sixty acres of land. 
Later he traded this property for an hotel in Mos- 
cow, and thus became identilicd with the early 
history of that village, of which he was an inllu- 
ential citizen. For two terms he served as Sher- 
iff of Hillsdale County, and in other ways repre- 
sented the people, his ability and energy contrib- 
uting to his success, both in public affairs and 
private life. 

During the Civil War, Mr. Fulkerson, Sr., of- 
fered his service on behalf of the Union, but was 
rejected on account of physical disability. Prior 
to the Rebellion, he was a Democrat in party 
principles, but afterward became identified with 
the Republican party. While serving as Post- 
master at Casenovia, under the administration of 
President Buchanan, he took fort}' or fifty copies 
of the New York Tribune, which he distributed 
among his neighbors. Being requested by the 
Government to either discontinue the papers or 
surrender the oflice, he chose the latter alterna- 
tive. However, he became so indignant at the 
treatment he had received that lie left the Demo- 
cratic party and afterward was a strong Repub- 
lican until late in life, when he afliliated with the 
Greenback party. 

Removing to Casenovia, on the Kent County 
side, in 1849, Mr. Fulkerson entered one hundred 
and sixty acres upon the present site of the vil- 
lage. He erected and managed the first hotel in 
the town, and contributed to the development of 
the place during the earliest period of its history. 
In youth he was a member of the Methodist Kpis- 
copal Church, but afterward rejected Christianity, 
and at the time of his death, April 9, 1888, was 
an admirer of Tom Paine, VoltJiire, Huxley and 



Robert IngersoU. lie wa.s twice married, and by 
his first union four children were born: Saiah, 
now Mrs. Joseph Kies; Harrison, who was killed 
by a falling log at the age of nineteen; Burnett, 
of this sketch; and William II., wlio died at the 
age of thirty-six years. The second wife of Mr. 
Fulkerson was Rebecca Hiser, who died in Kansas 
in 1892. 

Tiie mother of our subject bore the maiden 
name of Maria Swansbrough, and was born in Dry- 
den, Tompkins County, N. Y. .She was twice mar- 
ried, her second union being with Samuel North- 
rop. An active and prominent member of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church, and one of the first 
members of that denomination in Casenovia, she 
was greatly mourned when she passed away in 
November, 1891. Her ancestors were for a few 
generations residents of Vermont, and removed 
from that State to New York. The subject of 
this sketch was educated in Casenovia and for 
three months attended the first school taught in 
this place, R. D. Merritt being the instructor. The 
latter received, instead of monc}', five acres of 
cleared land in return for teaching three months. 

His father giving him forty acres, our subject 
in exchange worked on the home farm one year. 
He has steadily and with perseverance worked his 
way upward, until he now ranks among the pro- 
gressive farmers of the county. For ten years he 
served as Superintendent of the Newa3'go Manu- 
facturing Company, and for the past ten years 
h.is engaged in cutting lumber on his farm. Of 
his property, fifty acres are planted with trees of 
various kinds, including apple, peach and plum. 
He has always refused political honors, but never 
forgets to cast his ballot for the candidates of the 
Prohibition part}'. Sociality, he is identified with 
the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. 

November 25, 1876, Mr. Fulkerson was united 
in marriage witii Miss Eliza Myers, who was born 
in Stark County, Ohio, January 4, 1848. Her 
father, Eli Myers, was born in Maryland, and in 
early life followed tlie trade of a signmakor. 
After his marriage to Miss Susanna Kitch, he re- 
sided in Ohio for a number of years, and thence, 
about 18.53, removed to Indiana, settling in Hunt- 
ington County. In 1809. he removed to lies- 



248 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



peria, Midi., where be resided for three years. At 
the present time he resides upon a farm in Ne- 
waj'go County. He and liis estimable wife are both 
Christians, slie being a member of the German 
Baptist denomination, while he belongs to tiie 
Church of Ciirisl. Tiiey are tiic parents of five 
children: Eliza, Daniel, .Joseph. Mary and Sarah. 
The paternal grandfather of JMrs. Fulkeison was 
Joseph Myers, who passed his entire life in Mary- 
land, his father having emigrated tliitlier from 
German3-. Our subject and his wife are the par- 
ents of two children, Lottie E. and Henry B. 



^^ 




OLON DAGGETT, one of the oldest set- 
tlers of Ottawa Count3% Mich., and an 
(||\/__y) honored resident of Chester Township, 
owning an interest in the old Daggett 
homestead, a finely cultivated farm, improved with 
a large and handsome residence and substantial 
and commodious barns, occupies one of the valued 
landmarks of past experience and present pros- 
perity. Our subject, born in Vermont, was the 
son of Lorenzo and Sophia (Rolfe) Daggett, the 
descendants of highly respected New P^iigland 
ancestry, prominent in the early history- of our 
country. The maternal and paternal grandfathers 
both fought bravely in the War for Independence, 
and the Rolfes trace back their lineage to the 
John Rolfe who married Pocahontas, the daugh- 
ter of the great Indian chief, Powhatan. Lorenzo 
Daggett was a cooper by trade, and, educated amid 
the Green Mountains of liis native .State, had 
arrived at middle age before he decided to follow 
the tide of emigration to the West. In 1838, 
with his family, he journej-edto Michigan, and, lo- 
cating in Ingham County, engaged in farming in 
a sparsel3' settled district, of which Jackson was 
the nearest trading-point. There were no public 
roads leading from tlie farm to Jackson, and tlie 
woods held many wild animals, bears, wolves and 
Other game being abundant. At the expiration 
of eleven years the Daggetts moved to the home- 
stead where our subject now resides. 



At that time the nearest neiglibor. William 
Rogers, was two miles distant, and for some years the 
families did their millingat Grand Rapids. The fa- 
ther continued to make his home upon this farm un- 
til his death, in August, 1856, when he passed away 
mourned as a pioneer citizen, a true Christian and 
sincere friend. He and his estimable wife were 
the parents of nine children, eight of whom lived 
to years of maturit}-. Tlie eldest was Jane S.; 
Emily, deceased, was the wife of William Hiler; 
Solon was the third in order of birth; Orange re- 
sides in Ravenna; George lives in California; Henr^^ 
is likewise a citizen of California; Plunia E. is the 
wife of O. F. Fox, of Ravenna; and M. L. is a 
citizen of California. The mother, after a long 
life of usefulness, entered into rest in 1858. The 
parents were devout members of the Wesleyan 
Methodist Church, in which the father had filled 
various offices. He was polilic.Tlly in early life a 
Democrat, but later became a strong Repuljlicau, 
and was intelligently^ posted in both local and 
national affairs. Solon Daggett received a thor- 
ough English education in the excellent schools of 
Grand Haven and Grand Rapids. At the death 
of his father, he was obliged to return home and 
take charge of the business and the propertj', 
there being quite a large estate. 

Our subject, then but twenty-two years of age, 
managed the various interests, and continued to 
handle the same unreservedly until the death of 
his mother in 1858. Some years later, in 1864, 
Solon Daggett and Miss Mary F>. Williams were 
united in marriage. Mrs. Daggett is a native of 
Erie County, N. Y., and was the daughter of 
Oliver and Mehitable (Austin) Williams, the 
father being a native of Connecticut, while Mrs. 
Williams was one of the first children born in 
Hamburgh, N. Y. Tho Austins were among 
the earl3' settlers of Vermont, and various mem- 
bers of the famil3' served with disliiictioii in the 
War for Independence; others have been favor- 
ably and widel3' known in later d.ays throughout 
the East and West. Mr. and Mrs. Williams, emi- 
grating from the East, located in Michigan in 
1856, and settled in Ottawa County, now a 
portion of Muskegon County. Mr. Williams was 
a farmer, and, surviving until 1868, industriously 







'i^ (/^. ,/t-^^^ 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



tilled tlie fertile soil of the Wolverine Stale. His 
excellent wife, who died in 1886, was a valued 
member of the Jlethodist Kpiscopal Cluirch and a 
devout Christian woman. The five children who 
blessed their home were: !Mary E; Emily L., 
deceased, wife of Walter Cole; Morgan T., a citizen 
of Montana; .John A., residing in Allendale Town- 
ship; and. Joseph A., deceased. The hitter's family 
reside in(irand Rapids. The Williamses from eaily 
days occupied a leading position in Ottawa County, 
and commanded universal esteem. Mr. and Jlrs. 
Daggett, immediately succeeding their marriage, 
settled upon the Daggett homestead, consisting of 
one hundred and twenty- acres, sevent3--five of 
which are under a high stale of cultivation and 
improved with buildings second to none in this 
part of the county. The pleasant home has been 
brightened by the presence of lliree children. 
Emily I. is the wife of H. Merrick; Olivia teaches 
in Whitehall; and Loretta is the 3'oungest-born. Mr. 
and Mrs. Daggett occupy high positions of useful 
influence, are members of the Free-will Baptist 
Church, and are foremost in religious and benevo- 
lent enterprise. Numbered witii the leading fami- 
lies of the count}^ they take a prominent part in 
all matters of mutual welfare. A stalwart Republi- 
can of the township, our subject lias served with 
eflicienc3' for nine years as constable, and in both 
his private life and public work commands the 
high regard of his fellow-townsmen. 




Ottawa Count3-, and is one of the most prosperous 
and progressive general agriculturists in this part 
of the Wolverine State. Mr. Porter is a native of 
New York, and was born in Jladison County Au- 
gust 28, 1832. His parents, Curtis and Hannah 
(Holt) Porter, were natives of New England, the 
12 



father having been born in Connecticut, and the 
mother in New Hampshire. They settled in the 
Empire State some years previous to their marriage. 
The mother of our subject was the second wife of 
the father, who had married in his native Slate 
and by his first wife had two children, David C, 
and Betsey E., Mrs. .John Bennett, both of whom 
are deceased. 

The parents of Mr. Porter were blessed by the 
birth of liiroe children: Henry B., residing in Kent 
County, Mich.; Robert E., deceased; and George 
F., our subject. The father emigrated to Michigan 
in 1847, and settling in Kent County engaged in 
the pursuit of agriculture. He w.asby trade a brick 
and stone mason, and assisted in building the 
Pierce and Taylor Blocks and many of the first 
good houses of Kent Count}-. He resided in Grand 
Rapids until 1865, when he came to this township 
and purchased forty acres of land, on which he re- 
sided until his death, October 30, 1873. His wife 
survived until the 3d of March, 1878. The father 
served with courage in the War of 1812 as Ser- 
geant of his company. He was fraternally con- 
nected with the Masonic order and assisted in the 
organization of the lodge at Lisbon. He and his 
wife were valued members of the Episcopal Church. 
An able ollicial, he held many important public 
offices in Kent County, in all of which he served 
with fidelity and efliciency. 

George F. Porter was educated in Grand Rapids 
Union School. He began life for himself at the 
age of twenty-one as a general farmer on rented 
land in Kent County. He resided in the same lo- 
cality until l,S(!l,aiid beside the i)ursuit of agri- 
culture was for some time employed in gristmills. 
In 18.")7 he purchased the liomostead, consisting of 
eighty acres, then in a wild state, and locating 
thereon in 1861 entered with ambitious enterjirise 
upon its cultivation and improvement. During 
the war he built a good house, and from dawn to 
eve labored to bring the farm up to a profitable 
state of cultivation. Financially- prospered, he 
added to the original property' eighty acres, and 
of the valuable one hundred and sixty acres he 
has one hundred and twenty whose fertile fields 
annually bespeak an abundant harvest. 

Beginning life with little or no moneyed capi- 



252 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



tal, his hope, courage, enthusiasm and tireless in.- 
dustry have wiouglit results of which our honored 
subject may well be proud. A handsome and com- 
modious residence, two large barns and numerous 
outhouses attest the thrift and plenty of the Por- 
ter farm. The second year after coming to this 
locality Mr. Porter had the misfortune to lose his 
team and was then obliged to go in debt for an- 
other. He used oxen at that time, and it was 
five or six j'ears later before he owned his first 
horse. 

In 1855 were united in marriage George F. 
Porter and Miss Delilah E. Champlin, a native of 
Delaware Count}', N. Y., and the adopted daughter 
of Jeffrey C. Champlin, a highly esteemed resident 
of the Empire State. Our subject and his accom- 
plished wife became the parents of nine bright and 
intelligent children, of whom but four lived to 
years of maturity. Eugene A. is a resident of Ches- 
ter Township; Marj' E. is the wife of Robert Lange; 
Ferdinand is a citizen of Kent County; Charles G. 
is attending school. Mrs. Porter, a lady of high 
worth and abilitj', passed away deeply mourned on 
the 2d of November, 1882. She was a member of 
the Free-will Baptist Church and a leader in relig- 
ious work. Upon the 2d of February, 1884, our 
subject married Miss Mary A. Batson, a native of 
this State and a daughter of Aaron Batson, an 
early and highly respected settler of Chester 
Township, who resides upon the place where he 
located in 1850. Mr. and Sirs. Porter have two 
interesting children, Mila H. and Gaylord F. Mrs. 
Porter is a prominent member of the Free-will 
Baptist Church and occupies a leading social posi- 
tion. Our subject is also connected by member- 
ship with the same denomination and is a liberal 
giver in behalf of religious extension and chureh 
work. 

Politically a Democrat, Mr. Porter has served 
with ability upon the township and county com- 
mittees and conventions of the party. In 1863 
he was elected Township Treasurer for one term. 
In 1867 he was chosen Supervisor, and for seven- 
teen years in all, with intermissions, faithfully dis- 
charged the onerous duties of the position. For 
one term he occupied the otHce of Justice of the 
Peace. As State Senator, elected in 1891, he is 



a member of the Committee on Finance and Iligli- 
w.ays of the State and has also served upon other 
important committees, where he has distinguished 
himself by fidelity to his constituents and devo- 
tion to public interests. A self-made man, having 
through his individual efforts won his way up- 
ward,' he has made a record in his private life and 
public service of which his family and descend- 
ants may well be proud. 







so~ 



EONARD EYKE, Secretary of the Maxwell 
Lumber Comjian}- at Muskegon, was born 
in the Netherlands, September 12, 1813, 
being a son of John and Josey (Devries) E^'ke, 
who passed their entire lives in Holland. Leon- 
ard S|)ent the years of his boyhood upon his 
father's farm, and for a time was a student in the 
schools of Zeeland, where he acquired a practical 
knowledge of the Dutch language. Upon attain- 
ing the age of nineteen 3-eurs, he determined lo 
emigrate to the United States, and accordingl}- 
took i)assage upon a vessel bound for America. 
Soon after landing at New York City, he came 
West to Michigan and settled in Jluskegon. 

Here Mr. Eyke secured employment in a saw- 
mill, and for three years was in the employ of the 
firm of Hackley cfe Son, later working for different 
parties. In 1879 he formed a partnership with 
J. L. ISIurray, under the firm title of E3-ke it Mur- 
ray, and for a number of years engaged in the in- 
s[)eclioii of pine liimlier. In 1882, he became 
agent for John Murray &, Co., establishing his 
office at Grand Rapids and remaining thus en- 
gaged for eleven years. Afterward he became 
interested in the firm of Murray, Wilson & Co., 
manufacturers of lumber. 

On the 12lh of M.ay, 1888, the Maxwell Lum- 
ber (,'ompany was incorporated with a capital of 
150,000 and the following ollicers: P. W. Max- 
well, President; J. L. Murr.ay, Vice-President; 
Jlatthew Wilson, Treasurer; and Leonard Eyke, 
Secretary. The office of the company is located at 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPIUCAL RECORD. 



253 



No. 542 West Western Avenue. Tliey de.al in ])ine, 
bcniktck, and other luniliei- .nt wholesale, liaiulling 
about twenty-five million feet annually. Some 
thirty' acres of laml are required for storajje.sis the 
average amount held in stock reaches eight to ten 
million feet. Aliout one thousand feet of dock 
front furnish vessel privileges, and convenient 
side tracks give access by rail. The gentlemen 
forming this companv are energetic and reliable 
business men, thoroughly conversant with all llie 
practical details of this trade. In addition to the 
sale of lumber, they engage extensively in the 
manufacture of lath and shingles. 

In 18(J',) Jlr. E3ke married Miss LenaCowen, of 
Muskegon, Mich., and the}' became the parents of 
two sons, .John and Samuel. After the death of 
Mrs. Lena Eyke, our subject was married, in 1881, 
to Miss Mary Hockaday, a native of England, and 
at the time of her marriage a resident of Chicago. 
One son. William Leonard, Ikis blessed this union. 
In his social relations, Mr. Eyke is identified with 
Muskegon Lodge No. 13.3. A. O. IT. W. In ])ol- 
itics an ardent Democrat, he has always been prom- 
inent in public affairs and has served in numerous 
oHicial i)ositions, inehiding the oIHce of City Tre.as- 
urer, which he tilled for one term. He and his 
wife have a pleasant home at No. 268 West West- 
ern Avenue, in which they cordially welcome 
their hosts of warm i)ersonal friends. 



- -^^r ; 



M>^<^ 



1^ ENKV 1). WKATIIERWAX, formerly the 
J^ .Sheriff of Ottawa County, and now a 
prosperous agriculturist of Georgetown 
Township, was born in Peru, Clinton 
County, N. Y., April 19, 1833, and traces his 
lineage to Oerman^-. His father, .I.acob M., was 
also a native of the village of Peru, and followed 
farming pursuits in New York State and Michigan 
until his death. lie married Miss Ann is Ketchum, 
who was born in New York, of Scotch parentage. 
They were the parents of seven sons and three 
daughters. Ilcnrv I), being the fourth-l)orn. 



When an infant six weeks old our subject was 
taken by his parents to Orleans Count}', N. Y., 
where he remained until he was four years of age. 
Thence he accompanied his parents to Michigan 
and settled in Adrian, where he attended school; 
he was also a student in the Hillsdale College. 
Early in life he learned the trade of a carpenter, 
which he followed in connection with farming. 
In 1859 he went to California, where be remained 
for two years, eng.aged in inill-biiilding. At the 
time when the war excitement had reached its 
highest pitch he returned to Michigan. His 
brothers enlisted in the service and left him to 
superintend the management of their extensive 
lumber interests. He himself did not enlist, al- 
though for a time he was engaged as provost-guard. 

After the close of the war, Mr. Weatherwax 
continued his farming business in Georgetown 
Township, and also dealt extensively in land, 
bu_yiiig and selling property in this and adjoining 
counties. In the mean lime he held responsible 
trusts, such as Township Supervisor, etc. In 1869 
he was elected to the position of Sheriff of his 
count}', and removed to Grand Haven, the county 
seat. He served the people in this capacitj- for 
two terms of two years each, which is the statutory 
length of office for one man. At the expiration 
of his term of office he returned to his farm, 
where he has since resided, engaged in raising 
grain and slock. 

In 1863 Mr. Weatherwax married Miss Adeline 
v., daughter of George and K.icliel F. (Hoyd) 
Taylor, natives respectively of New Hampshire 
and Massachusetts. ^Irs. Weatherwax was born 
in Maine, and came to Michigan when five years 
old, receiving her education in Hillsdale, this 
.State. For five years she was a teacher in various 
parts of this State, and has been a prominent 
factor in the educational affairs of this county. 
She served for two years on the Town Hoard, and 
eight years on the County Hoard, a part of that 
time tieing its Secretary, and also serving as its 
Chairman. She enjoys the distinction of being 
the first lady to hold these positions in the county. 
In her religious convictions, she is a member of the 
Episcopal Church. She has been the mother of two 
I children: Helen, who died in infancy; and Harry, 



254 



yORTEAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



who resides with liis parents. Mrs. Weatherwax 
was appointed by the Congressman of her district 
Delegate to the Woman's Congress that convened 
in Chicago during the World's Fair, in 1893. 

Social!}', the subject of this notice is identified 
with Crescent Lodge No. 322, at Grandville, and 
has held a number of offices in the lodge, being 
one of its prominent members. He is a Repub- 
lican in politics, and has frequently been elected 
upon the ticket of his party to serve in positions 
of prominence. In addition to serving as Sheriff 
for four years, he has been Supervisor for six years, 
and Justice of the Peace for eight years. 




,ORTER P. MISNER, Secretary of the Lake- 
side Manufacturing Conipan}', IMuskegon, 
is a sound and responsible business man, 
and has materially aided in the develop- 
ment of Muskegon's flourishing industries. He is 
a native of this State, born in Kent County Au- 
gust 4, 1841, and the son of Christopher Misner 
and grandson of .Tohn Misner. Christopher Misner 
was born in Canada .July 9, 1806, and there grew 
to mature years. In 1837 he came to Kent County, 
Mich., and became one of the successful farmers 
of that count}', and there his death occurred in 
1892. He had married Miss Sarah Perrin,a native 
of Canada, and the daughter of Thomas Perrin. 
She died in the year 1883, when in her sixty- 
eighth year. Both were most worthy and es- 
teemed citizens of the community in wliich they 
lived and had many warm friends. 

Porter P. Misner, the sixth in order of birth of 
eight children born to tiie above-mentioned couple, 
was reared on his father's farm in Kent County, 
and as soon as his physical strengtii was sufficient 
to enable him to wield the implements of hus- 
bandry, he began contributing to his own support. 
His scholastic training was received in the district 
schools and he continued to attend tlie same, prin- 
cipally in the winter time, until twenty-one years 



of age, thus receiving a good, practical education. 
After leaving the schoolroom he began clerking 
in the hotel at Casenovia and was thus engaged 
for two years. In 1869 he came to Muskegon and 
became a member of the firm of Montague & Ham- 
ilton. 

In the year 1873 he engaged in lumber enter- 
prises of all kinds, in different mills, and assisted 
in organizing the Lakeside Manufacturing Com- 
pany in 1891. He was made Secretaiy of the same 
and has filled that position in a satisfactor}' and 
efficient manner up to the present time. He is 
also Director of the Muskegon Electric Street Rail- 
way, and is emphaticall}' a business man. The 
leading points of his character are energy, quick 
conception and integrity. In his choice of a 
companion he selected Miss Sarah Dow, a native of 
Canada, but a resident of Muskegon County, 
Midi., at the time of their marriage. She was the 
daughter of Lorenzo Dow, also of Canada. Mr 
and Mrs. Misner's union was celebrated on the 12tli 
of June, 1864, and one son, Fred, was the result 
of this marriage. He is now a prominent young 
business man of Muskegon, and is a member of 
the firm of Sliaw & Misner, of that place. 

In his political views Mr. Misner is a Democrat 
and has held a number of political positions. He 
was Treasurer of the village of Lakeside for three 
3'ears and represented the Eighth AVard in the City 
Council, besides holding numerous other positions. 
Socially, he is a Mason and a Knight Templar in 
that organization. He has a pleasant and com- 
fortable home at No. 60 Harrison Street. 



1^ ! ■ I ' » * I fc > fc' 



» » t I « I . I ^ . 



f(_^ OMER H. HAYES. The soil of Michigan 
'^ is in many places peculiarly adapted to 
the raising of small fruits, and many of 
l((g) the most successful citizens now residing in 
the State have secured prosperity through the me- 
dium of this occupation. Fruit-growing is one of 
the prominent industries of Ottawa County, and 
among those who pursue this vocation may 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



255 



bo mentioned Mr. Hayes, who owns eighty acres in 
Tallmadge Township. He is an extensive fruit 
farmer, his specialties being grapes, peaches and 
pears. He lias ten acres planted witli Niagara 
grapes, in tiie raising of which lie has been es- 
pecially successful. 

The family of which our subject is a member is 
of German- Scotch descent, and has been rep- 
resented in America for several generations. The 
parents of our subject. Ira and Roxie (Kawkins) 
Hayes, were natives of Vermont, the former hav- 
ing been born in 1801. The}- had a family of 
thirteen children, tiie third of whom. Homer H., 
was born in Chenango Count}', N. Y., February 
25, 1834. At the age of three jears he was taken 
by his parents to Canada, where he remained until 
be was eighteen, meantime spending his winters 
in the schoolroom and his summers in farm work. 

In 1852 Mr. Hayes came to Michigan and 
settled in Lamont, Ottawa County, where for four 
j'ears he worked as a da}' laborer. Carefully 
saving his earnings, he was enabled at the expira- 
tion of that time to purchase a tract of eighty 
acres and embark in .agricultural pursuits. He was 
unfortunate, however, for during the same year in 
which he bought his farm he was struck by light- 
ning and injured to such an extent that he w.is 
un.able to perform any manual labor for some 
time thereafter. Indeed, he has never entirely 
regained his health and the shock still affects his 
nerves. 

After recovering sufficiently, Jlr. Hayes at- 
tempted to join the Union army, but the physicians 
pronounced him unable to do active service and 
he was rejected. However, he procured permission 
to serve in the tiuartermaster's Department and 
filled that position for eighteen days, when ho was 
taken ill and forced to resign. U])on returning 
home, he and his wife secured positions as attend- 
ants in the Kalamazoo Asylum for tiie Insane, 
where they remained for si.v years. They then 
removed to Muskegon, where Mr. Hayes worked 
at the trade of a carpenter and joiner for two 
years, and afterward conducted a boarding-house 
for three years. Upon coming to Tallmadge 
Township in 1870, he purchased the place where 
he has since resided. 



In 1858 Mr. Hayes married Miss Alcna Small- 
man, and one child, Ilarley II., has been born to 
bless the union. He is a young man of ability, 
and makes his home with his parents. Politically, 
our subject is a Republican, and always advocates 
party candidates and principles. Socially, he be- 
longs to Muskegon Lodge No. 140, A. F. <fe A. JL, 
in which he is prominent. He is not identi- 
fied with any religious organization, but con- 
tributes to the support of the Methodist Epis- 
copal Church, of which Mrs. Hayes is an active 
member. 



!-^+^§ 



ellARLKS II. HILLS, the able Vice-President 
of the Iron and Steel Company, Muskegon, 
Mich., has during his entire life been 
closely identified with the history of his pres- 
ent home city, where he was born December 
24, 1863. His parents, CharlesT. and Jane Hills, 
early locating in the thriving young city of Mus- 
kegon, were soon numbered among the influential 
and leading residents, and while the father at- 
tained to business prominence the mother was 
widely known for her social qualities and accom- 
plishments. The father, a native of Bennington, 
Vt, and born November 14, 1821, lemoved to 
Grand Rapids, Mich., in 1838, being then a bright, 
ambitious and energetic youth of seventeen years.' 

Our subject, Charles II. Hills, received his pre- 
paratory education in the schools of JIuskegon, 
and later entered the State University at Ann 
Arbor, where he pursued his studies for three years, 
and then, returning to Muskegon, became connect- 
ed, in the responsible capacity of assistant book- 
keeper, with the firm of Ryerson, Hills A' Co. He 
was in the employ of the firm for several vearsand 
afterward assumed the duties of book-keeper of 
the lumber firm. 

July 10, 1889, were united in marri.age Charles 
H. Hills and Miss Laura Mcl.eod, of Muskegon, 
and daughter of James McLeod. C)ur subject and 
his cultured wife are the happy parents of a 



256 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



charming little daughter, Julia T. Mr. and Mrs. 
Hills, who occupy a social position of prominence, 
reside in a beautiful home located on the corner of 
Larch and Sanford Streets and there entertain in 
royal style their numerous friends and acquaint- 
ances. 



^•5>+++ 



^•5"5"f4-L 



•{••{••{••{•'^^^•{••{•♦•J'F 




ILLIAM D. KELLY, Secretary of the Mus- 
kegon Chamber of Commerce, and one of 

'^j the representative and public-spirited citi- 
zens, has the honor of being a native of Michigan, 
his birth liaving occurred in Ferrysburg, Ottawa 
County, November 26, 1865. His father was a 
native of New York, but his mother w.as born on 
tiic Emerald Isle. In the family of seven children 
he was the fourth in order of birth. His boyliood 
W.1S passed in his native city, where he acquired a 
good education, being graduated from the High 
School. He afterward served as book-keeper at 
tliat place for nine months, and then came to 
Muskegon to accept a similar position with Dennis 
Smith & Co., one of the principal dr\- -goods and 
house-furnishing firms of Muskegon, in whose em- 
ploy' he remained for two years. 

On the expiration of that period, Mr. Kell^- be- 
came reporter for the Muskegon News, and subse- 
queutl}' became a member of the Simmons ct 
Kinne Manufacturing Companj', wlio did a plan- 
ing-mill and lumber business. For four years Mr. 
Kelly devoted his energies to that enlcri)rise, and 
tlien embarked in the wholesale lumber business, 
under tiie firm name of W. D. Kelly & Co. In 
18^9 lie establislied iiimsclf in tlie real-estate busi- 
ness, handling city property and farming lands, 
also pine and timber lands. In the fall of 1892, 
in connection with otiiers, he organized the Mus- 
kegon Chamber of Commerce, with Newcomb 
McGraft President, Thomas Hume Vice-President, 
William 1). Kelly Secretary, and Andrew Wie- 
rengo Treasurer. It isastrongorganization, made 
up of the business men of the cit}-, and for the 
benefit of the fast-growing city of Muskegon. 

Mr. Kell^' was married on the 28th of August, 



1888, to Miss Zipha Wheeler, of Muskegon, daugh- 
ter of .lames E. Wlieeler. In politics he is a stanch 
Republican, and was one of the prime movers in 
the organization of the Republican Club of this 
city, of which he was made Secretar}-. He served 
as Chairman of the Republican City Committee in 
1892, and in 1890 was the Republican candidate 
for the Legislature. Receiving the nomination, he 
ran against a strong Democratic opponent, and al- 
though the district is Democratic, he was defeated 
only by a small majority. He often takes part in 
campaign work and is a good speakei-. Sociall3-,be 
is a member of the Maccabees. Besides his interest 
in Muskegon propert3-, he is connected with his 
brother in the ownership of the Colfax Hotel, in 
Colfax, Iowa. He is a man of excellent business 
and executive abilit}-, sagacious and far-sighted, 
and his good management has made him eminently 
successful. The prosperity and growth of Muske- 
gon owes not a little to his untiring efforts, and 
its welfare has been greatly advanced through his 
labors. 



=*5'l 



-^1 



m/ 



H 



»,EORGE HOFFMAN, the able and enter- 
(j_ prising senior [jartner of the prosperous and 
well-known firm of Hoffman Bros., dealers 
in flour, feed, hay and grain, at No. 122 Pine 
Street, Muskegon, Mich., has for nearly a quarter 
of a centuiy been a resident of his present local- 
ity, and throughout the changing j'ears has been 
identified with the growth and upward progress 
of his home city. Our subject is a native of the 
Netlierlauds, and was born in the j'ear 1850. 
His father, .Tolin Hoffman, an honest, hard-work- 
ing man of keen intelligence and excellent busi- 
ness ability, likewise born in Holland, early de- 
termined to give his children the advantages 
offered in the United States, but year after year 
passed and yet he remained in the Netherlands, 
though his son George had long preceded him to 
this counlrv, embarking in 1873 for America. He 
journeyed to the West and made his home in 
^luskegon, where after a life of busy usefulness he 
passed awa^' mourned by many friends. The 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



mother, Wielbe (GeeiUng) Hoflfman, spent her en- 
tire life amid the familiar scenes of her youth. 
She was reared, educated and niarriod in iicr na- 
tive land, Holland, and there ended lier unevent- 
ful life, entering into rest beloved b}- all who 
knew her. 

George lloffnian was educated in the common 
schools of Holland and earl}- began the battle of 
life. In his home trained to habits of self-reliant 
industry, he arrived at manhood well fitte<l to 
make his upward wa}' in the great world, and was 
but nineteen years of age when he resolved to seek 
his fortune in the United .States. After a safe vo}-- 
age our subject landed in the city of New York, 
but did not make any st.ay in tiie metropolis of 
the Empire State, journeying at once to Michigan, 
and locating in Muskegon, where he immediately re- 
ceived employment and for four years successfully 
ran a sawmill. Mr. Hoflfman was for seven suc- 
cessive years engaged in milling, and worked for 
the City Milling Company five years,and later was 
employed in the feed store of J. M. M. Goodspeed. 
In 1887, in partnership with his brother John, our 
subject embarked in iiis present business, which, 
from the first commanding an excellent trade, has 
rapidly increased its proportions and now enjoj'S 
a custom that is one of the best in this line in the 
cit}- of Muskegon. Devoting himself to the de- 
mauds of dail}- business, Mr. Hoffman has been 
financially prospered, meeting with the reward well 
earned by his sterling integrity and practical in- 
dustry. 

.Tohn HolTii)an,abrotlier and partner of our sub- 
ject, emigrated to America at tJie age of seven 
3'ears and when a little lad entered a pulilic school 
of Muskegon, receiving a good education in the 
common branches of stud}'. As soon as old enough 
he engaged in milling and ran a saw and lath 
mill for a period of seven years. He worked for 
John Albert one and a-hall years, then in 1887, 
entering into his present partnership, has been fi- 
nancially successful. An ambitious and energetic 
young man, he has many friends, and, politically a 
Republican, is well posted on local and national 
issues. Unmarried and a social favorite, Mr. 
Hoffman is widely known and makes his home at 
No. Gl Muskegon Avenue. 



In the year 1876 were united in marriage George 
Hoffman and Miss Richej' De Grave, a native of 

Holland. In the pleasant iionie on Catherine Street, 
Muskegon, has gathered a happ}- family of seven 
children, two sons and five daughters. "Wielbe is 
the eldest-liorn; then follow Hilda, Anna, James, 
Sarah, John and Johanna, all of wlioni will enjoy 
an opportunitj- for an extended education. Our 
subject is fiaternally a valued member of the Mac- 
cabees, and politically is a Republican and an ar- 
dent advocate of the "Part}' of Reform." He has 
never been troubled b}' aspirations for political 
ollice, but, a true and loyal citizen of his adopted 
country, is ever ready to lend a helping hand in 
matters of public enterprise and improvement. 



V. 



/ A^-K 



eAPT. SETH LEE, of Muskegon, is the 
owner of the North Muskegon Ferry and 
Tug Boat Line. He li.as experienced the 
life of a sailor for many years, and is widely 
known among the sailors on the Lakes. He is a 
native of Ohio, the place of his birth being in 
Lorain Count}-, while the date is 1834. His par- 
ents were George and Sallie (Rose) Lee, the form- 
er a native of the Buckeye Slate, and the latter 
of Albany, N. Y. The ancestors of the Lee family 
came from Germany. The father of our subject 
emigrated Westward and died in Kalamazoo, 
Mich., in 1814. 

Capt. Lee, whose name heads this record, spent 
the first ten years of his life in tlie State of his 
nativity, and then began sailing as cook on a 
vessel on the Great Lakes. He was successive- 
ly promoted from one position to another, until 
at the early age of nineteen he had become cap- 
tain of a schooner, the "Ellen Kent," plying be- 
tween Sandusky and Buffalo. In the cap.acity of 
captain he continued to sail on the Great Lakes 
until 1881, when he purchased the present line of 
tug boats, which he has operated successfull v since. 
In 1874. Capt. Lee chose as a companion and 



258 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



helpmate on life's journe3' Miss Kittie M. Bur- 
roughs, of Buffalo, N. Y., and unto them have 
been born two children, a son and daughter, Kate 
B. and Chailes Henry. Tlie famih' reside at No. 
172 West Webster Avenue, where they have a 
spacious and elegant residence, liandsomely and 
richly furnished. In social circles, the Captain 
and his wife rank high, and throughout the com- 
munity their friends are many. 

In 1885, Capt. Lee began contracting for the 
laying of cedar pavement, and has since paved a 
large portion of the streets of Sluskegon. He is 
now engaged in superintending tlie building of 
the large Magoon & Kimball Docks, lie also 
owns and oi)erates the People's .Steam Laundr3' of 
Muskegon, and his various business interests yield 
him a good return and make him one of tiie sub- 
stantial and well-to-do citizens of the communit}'. 
He possesses excellent business ability and his 
good management and careful attention to all 
the details of his business, and his lionorable, 
upright dealings have brought him a reward in 
the shape of a handsome competence. 

The Captain exercises his right of franchise in 
support of the Republican partj', and in 1886 he 
was elected as Alderman of the Third Ward, serv- 
ing as a member of the Council in a faithful and 
acceptable manner. Socially, he is connected witli 
Muskegon Lodge No. 140, A. F. <fe A. M. He 
possesses the genial, kindl}' nature so cliaracteristic 
of Bailors, and is therefore popular and well liked. 



4^ 



^=^EORGE WASHINGTON JONES, a suc- 
!ll __ cessful farmer of Muskegon County, and a 
^^Jj resident of Eggleston Township, was born 
in Maine, February 4, 1855. He is a son of David 
R. and Hattie (Pease) Jones, the former a native 
of England, and the latter of Maine. Tiie fatlier, 
who was born in Otlej-, Suffolk Country, England, 
on the 25th of July, 1810, was a son of Samuel 
and Mary (NicoUs) Jones, natives of England. 
At the age of twelve he was apprenticed to learn 



the trade of a wheelwright under Samuel Reeves, 
with whom lie remained for a time. Becoming 
wear}' of the hardships incident to his apprentice- 
ship, he ran away and enlisted in the English 
army. 

At the age of twenty, having served iiis full 
time in the ami}', tlie father of our subject came 
to America and settled in Maine, where he en- 
gaged in farming. In 1854 he removed to ^Michi- 
gan and settled in Muskegon County- upon the 
farm he now occupies. Clearing the land of its 
heav\' growth of timber, he built a home in what 
was an unbroken wilderness, and proceeded to till 
the soil of his new farm. As time passed by, 
success crowned his tireless exertions and he at- 
tained a position among the foremost of Mus- 
kegon's citizens and pioneer farmers. He still 
survives, being in his eighty-third year (1893). 
Having been an industrious worker all his life, he 
feels considerably the inability of old age, and 
has been practically retired from active pursuits 
for several 3ears. He is one of the remaining 
few who are left to tell the story of the early 
settlement of the country and the experiences of 
pioneer days. 

The first marriage of David R. Jones oc- 
curred in 1838 and united him with Miss Nanc.y, 
daughter of Joseph Robbins, of Maine. Of this 
union there were four children born, all of whom 
are now deceased, and the wife and mother died 
in 1853. Mr. Jones was agaiu married, in 1854, 
choosing as his wife Miss Harriet B., daughter of 
Aaron Pease. Two children resulted from this 
marriage, of whom George W. is now the only 
survivor. The death of the second wife occurred 
in 1859. In his political belief, Mr. Jones is an 
old-time Republican, and has held nearly every 
public office in the township. He is highly re- 
spected by his fellow-citizens as an honored 
pioneer and public-spirited citizen. 

At the time the Jones family came to Muske- 
gon County, George W. was an infant one year 
old. He grew to manhood on the home farm, 
receiving the educational advantages afforded by 
the neighboring schools, and early in life gaining 
a thorough knowledge of agriculture. For a 
number of j-ears he has had entire charge of his 




iFSlDEincr OF GclO. W. J0NE5 , SEC. 35. LGGLE5T0N TP.,MU5KLG0N CO. MICH 




RE5IDLNCL Of W«. T, CARR, 5 EC ^0, IviOORLAN D TP.MUSKLGON CO., MICH 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



261 



father's farming affairs, and has made a success of 
his farming operations. He was married, June 29, 
1875, to Mis.s M.iiiali.i, daughter of Cornelius and 
JIary (Stricliner) Clary, natives of Illinois. Six 
children have been born of this union: David R., 
Flora, Celia, Waller, Sara, and George Washing- 
ton. 



■A IfelLLIAM THOMAS CARR. It has been 
\rJ// truly said tliatthe prosiicrity of aconimu- 
W^ nity depends upon tlie individual enter- 
prise and uprightness of Its citizens. In propor- 
tion as each person achieves success, will the 
county and State show a favorable advancement 
along the lines of material and commercial prog- 
ress. The Ingli standing of Muskegon Countj' and 
its prominence among otiier counties of the Stale 
may be attributed largely to the energy and pro- 
gressive spirit displa^-ed b^' its residents. As one 
of its successful young business men and agricul- 
turists, we present the name of William Tliomas 
Carr, who owns and occupies a finely improved 
farm on section 20, Moorland Township. 

Born in Siieboygan Countj', Wis., October .30, 
1856, the subject of this notice is tiie son of AVill- 
iam and Elizabeth (Pluin) Carr, natives of Sara- 
toga County, N. Y. His father at an early age 
removed to Milwaukee, Wis., and, being well edu- 
cated, engaged in teaching school. Laler he went 
to Sheboygan, AVis., and helped to surve^^ and 
plat the town, and having secured a tract of fine 
land in Sheboygan County engaged in farming. 
In 1867 be removed to Muskegon County-, Mich., 
remaining there until his deatli, September 4, 1890. 
He was a man of noble character, and was held in 
the highest esteem by iiis fellow-inen. lie left the 
rich legacy of an upright life, lliat will ever be 
cherished liy his family, who are left on the shores 
of time to mourn llieir loss. His woik done, he 
has gone to his reward, and, like a ripe slieaf of the 
harvest, he is gathered into the garner of fJod. He 
was prominent in the Masonic order. Politically 



a strong Republican, he was elected to nearly 
every township office. 

Of five children, three of whom are now living, 
the subject of this brief biographical notice is the 
youngest. He received a common-school educa- 
tion and availed himself to the utmost of every 
opportunity offered him. At the age of twenty- 
one he commenced life for himself, and embarked 
in the occupation of a farmer, to which he had 
been reared. Locating in Moorland Township, he 
commenced the cultivation of the farm on section 
20 where he has since resided. His agricultural 
operations have been ver}' successful, and he is 
numbered among the progressive and efficient 
agriculturists of the county. His farm embraces 
about one hundred and sixty acres, upon which a 
set of first-class rural buildings have been placed. 

While the duties connected with fanning oc- 
cupy much of Mr. Carr's attention, he neverthe- 
less finds sufficient time to devote to public affairs 
and maintains a warm interest in everything per- 
taining to the welfare of the cominunit}'. In his 
political affiliations, he adopts the principles of 
the Republican party, and supports its candidates 
with his ballot and influence. Socially, he is a 
member of the Independent Order of Odd Fel- 
lows, and takes a hearty interest in the progress of 
that organization. One of the leading citizens of 
this part of the county, he justly occupies a high 
place in the regard of all who know him. 






EJ. HrMPlIRE\',an effieient.nnd well-known 
lumber inspector and shipper, located at 
No. 388 Western Avenue, Muskegon, Mich., 
has long been associated with the leading interests 
of the city, and is a native of the State, having 
been born in 1861, in Ferrysburg, Ottawa County. 
The father, William Humphrey, was a native of 
the State of New York, and was roared and edu- 
cated in his birthplace, but later in life, removing 
to the faitlier West, settled in Ohio, where, ar- 
rived at mature age, he was united in marriage 



262 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRArHICAL RECORD. 



with a most estimable lady of fine ability and 
hifjli intelli<^ence and the daugliter of a well- 
known citizen. The father was a millwright 
by trade, and although he found profitable 
employment in his native State finally- decided 
to try his fortunes in the broader fields of the 
farther AVcst. With this object in view, he, to- 
gether with his family, journeyed to Michigan in 
the pioneer days and located in Ferrysburg in 
1840, when the greater portion of the State was 
literallj- a wilderness and wild game abounded. 
Many years later he removed to Muskegon, mak- 
ing the latter city his permanent home in 1861, 
and here engaging in the sawmill business. 

E. J. IIumphre\', our subject, was the eldest 
son and second child of his parents. Ella is 
the wife of J. A. Buckley. Our subject assisted 
his fatlier in his youth, aiding him in running 
the sawmills in summer. He enjoyed the ad- 
vantages of a good common-school education 
but early entered upon the dail^' routine of work. 
In 1881, becoming lumber inspector, Mr. Hum- 
phrey for seven years was in the employ of .J. L. 
Murray, and then formed a partnership with J. F. 
Anden, the firm conducting business under the 
name of Ilumphrc}' ct Anden. Mr. Anden one 
year later was drowned in Muskegon Lake, since 
which time our subject has engaged in business 
solely upon his own account. In May, 1886, Mr. 
Humphrey entered into buying and shipping lum- 
ber, and in this venture met with financial success. 
In the month of October, 1887, were united in 
marriage E. J. Ilumphre}' and Miss Eftie Marshall, 
of Muskegon, an adopted daughter of C. P. Rose. 
The handsome home, No. 228 West Claj- Avenue, 
is the scene of many social gatherings, the accom- 
plished and estimable wife of our subject being a 
social favorite with a large circle of old friends 
and acquaintances. 

Mr. Humphrey is fraternally associated with 
the Ancient Free Sc Accepted Masons, and is a val- 
ued member of Lovell Moore Lodge. He is like- 
wise connected with the chapter, and is a Knight 
Templar. Our subject is also a Knight of Pythias 
and affiliates with the Maccabees, and in these var- 
ious societies enjoying a wide acquaintance, has 
gained numerous sincere friends. AVhile not a 



politician in anj' sense of the word, nor desirous 
of public office, Mr. Humphrey is interested in lo- 
cal and National issues, and in. all matters of mu- 
tual welfare and home improvements is ever 
ready to do his full share. A man of enterprise 
and business ability, and from his youtli identified 
with the growth and upward progress of Muske- 
gon, it is undoubtcdl}- true that no man in the 
State is more thoroughly posted in the details of 
his especial line of business than he, and no man 
more fully understands the great lumber resources 
of Michigan. In the inspection of lumber he is 
an adept of authority and value. 



'^=^m>^^<m=^ 




FREDERICK A. NIMS, a lawyer of Muske- 
gon, Muskegon Count}', was born in Clin- 
ton, Lenawee County, Mich., June 15, 
1839. His father, the late Dr. Dwight B. Nims, 
was of English descent, his 'ancestors emigrating 
to this countr)' in Colonial times. He was a son 
of James and Lucy (Boyden) Nims, and was born 
in Conway, Mass., September 12, 1808. His pro- 
fessional education was received at the Fairfield 
(N. Y.) College of Physicians and Surgeons, AVest- 
ern District, and at the Berkshire Medical Insti- 
tute, from which he was graduated with the de- 
gree of JI. D. in June, 1833. After practicing his 
profession in New York State for two years, he 
removed to ^Michigan, first locating at Clinton, 
whence he afterward removed to Homer, Calhoun 
County, in which place he remained until 1864, 
when he changed his residence to the city of Jack- 
sou. 

Dr. Niras was one of the best-read and most 
successful practitioners in central Michigan, and 
was held in high esteem bj' all wlio knew him. 
He was a member of the Onondaga Count}' (N. Y.) 
Medical Societv; the Jackson County Medical So- 
ciety, of which he was President; the Michigan 
State Medical Society, and from 1856 until his 
death, which occurred in Jackson on April 15, 
1879, of the American Medical Association. He 



PORTR^UT A^"D BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



2G3 



was married Sopleiubcr 8, 1831, to Anna A. Wliite 
daiifjlilor of tlie lalo Ncliciniali While, a native of 
Madison County, N. Y. (where Mrs. Nims was 
born), and who later moved to flrand Hapids and 
engaged in furniture manufacturing and lumher- 
ing, dying at that place in 18.VJ. His daugh- 
ter is still living, having attained the age of sev- 
enty years, and resides with her son Frederick at 
Muskegon. 

Our subject was the eldest of three children, 
of whom the joungest is deceased. His sister, 
Mildred L., is the wife of C. P. Goodwin, of To- 
ledo, Ohio. I'l) to the age of twelve years he at- 
tended the district schools of Homer, and in 1851 
he commenced a preparatory coarse of two years 
at the Wesleyan Seminary, at Albion, Mich. In 
1853 he entered llobart College, at (jleneva, N. Y., 
where he pursued a classical course until 1856, 
when a weakness of the eyes, brought on by a too 
close application to study, compelled him to re- 
turn home. In the spring of 1858 he went to 
Grand Rapids and entered the law odiceof Withey 
(fe Gray. These gentlemen (now deceased) at- 
tained to positions of prominence in their pro- 
fession, Mr. AVithey having been subsequently 
appointed United States District Judge, while 
Mr. Gra}' was made General Solicitor of the North- 
ern Pacific Railroad Company at New York tit}-. 
Mr. Nims studied law with them until his admis- 
sion to the liar, June 5, 1860, when he associated 
himself with Maj. (afterward Col.) A. T. Mc- 
Re3'nolds, and opened an otlice in Grand Rapids. 

During the political campaign of 1860 and pre- 
vious to the breaking out of the War of the 
Rebellion, Mr. Nims served as one of the po- 
litical editors of the Grand Rapids Daily Enquirer. 
On the lirst call for volunteers, in 1861, Maj. Mc- 
Reynolds was appointed Colonel of the J.iucoln 
Cavalry, then being organized in New York, and 
at that time the only cavalry regiment asked for 
by the Government. In July, 18C1, Mr. Nims 
was commissioned Second Lieutenant of Col. Mc- 
Reynolds' regiment, which he immediately joined 
in New York. Repairing to Washington in Au- 
gust, the regiment was shortly afterward brig- 
aded with others under 15rig.-Gen. Innis N. Palmer. 
In September, 1861, Lieut. Nims was detailed for 



special service on Gen. Palmer's staff, and during 
his term of service in the army was engaged in 
the various campaigns, principally in this branch 
of service. During the winter of 1861-62 he was 
Acting Assistant tiuarlerinaster and Commissar^' 
of Subsistence. He accompanied Gen. Palmer on 
his assignment to the command of a brigade of 
infantry in tien. Silas Casey's division to the 
Peninsula in the following March, with the Army 
of the Potomac, under Gen. McClellan. The di- 
vision was substantially wiped out at the battle 
of Seven Pines, May 31, 1862, Gen. Palmer being 
relieved of his command, and Lieut. Nims re- 
joined his regiment. In August following the 
regiment was attached to Gen. Burnsidc's com- 
mand at Fredericksburg, which was evacuated by 
him, however, immediately after the second bat- 
tle of Bull Run, and his forces joined the Army 
of the Potomac at Washington. Soon after the 
battle of Anlietam Col. McReynolds was put in 
charge of a brigade of cavalry and sent to join 
Gen. Kelley at Cumberland, Md. Lieut. Nims 
was during this time on Col. McReynolds' staff 
as Acting Assistant Adjutant-General. 

In the spring of 1863 the brigade occupied Mar- 
tinsburg, Va., at that time an outpost of the Shen- 
andoah Valle3', and shortly thereafter Col. Mc- 
Reynolds., with his command, joined Gen. Jlilrov, 
then occupying Winchester, where they remained 
until June, when Gen. Lee's armv forced them to 
retire into Pennsylvania. Lieut. Nims, being sick 
in hospital, was, with about three thousand others, 
taken prisoner in this engagement and was held 
at Winchester during Lee's advance into Penn- 
sylvania. The battle of (Gettysburg forced his re- 
tirement, and within six weeks from his capture 
Lieut. Nims, with two others, during the excite- 
ment of Lee's evacuation of Winchester, escaped 
from the hospital through the rebel lines, and re- 
mained in hiding in a I'nionist's house until, the 
Union army coming up, they were once more at 
liberty. On going to Winchester, Lieut. Nims 
had been assigned to the staff of CJon. Elliot, 
whom, he found, had during his imprisonment 
been transferred to the Army of the Potomac, so 
he rejoined his regiment at Martinsburg. In July, 
1863, he was appointed aide-de-camp on the staff 



264 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



of Gen. J. C. Sullivan, who was then in command 
of Harper's Ferry, where he remained until the 
following spring. Early in 1864 he accompanied 
an expeditionary force of about twenty thousand 
men under Gen. Sigel up the Shenandoah Valley, 
the movement having for its ultimate object the 
capture of Lynchburg. At the battle of New- 
market thej' were defeated, Gen. Sigel was re- 
lieved, and Gen. David Hunter was placed in 
command. Continuing Southward, they defeated 
Gen. .Jones at Piedmont; thence passing through 
Lexington and Buchanan they crossed the moun- 
tains at a point called "Peaks of Otter," only to 
meet witli defeat when nearing their goal. Being 
closely pursued by the rebels, they crossed the 
mountains of West Virginia, and after five da3-s 
and nights of forced marching without rest they 
halted near Charleston, W. Va. The fatigue and 
exposure experienced at tins time resulted in sick- 
ness, and Lieut. Nims returned to Michigan on 
leave of absence for one month. Returning in 
August, he remained on Gen. Sullivan's staff 
until October, 1864, when he was mustered out of 
service at Martinsburg, V'a. 

The following year our subject spent in recuper- 
ating his health at Grand Rapids, and in Novem- 
ber, 1865, he removed to Muskegon. Resuming 
the practice of his profession, he continued alone 
until 1867, when he formed a partnership with 
Francis Smith and George Gray, of Grand Rapids. 
Mr. Gray retired from the firm in 1869, and in 
1870 D. D. Erwin w.as admitted to the firm, which 
was then known as Smith, Nims & Erwin. In 
1874 H. J. Hoyt became a paitner, wlien the name 
of Smith, Nims, Moyt A' Erwin was adopted, and 
the firm still remains as tlien constituted. This 
sketch would he incomplete without a reference 
to the railroad interests of Muskegon, with the 
jiromotion of which Mr. Nims lias had much to 
do, and it is largel}- to his efforts that the differ- 
ent roads, with their different interests, owe their 
existence in the first place, and in the second 
their final amalgamation under one man.ageraenl. 
We refer particularly- to those lines now controlled 
by the Chicago & West Michigan Railw.ay Com- 
pany, tiie information being furnished bj' a gen- 
tleman who has been interested with Mr. Nims in 



all of the enterprises referred to, and has known 
him intimatel}' since his first coming to Muskegon. 

Mr. Nims was one of the incorporators in 1868 
of the Muskegon & Ferrysburg Railroad Com- 
pany, of which he was made Secretary and At- 
torney, while the President was L. G. Mason, of 
Muskegon, with whom, conjoint!}' with our sub- 
ject, the project originated; and, while this road 
covered only a distance of fifteen miles, its con- 
struction resulted in forcing the building and ex- 
tension of other lines, so that, while it was the 
pioneer of Muskegon railroads, it might be called 
the father of the city's present admirable railway 
system. In 1870 it was consolidated with tlie 
Grand Haven & Holland and the Holland ifc 
Allegan Railroads, the consolidated roads adopt- 
ing the name of the Michigan Lake Shore Rail- 
road Company, Mr. Nims being made Attorney 
for the company. Subsequentl}' these roads be- 
came a part of the Chicago & West Michigan 
Railroad system by right of purchase. In De- 
cember, 1871, the ISIuskegon & Big Rapids Rail- 
road Company was organized, L. G. Mason being 
President, and Mr. Nims its Secretary and Attor- 
torney, both being among its incorporators. Soon 
thereafter this road was consolidated with the 
Chicago & Michigan Lake Shore Railroad, which 
had just completed a line from New Buffalo to 
Muskegon, and Mr. Nims was appointed ^^.ttorney 
of the consolidated lines. These roads, with others, 
as shown above, finally came under the control of 
the Chicago it West Michigan Railroad Companv, 
in 1871, and Mr. Nims then received the appoint- 
ment of Attorney' for that companv, which posi- 
tion he has ever since filled. Jlr. Nims has also 
encouraged and promoted, b}' financial assistance 
and otherwise, the construction of other railroads 
more recently completed to Muskegon. 

Mr. Nims was for a number of j-ears a member 
of the Hoard of Directors of the Muskegon Na- 
tional Bank, and was one of the incorporators, 
and a member of the Board of Directors of the 
Merchants' National Bank of Muskegon, .-md 
held the same oflice in the Monroe Manuf.ac- 
turing Company, of Muskegon. He is also Pres- 
ident of the Muskegon Street Railroad Com- 
pany, and has numerous other interests in enter- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



2G5 



prises lookino; to the growth of the city — ainoiio 
others tiie Electric Light Company, lie was first 
elected in 1876 a nienihcr of tlie Hoard of Edu- 
cation of Muskegon, on whicli lie has served con- 
tinuousl}' since that time, having been re-elected 
to that otfice for the sixth terra in 1891. He was 
President of the Board continuously from the 
spring of 1883 to 1891. Mr. Nims has been con- 
nected with the Masonic fraternity for tiie last 
twenty-eight years, and was in 1888 Worshipful 
Master of JIuskegon Lodge No. 140, A. V. ife 
A. M. He has also been admitted to the chapter 
and conimaiidery, and is a member of the Loyal 
Legion of the (irand Army of the Republic, and of 
the Knights of Pythias organizations. He takes 
an active interest in temperance work, and is a 
member of the various bodies having for their 
object the promotion of temjjerance. 

Mr. Nims was married Februarj' 20, 18G2, to 
Miss Mar^-, daughter of Col. A. T. McReynolds, 
by whom he had two children, both of whom died 
in infancy. Mrs. Nims died in 1872. May 27, 
1873, he was united in marriage with Ellen, sis- 
ter of his first wife. The}' have seven children, 
as follows: Elizabeth M., born August 1, 1874; 
Frederick D., March 27, 1877; Frank N. R., April 
11, 1879; Charles B., July 30, 1881; Leslie W., 
May 18, 1883; David ?:., June 18, 1887; and Louis 
Morgan, June 18, 1889. 




AT.,, RA B. BRI'lTIN, a retired engineer, who 
LJl worked at his trade in Muskegon, Mich., 



is a native of New York, and passed the 
days of childliood in his birlii|)lace and re- 
ceived his primary instruction in the public schools 
of the Empire State. His father, .Stephen M. Brit- 
tiii, a native and long-time resident of New York, 
removed witli his family to Ohio and located on 
a farm, where he industriously entered into the 
pursuit of agriculture. Aia B., who was only 
eight years of age when his parents settled in the 



Buckeye State, there completed his studies in the 
excellent schools of the home neighborhood, and 
assisted iiis father in tlie daily round of work 
upon the farm. Trained to habits of self-re- 
liant tliiift, our subject early determined to try 
his fortunes in the farther West, and, having at- 
tained to mature age, journeyed to the State of 
Jlichigan. 

In 1850, arrived within the Wolverine .State, 
Mr. Brittin made his home in Muskegon, and 
was variousi}- employed for a number of years. 
The Brittin ancestors were residents of Wales, and 
the sturdy characteristics of that nation bequeathed 
to their descendants insured them success in every 
vocation of life. The mother, like her husband, 
was a native of the Empire .State, and was in maid- 
enhood Haite Corvc, the daughter of old and 
highly respected citizens of New York. 

In 18.53 Ara B. Brittin and Miss Maria Vince 
were united in niarri.age. The wedding took place 
in Muskegon, but the estimable wife of our sub- 
ject, a lady of native ability and high intelligence, 
is a native of Ohio, and was educated in the near 
vicinity of her early home. Two children with 
their cheerful presence blessed the union of Mr. 
and Jlrs. Brittin. The son and daughter received 
the best educational advantages the parents could 
give them. Mattie was the eldest-born; Jav S., 
a native of North Muskegon, and born on the 
4th of October, 1859, is a young man of promise 
and excellent business ability. He has passed his 
entire life in Muskegon, and received a practical 
education in the public schools of tlie city of his 
birth. A silversmith by trade, he is now prosper- 
ously engaged in the jewelry business. 

Our subject, having after years of continued 
application to business retired from active duties, 
now enjo3-s a well-earned rest. He is fraternally 
connected with Muskegon Lodge No. 92, I. O. 
O. F., and, politically a stalwart Republican, has 
been a local leader of the part}-. Elected to the 
judicial olfice of Justice of the Peace, Mr. Brittin 
discharged the duties of the position with able 
fidelity five years, and gave great satisfaction to 
his fellow-citizens, his decisions, rendered in ac- 
cord with law and evidence, seldom being carried 
to a higher court. In the home at No. 198 Mus- 



266 



poRTKuViT a^;d biographical record. 



kegon Avenue, our subject and his worthy wife, 
enjoying the competence gained 1>3- ^ears of in- 
dustrious effort, receive many friends and well- 
wisliers, and command tlie esteem of a wide ac- 
quaintance. 



^ ■-^•"^■^*^-^^*'«T" 



AMES BALBIRNIE. Tlicre is no branch of 
industry in which sucli rapid jjrogrcss and 
improvement have been made in recent 
years as in tlie production of artistic liouse- 
hold furniture. Mr. Balbirnie, who is engaged in 
the furniture and undertalving business in Muslie- 
gon, Mich., is one of tlie foremost and successful 
business men of the city. Tlie latter business is of 
the utmost importance to society, and every con- 
sideration suggests tliat its representatives shall be 
reliable, sympathetic and experienced. Mr. Bal- 
birnie has all these qualities. He is a native of 
Canada, born in Ontario April 21, 1838, and is the 
eldest son of James and Jane (Linch) Balbirnie. 
James Balbirnie was also born in Canada, and fol- 
lowed hotel-keeping there for many j'ears. In that 
country he met and married Miss Linch and subse- 
quently moved to Michigan, locating in the citj' of 
Muskegon, where his death occurred in 1866. His 
wife survived until 1885. 

The boyhood of our subject was passed in his 
native country, and his primary education was re- 
ceived in the common scliools of the same. Later 
he attended school at Ottawa, Canada, and after 
attaining his majority lie settled in Ottawa, where 
he embarked in tlie undertaking Inisiness. This 
he continued up to 1805, when he removed to 
Muskegon. Mich., and continued the undertaking 
business up to 1869. At that date he added a 
stock of furniture, and since has increased his bus- 
iness and added furniture from the best manu- 
factureis, until now he has one of the best-equip- 
ped establishinenls in the [)iace. He has fur- 
nished over seven thousand caskets for persons in 
the city and in Ottawa and Muskegon Counties, 
and has secured a liberal and intlucnlial patronage 



by honestly deserving it. He is well known and 
po[)ular as an undertaker as well as a dealer in 
furniture. 

Our subject selected his wife in the person of 
Miss Ella Watson, of Ottawa, Canada, daughter of 
William Watson, and their union was celebrated in 
186 1. Three children have been born to this 
union: Ellen Theressa, James and Lillian Maude, 
the latter at home. In politics, Mr. Balbirnie is a 
Republican. He was the first Supervisor of his 
ward and was a member of the Board in 1892. 
In 1893 he was a prominent candidate for Mayor, 
but withdrew in favor of Mr. Torrens. In Ma- 
sonry he is very prominent and is a Knight Tem- 
plar. He is also a member of the ^lystic Shrine, 
and Lodge No. 92, I. O. O. F. ]\Ir. Balbirnie is a 
fine conversationalist and a good specimen of 
phj'sical manhood. He is sociable and genial and 
has a host of warm friends in the county. He has 
ever been active in politics, espceiall}- in county 
politics, and takes much interest in the election of 
his friends. His home and surroundings are all 
that could be desired. 



© 



(^p^IMOTHY B. CALLAN, the enterprising and 
!rv^. iiopular senior iiartner in the leading firm 

it®! Ill o 

^><^' of Callan k, Dratz, dealers in clothing and 
gents' furnishing goods, Muskegon, Jlich., has 
been a well-known resident of his present locality 
for the past quarter of a century, and, a man of 
fine business attainments, has prosperously- aided 
in the conduct of a trade which is now one of the 
best in its line in the State, and, carrying a com- 
plete stock of goods, competes successfully with the 
houses of the larger and older cities. Our subject, 
born in County Cork, IrelaiKL IMay 12, l845, 
was the son of Timothy and .lane (Broadrick) 
Callan. The father was by occupation a farmer 
and patiently tilled the soil of the Old Coiin- 
tiy. Our subject, trained to habits of indus- 
trious thrift, assisted his father in the work of the 
farm and in his childhood attended the common 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



207 



schools of bis native land. At twelve j-ears of 
age lie was apprenticed to learn the trade of a 
tailor, and gave a number of j'ears to acquire the 
details of the clothier's art. As he neared man- 
hood Mr. Callan determined lie would follow the 
tide of emigration, and in common with the sons 
of his parents' friends and neighbors seek his for- 
tune iu America. 

Before he had yet attained his majority' our sub- 
ject, in 18G5, embarked for the United Stales and 
having made a safe vo^'age landed in New York 
Citj', in which metropolis he remained for about 
two months. 5Ir. Callan, who decided to prospect 
for a time before locating permanently, next jour- 
neyed to Boston, Mass., and finding read}' emplo^'- 
ment in that city continued there two and a-half 
years. At the expiration of this length of time 
our subject traveled to the farther West and vis- 
ited Chicago, 111., and then went to Aurora, 111., 
where he spent the following four months. lie 
afterward made a trip to Milwaukee and finally, m 
the 3'car 1868, came to JIuskegon, where he en- 
gaged as a cutter with William II. llerbst. After 
some time Mr. Callan entered into partnership 
with Mr. llerbst, the business being conducted un- 
der the firm name of William llerbst it Co. This 
business arrangement profitably endured until 
1877, when the partnership was dissolved, our sub- 
ject soon afterward connecting himself with .loiin 
A. Dratz, also a practical tailor and fine cutter, 
whose work is well known for its style and finish. 
The firm of Callan it Dratz enjoys an extensive 
custom and aside from a fine city trade has a large 
patronage from the surrounding country. 

In 1877 were united in marriage Timothy Cal- 
lan and Miss Maggie Hall, a well-known 3oung 
ladj' of Muskegon and a general favorite with a 
large circle of young people. The estimable wife 
of our subject is the daughter of .Nihn Hall, a 
highly respected citizen. The pleasant home of 
Mr. and Mrs. Callan at No. 11 Peck Street has 
been brightened by the birth of three merry and 
intelligent children, two siuis and a daughter: 
Charles, Frank and lOmma. These young people 
will be given every opportunity to worthily fit 
themselves to occupy with honor any pdsition of 
trust to which they may be called in the future. 



Politically an Independent, Mr. Callan casts lii.^ 
vote for the best man, and without any aspirations 
for office does his dnt}' as a loyal citizen, ever 
ready to lend a helping hand in all matters of 
public welfare. 




I RAM HUNTER, a successful agriculturist 
of ^Moorland Township, JIuskegon County, 
was born in Hiuwnville, .lefferson Count\', 
((@) N. Y., June 10, 18.'5r), and is the son of 
Silas O. and .Sallie (Smedley) Hunter, natives of 
Massachusetts. His father was a sailor and went 
before the mast at the age of sixteen. Two years 
later he was made master of the vessel on which he 
was sailing, and from that time up to the age of 
forty-live he occupied a commanding position 
among the mariners of Lake Ontario. Selling 
out his shipping interests at the age above men- 
tioned, he moved to Ottawa Count}-, Mich., where 
he was actively engaged in farming during the 
remainder of his life. His death, at the age of 
eighty-one, was caused by falling from a verandah 
while in the city of Grand Rapids, Mich. 

Longevity is a prominent characteristic of the 
Hunter family, whose members possessed very rug- 
ged constitutions and usually attained to advanced 
3'ears, although some of them met with violent 
deaths in their prime. Of seven children, our sub- 
ject is the next to the eldest. He received a 
thoroughly practical business training at an early 
age from his father, who took great pains to in- 
struct his children in the best business methods. 
He entrusted them with many of his personal af- 
fairs, thereby giving them the advantage of prac- 
tical experience. 

Continuing at home until the age of twent\-five 
years, the subject of this sketch then engaged in 
the liiinber business in northern Michigan, con- 
tracting, jobbing and also superintending for 
others. He followed this business very successfully 
for many years. In 1890 he located in Moorland 
Township, Muskegon County, where he engages 



268 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



extensively in farming and also devotes consider- 
able attention to stock-raising. He is an extensive 
grower of mint and onions, for which he finds a 
ready sale at fair prices. His farm embraces about 
seven hundred acres, and its thorough state of cul- 
tivation shows the same energy and attention 
which are characteristic of Mv. Hunter's everj' en- 
terprise. 

Mr. Hunter has been twice married. His first 
union was with Matilda J. Snyder, and by her he 
had four children. Louis, the eldest, was killed at 
the age of twenty-five, at Lucas, Mich., in a rail- 
way accident; the others are: William, who resides 
in Muskegon; Edward, who is engaged in the mer- 
cantile business at Iron River, Mich.; and Georgia, 
who is at home with her father. The second mar- 
riage of 5Ir. Hunter united him with Mrs. Mary 
Thompson, who was born in New York. Although 
the management of his farm requires his constant 
attention, yet this activity does not seem to ex- 
haust his energy. lie alliliates with the Republi- 
can party and is greatly interested in the general 
welfare of the communit3',of which he is an enter- 
))ri->iug and popular citizen. 






'J_-j^ ENRY A. WOLFF, a manufacturer of pianos 
1 and piano stools at Muskegon, and one of 




the most progressive business men of this 
city, was born in Franklin County, N. Y., 
on the 22d of August, I80L Ho is a son of Par- 
rit 15. and Jane P. (Cassen) Wolff, natives respect- 
ively of New York State and England, the latter 
being of English-Scotch extraction. The paternal 
grandfather of our subject, John C. Wolff, was 
born in the parisii of Badendorf, by Wisner, Ger- 
many, February 7, 1798, and the lady whom he 
married was also born in 1798, on the 17th of 
October, in Orange, Mass. 

Parrit 1$. Wolff was born in Ft. Covington, 
Franklin County, N. Y., June 4, 1826, and in his 
youtli learned the trade of a tailor. For a time 
he was in the employ of the Government, and 



afterward served as Captain of the Ninety-eighth 
New York Infantry. His death occurred at Wash- 
ington, D. C, in January, 1891. His wife, whose 
birth occurred March 16, 1828, passed from earth 
at Malone, Franklin County, N. Y., on the 12lli 
of February, 1881. Hcniy A. is the second in a 
family of five children, two of whom are now living, 
himself and brother, William A., a prominent at- 
torney of New York City, and a member of the 
legal firm of Wolff & Hodge, of London, England. 

The subject of this biographical notice passed 
the da^^s of his childhood in the village of Ft. 
Covington, N. Y., and the town of Malone, in the 
same State. His school advantages were limited, 
and at an early age he commenced to work for 
the Ogdensburg it Lake Champlain Railroad, be- 
ing in the employ of that railway company 
first as brakeman, and later as baggage master. 
Leaving the employ of the railway company, he 
learned the trade of a carpenter, which he followed 
for four years. Afterward, at Malone, he learned 
the trade of a machinist, and was thus engaged 
for a period of five years. He then became an 
engineer on the Ogdensburg ik Lake Champlain 
Railroad, in which capacity he served for twelve 
months, and later was in the employ of the rail- 
way company in Vermont. 

May, 1875, witnessed the arrival of Mr. Wolff 
in Muskegon, where he entered the employ of 
Fred Vander Werp, dealer iu pianos, organs and 
sewing-machines. In November of 187.5 he em- 
barked in business with E. H. Waller, under the 
name of Waller cfe Wolff, continuing in that con- 
nection for one year, when be disposed of his in- 
terest to L. O. Beerman. He afterward started in 
business alone, and upon an extensive scale, deal- 
ing in pianos, organs, musical instruments and 
sheet music at No. 113 West Western Avenue. 
In 1890 he became a stockholder and Director in 
the Nelson Piano Works, at Muskegon, being one 
of the principal organizers and incorporators of 
that company. 

During the year 1891, Mr. Wolff organized the 
Wolff Piano Stool Compan}', of which he is the 
principal stockholder and the present General 
Manager. Later, he became Secretary, Treasurer 
and General Manager of the Nelson Piano Com- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



271 



pany, innniifactuicrs of pianos and piano cases, 
and iiaving purclinscd a large portion of the stock 
of this concern lie is now one of its principal 
owners. lie gives his time and attention with the 
closest fidelity to the details of his business, and 
to his progressive spirit and enterprise may be 
attributed tiie large measure of success which he 
has attained as one of Muskegon's foremost busi- 
ness men. Allhougli lie has little lime for partici- 
pating in the details of public affairs, he never- 
theless is warmly interested in ever^' measure hav- 
ing for its object the promotion of the best inter- 
ests of tiiis community, and is a warm adherent of 
Repul)lican principles. Jlr. Wolff was united in 
marriage to Miss Ida R. Bassett, who was born in 
Malone, Franklin Count}', N. Y. 



C GEORGE P. nUMMKH. The development 
(— - of furniture manufacture in the United 
-^J States possesses the utmost interest for stu- 
dents of industrial history. The large furniluie 
factory has long since superseded the cabinet- 
maker, and a jji-ominent concern of the kind is 
that of the West Michigan Furniture Comi)any, of 
Holland, of which George P. Hummer is the effi- 
cient (ieneral Manager. At the sa'.r.e time he dis- 
charges the responsible duties of Mayor of the 
cit3'. He was born at Belvidere, N. J., December 
2.'), 18,')6, and is a son of Peter Snyder, of that 
State. When he was six months old, he was 
adopted into the family of George Hummer, and 
when quite young he went to live near Grand 
Rapids, Mich., in the [jublic schools of which he 
received his education, liiiishing in the Northern 
Indiana Normal School at \'alpaiaiso, Ind., from 
which he was graduated. 

In 1882 Mr. Hummer accepted the position of 
Sui)erintindcnt of Schools at Holland, Mich., and 
during the seven years in which he served in that 
capacity he greatly impi-oved the schools in vari- 
ous ways, his rule being wise and firm, yet always 
13 



reasonable and kind. At the end of the above- 
mentioned time he resigned, to organize the West 
Michigan Furniture Company, of which he was 
at once elected Secretary and Manager, and this 
position he has filled with eminent ability ever 
since, showing in its management the same intelli- 
gence that marked liis career as an educator. 

The West Michigan Furniture Company was or- 
ganized with a capital stock of i! 100,000, and the 
business lias had an immense growth, for they 
now do ¥500,000 worth of business annually', 
and give constant employment to about three 
hundred and fifty men. Like many other furni- 
ture manufactories, the}' make a specialty of a 
certain kind of furniture, theirs being chamber 
sets, and it must be acknowledged that they turn 
out some extremely handsome and substantial 
articles. Fred J. Metz is the President of the com- 
pany, and, like Mr. Ihiinmer, is a practical man of 
affairs, and an influential citizen. The business 
done has been highly satisfactory to these gentle- 
men, and is a credit and a great benefit to the 
town. Their goods sell at the most reasonable 
figures, and have become widely known through- 
out the country. The oflicers of the company are 
gentlemen of high character, and are very promi- 
nent in the business circles of Holland. The busi- 
ness has cstaljlished a reputation, not only for 
manufacturing and carrying first-class goods, but 
also for fair dealing in all things. The advan- 
tages enjoyed in manufacturing enable the house 
to offer goods at prices greatly advantageous to 
buj-ers, and the success of the concern has been 
largely brought about by liie unbounded energy 
and push of Mr. Hummer. 

In 1885 Mr. Hummer was united in marriage 
with Jliss Marguerite, daughter of Albert Plugger, 
a native of Holland, and an early emigrant to Ot- 
tawa County, Mich. He was a prosperous citizen, 
and the owner of a large flouring-iuill in this 
county, which he operated for a number of years, 
and, being enterprising and industrious, he became 
wealthy. To George P. Hummer and his wife 
three children have been born: Hilda, Marguerite 
and Kate. Politically, Mr. Iluiiiiucr has alw.ays sup- 
ported the Democratic party, and on several occa- 
sions has been a member of the Democratic State 



272 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Central Committee, and usuallj' goes as a delegate 
to the State Conventions. He has always been 
active in the affairs of the county, and especially 
of Holland. He is one of the stockholders of 
the First State Bank and is also a stockholder and 
a Director of the Chicago & Holland Transporta- 
tion Company. 



W?OHN R. KLEYN. Among the many indus- 
tries of the thriving city of Holland, that 
of the Novelty' Wood Works has gained a 
prominent footing, and within the last few 
years has assumed gigantic proportions. John R. 
Kleyn, the original of this notice, and the sole 
owner and proprietor of this growing business, has 
gained for his establishment a most enviable repu- 
tation for the artistic beauty and general excel- 
lence of its work, as well as for the prompt and 
reliable manner in which all work intrusted to 
it is executed. Active and enterprising, pains- 
taking in all his undertakings, and liberal in his 
methods of dealing with the public, he has greatly 
and steadil}' extended tiie field of his operations. 
Mr. Klej-n was born in tlie Netherlands, Februarj^ 
21, 1841, and his father, Leander Kle^-n, was also 
a native of Holland. The elder Mr. Kle3'n was a 
builder by trade, and superintendent of the Gov- 
ernment works at tliree different places. He was 
maDJed in his native countr}' to Miss Ileiltje Wil- 
helmina Korteweg, and in 18.54 brought his family 
to America. He came direct to Holland, Mich., 
where he engaged in building and contracting, be- 
ing among the pioneers of the place. Only a few 
years later, in 1857, he passed to that bourne from 
which no traveler returns. His marriage resulted 
in the birth of five children, four of whom are 
living at the present time, and in the order of their 
births as follows: John R.; Johanna, who is mar- 
ried, and resides in North Carolina; Jane, de- 
ceased; Robert, a resident of Holland, Mich.; 
and Martin. Tiie father of these children served 



six 3'ears in the army in his native country; he was 
at the battle of Antwerp, and later wore the Mal- 
tese cross of honor. He held membership in the 
Reformed Cliurch, and was a prominent man in 
religious circles. 

The original of this notice was about tliirtecn 
j-ears of age when he came to this country', and re- 
ceived the principal part of his education before 
crossing the ocean. When sixteen years of age he 
started out to learn the carpenter's trade, but two 
years previous to that had received some instruc- 
tion in tliat trade from his father. He also learned 
architecture, the most of it out of books, for he 
lias ever been a great student, and became uuusu- 
allj- proficient in that. In 1878 he engaged in tlie 
hardware business, followed this for four j-ears 
with good success, and then established the Novel- 
13- Wood Works, which he has conducted up to 
tiie present. He employs fifteen men riglit along, 
but has emplo3'ed as many as fort3' or fift3- at a 
time. 

Mr. Kle3'n manufactures all kinds of building 
material, and has a great deal of work on large 
contracts for New York. The building in which 
he does business is a handsome and substantial 
structure, the main part being 50x100 feet. Our 
subject started outfor liimself with a great amount 
of pluck and energ3', but little else, and is a self- 
made man in cveiy sense of the term. Being the 
eldest of five children, when his father died the 
support of the famil}- fell on his shoulders. He 
struggled along for years under hardships that 
would have discouraged a less determined or posi- 
tive character, and is now one of the prominent 
and successful business men of tlie cit3- of Holland. 
His mother died in 1879. Politically, Mr. Kleyn 
is an independent Republican, and has advocated 
the principles of that part3- since the Rebellion. 
For two years he was Alderman of the city, Asses- 
sor for about six 3'ears, and has held other posi- 
tions, although he has never been an office-seeker. 

In the year 1861 he was married to Miss Dirkje 
Johanna Waling, the daughter of Simon Waling, 
who was born in tlie Netlierland, and came to 
America at an earl3' date. Mr. and IMis. Kleyn 
had born to their union nine children. Leonard 
is engaged in the lumber business with his father, 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



273 



and is foreman of the lattor's yard; Lemer makes 
his liome in Holland; Minnie, wife of Alfred 
Wright, resides in Chicago; Henry resides at Sid- 
ney, Neb.; George is at liome, as is also Josephine, 
■who lias just graduated from tlie High School; 
and Anna, Fred, Simon an<l Maude are all at home. 
IMr. Kleyn is a moniher (,)f the Reformed Church, 
and a man who has won a high i)lace in the oi)in- 
ion of all ae(|uainled wilii him. He is a stock- 
holder in the Cappon-IJertseh Leather Company, 
and is a wide-awake, thorough-going business 
man. 



-^Ij'LFRED HUNTLEY is a prominent engi- 
(^Ol neer and machinist of the city of Holland, 
Mich., and is also manager of the Wolver- 
flf/ inc Electric Light Company of that city. 

He is a native of Kent, England, and the son of 
George and Harriet Hunlhiy, who owe their na- 
tivit}' to that country also. The youthful days of 
our subject were passed in England, and he there 
secured a good practical education. When fifteen 
years of age he began serving an api)ronticeship 
at the machinist trade in London, England, and 
was thus engaged until twenty-one years of age. 
After this he began working at his trade in Lon- 
don as a journeyman, and, being a thorough mas- 
ter of his business, seldom lacked work. 

The principal event of our subject's life occurred 
in 1871, when he was united in marriage with 
Miss Eliza Hobson, a native of England, .as was 
also her father, Robert Hobson, who was born in 
Yorkshire. Mr. Hobson was a successful farmer 
there, and became (juile wealthy. Two days af- 
ter his marriage, our subject and his wife sailed 
for America, and reached the United States after 
an uneventful voyage. They settled in Holland, 
Mich., and >Mr. Huntley was engaged as an engineer 
in the Metz Leather Company's tannery, and re- 
mained there two or three years. He then re- 
moved to Muskegon and became foreman in the 
shops of the Chicago & West Michigan Railroad, 
which position lie tilled in a satisfactory manner 



for three j-ears. Seeing a lietter opening for him- 
self, he came to Holland, Mich., opened a machine- 
shop, and has engaged in this business up to the 
present time. He does general repairing in all 
kinds of machinery, and has five engines on the 
Mississii)|)i River. He repairs all kinds of ma- 
chines and stationary engines, and has just re- 
paired a large engine of two hundred horse power. 
He has all the work he wants, for he is a first- 
class workman. Huntley it Holly organized the 
first electric light company, known as tlie Hunt- 
ley & Holly Electric Light Company, which, how- 
ever, only lasted one year. Later the}' organized 
the Wolverine Electric Light Company. 

Mr. Huntley is a practical electric light engineer 
and manager for the company. He is a very ex- 
pert machinist and engineer, possesses splendid 
executive business ability, and is most reliable, be- 
ing highly esteemed in the county. He is a mem- 
ber of the Episcopal Church, which he su|)plies 
with electric light. iSIrs. Huntley is also a mem- 
ber of that church, and a consistent, worthy Chris- 
tian. Their union has been blessed by the birth of 
seven children, all now at home. Mr. Huntley is 
a strict business man, liut is public-spirited and 
enterprising to a great degree. In (jolitics, he is a 
Democrat, and socially he is a member of the or- 
der of the Ancient Free it Accepted Masons, and 
has filled all the positions in his lodge except that 
of Treasurer. He is Rast Master, and takes a great 
deal of interest in his lodge. 









ENRY RLOECKER. Human industry has 
atTorded many striking examples, and 
''' among the prominent men of Grand Hav- 
en, Mich., who have exhibited those ster- 
ling principles of character which lead on to 
great accomplishments, Henry Hloecker affords 
a striking illustr.ation. He is now the Mayor of 
Grand Haven, and is a man whose u|)right, 
capable and honorable career has won a place 
in the annals of Ottawa County. In him is won- 



274 



PORTRAIT AKD BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



derfully exemplified the rare abilities and great 
powers of application "whicLi have rendered him 
one of the most distinguished representatives 
of Grand Haven's advanced and prosperous in- 
dustries. He was born in Germany, September 6, 
1845, and inherits all the tlirift, enterprise and 
perseverance of his Teutonic ancestors. His fa- 
ther, Mark Bloecker, was a German soldier for 
man}- years. 

Our subject was educated in his native country, 
and learned the trade of a machinist, following 
his trade as a journeyman and traveling to many 
of the principal cities of Germany and France. 
In 1867 he took passage for the United States, and 
after an uneventful voyage landed in New York 
City. From that place he came direct to Grand 
Haven, Mich., and soon found employment in the 
Ferris Ottawa Iron Works, remaining with the 
same until 1879, when he formed a partnership 
with Jolin Bryce, under the firm name of Bryce 
& Bloecker, in the manufacturing of general ma- 
rine engines and' all kinds of machinery belong- 
ing to tugs, steamers, and, in short, all vessels 
using steam. This firm continued until the year 
1881, when their plant burned and they sustained 
heavy loss. Later, they re-organized, under the 
firm nameof Bryce, Bloecker & Co., and re-built the 
works on the old site, enlarged them considerably, 
and put in new and highly improved machinery. 
Tliis business was continued under the above- 
mentioned title until 1883, when it was changed 
to Bloecker & Co., and still later to Henry Bloecker 
it Co., which is tlie title at the present lime. The 
firm lias the best of shipping facilities, and during 
the l)usy season from thirty to forty men are em- 
ployed. 

The happy domestic life of our subject began 
in the year 1868, when he was married to Miss 
Mary Glazat, a native of Germany, but at the time 
of lier marriage a resident of Grand Haven, 
wliithershe liad moved with lier father. To Mr. and 
Mrs. Bloecker were born nine cliildren, eigiit sons 
and one daughter; those living are as follows: 
Hugo, Paul, Fred, Robert, Emma, Ernest and 
Henry. Those deceased are Erdmann and one 
unnamed. Mr. Bloecker is alive to matters of 
public importance, and is deeply interested in the 



success of the Democratic party, with which he has 
long been identified. He served four years as 
Alderman of the First Ward, and in Ainil, 1893, 
he was elected Ma^-orof Grand Haven, lie is Pres- 
ident of the National Dotare Association and Ger- 
man Workingmen's Society, and is a Royal Arch 
Mason, a member of Grand Haven Lodge No. 
139, and Grand Haven Chapter No. 8L He is 
also a member of the Maccabees and is one of the 
leading Germans of Grand Haven. 



^ 



E^^ 



/^^ LARENCE A. CHASE, manager and super- 
(l( intendent of the Chase Brothers Piano Com- 

^^^J pany, and one of Muskegon's most inllueu- 
tial and successful business men, is a native of 
Pennsylvania, having been born in Columbus, 
February 12, 1853. He is the son of Milo J. and 
Olive (Stacy) Chase, natives of New England. 
The father, who was a man of genius and high ex- 
ecutive abilit}', embarked in business as a manu- 
facturer of pianos at Ripley, Ohio, many years 
ago, at a time when only the wealthy could afford 
the luxury of an instrument. Tlirough the exer- 
cise of good judgment he attained success, and by 
keeping in the lead with improved methods he was 
enabled to furnish superior pianos at competition 
prices, so that his name became a familiar word in 
almost every household in the land. 

In his father's home in Ripley, Ohio, the subject 
of this notice grew to a sturdy manhood, well fit- 
ted by natural endowments and judicious training 
for a position of prominence in the business world. 
At the age of fifteen years his school days were 
ended and his active business career commenced. 
He entered his father's piano factory, where he 
gained a practical knowledge of tlie details of the 
business. At the time of liie removal of the man- 
ufactory to Riclimond, Ind., in 1877, he went 
thither, and in 1884 located in Grand Rapids, 
Jlich., where the business was conducted for a 
number of years. 



PORTRaVlT AKD BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



275 



In order to secure a more available site for the ' 
location of the piincii)al uianufactory, the concern 
was removed to Muskegon, Mich., in 1889, and 
the wisdom of this change has been demonstrated 
bj the history of the ensuing years. The present 
company w.as organized in October, 1889, with a 
capital stock of ¥22,5.000. The factory, completed 
in Julj', 1890, is G0x2.o(i feet in dimensions, fotir 
stories in height, and tlioroughly equipped with ' 
modern machinery, which is operated by a two 
hundred horse power Corliss engine. Three Nich- 
ols dry-kilns, with a cap.acity for seasoning ten 
thousand feet of lumber evcr^^ thirty-six hours, 
and all other necessary adjuncts for rapid and per- 
fect work arc found. The comi)any has conven- 
ient docks and warehouse adjoining tlie plant, for 
shipments b}- water, and railroad tr.acks alongside 
the factory, giving every facility for receiving 
lumber and prompt consignment of finished pi- 
anos. 

Upright and grand pianos are made in all the 
popular shades of malioganj', walnut, oak and 
rosewood, finished in a superb manner, as ever^- 
attention is given to produce a perfect instrument. 
The Chase factory was among the lirsl establish- 
ments to meet the demand for upright pianos, and 
the proprietors have displayed much skill in sur- 
mounting musical didicultics and purifying tone 
qualities. The Chase brothers have been con- 
nected with the business from boyhood, and are 
experts in their specialties, many of the devices 
here being the inventions of members of the com- 
pany. Clarence A., our subject, superintends the 
mechanical operations. Braton S. and Leon E. are 
traveling salesmen for the company. The im- 
mense .salesrooms of this company in Chicago are 
superintended by the senior Mr. Ch.aso, who is Pres- 
ident of the corporation; C. T. Hills is ^'ice-Presi- 
dent, Thomas Hume Treasurer, and L. E. Chase 
Secretary. On the i)ay-rolls are the names of 
more than two hundred artisans skilled in their 
special lines. The Ch.ase brothers have platted 
one hundred and eight .icres in the vicinity- of the 
factor^', which is being rapidlj- taken by employes 
and others for residence sites. The wareroom at 
No. 87 West Western Avenue has a choice selec- 
tion of pianos, and seven hundred or more com- 



pleted instruments are kept in stock at the factory 
and different warerooms. 

One of the most beautiful and elegant residences 
of Jluskegon is that which is owned and occupied 
by our subject. It is pleasantly located on Lake 
Street, amid attractive surroundings. The lady 
who presides over this spacious home was formerly 
Miss Olive Armstrong, and prior to her marri.age, 
in 1874, resided in Ripley, Ohio, where her father, 
William Armstrong, was a prominent merchant. 
Mr. and Mrs. Chase are the parents of two chil- 
dren, Lenora A. and Irene E. Both arc accom- 
plished young ladies, and are popular in the so- 
cial circles of the cit^'. 



ylLLIAM FARR, Treasurer of Grand Haven 
Township, School Inspector and a repre- 
sentative general agriculturist of Ottawa 
County, Mich., is along-time resident of the State, 
but, a native of Merrie England, was born under 
British rule in the year 1831. Our subject is the 
son of Charles Farr, who, leaving his native land 
emigrated to America in 1848, and, locating in the 
Empire State, made his permanent home in Oswego, 
there residing for over two-score years, passing 
peacefully away in 1889. The father was a suc- 
cessful farmer and was about forty-one years of 
age when, bidding farewell to the scenes of his 
childhood, he sailed for the United States. In 
England he had managed three different stage 
routes and w.as a man of more than ordinaiy busi- 
ness ability. Our subject received his education 
and early business training in the Old Country, 
and at the age of thirteen apprenticed to the firm 
of Austin & .Son learned the trade of casting and 
wire-drawing jewelry, stamping and refining. lie 
attended the free schools of England and well 
improved his opportunities of instruction. The 
home of his youth was in the city of Birmingham, 
Warwickshire. 



276 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



Mr. Farr had not long attained his majority 
when he decided to follow his father to America, 
and in 1855 crossed the broad Atlantic to the land 
of promise beyond the sea. Arriving in New 
York, our subject soon rejoined his father, from 
wliom he had been se|)arated by an absence of 
seven j'ears. AVilliam Farr remained in Oswego 
County for a twelvemonth, and then journeyed to 
Canada, which he made his home for tiie five suc- 
ceeding years. Wiiile a dweller in Canada our 
subject learned and engaged in tlie cooper's trade 
and some length of time was profitably devoted to 
coopering. In the Dominion of C:inada Mr. Farr 
met and married Miss Frances Maria Long, the 
two being united in marriage in 1859. The es- 
timable wife of our subject was a native of Canada, 
her parents being of English birth. The seven 
sons and daughters who blessed the iiappy home 
were Addie C, the eldest, who married John H. 
Siiire; Charles Frederick, deceased; William, de- 
ceased; Heibert Reed; Nellie, deceased; Walter 
and Bruce. In 1882 Mr. Farr removed to the 
United States and, journeying to Michigan, located 
in Ottawa County, settling at once upon his pres- 
ent valuable homestead, then wild timberland. 

Of the one hundred and forty acres, one hun- 
dred are under cultivation, yielding bounteous 
liai' vests of grain and fruit. In addition to farm- 
ing here in Michigan, our subject also engaged on 
his own farm in the cooper business, profitably 
conducting the same for over four years. Vitally 
interested in educational advancement, Mr. Farr 
lias as a School Director for ten years materiallj' 
aided in the upward progress of the district 
schools of his home localit.y, and for four years 
Township Treasurer has discharged the duties of 
tlie office to the great satisfaction of the general 
public. Mr. and Mrs. Farr arc both devout mem- 
bers of the Methodist Episcopal Church and are 
active aids in benevolent enterprises and religious 
work. Politically a Heiiublican ever since making 
liis residence in Michigan, our subject is deeply 
interested in both the local and national manage- 
ment of the great trusts involved, and, thoroughly 
appreciating a Republican form of government, is 
in the highest sen.se of the term a loyal and public- 
spirited citizen. 



EG. CROSBY, an energetic and pros])erous 
citizen of Muskegon, Mich., senior [)artner 
' of the well-known firm of E. G. Crosby & 
Co., Government contractors and builders of 
piers and dry docks and owners of the best tug 
and scow line of I^ake Michigan, has been a resi- 
dent of the Wolverine State from boyhood. Our 
subject is a native of Ontario, N. Y., and was born 
m 1842. His father, AVarren Crosby, a native 
of New England, born in Massachusetts, emi- 
grated to tlie AVcst, and died in IMichigan. His 
mother, Louisa (Lincoln) Crosby, was the descen- 
dant of an intelligent and patriotic ancestry. The 
Crosbys, of Scotch origin, were represented in 
America in a very early day and were numbered 
among the substantial and enterprising citizens 
of New England when this countr}' was yet in its 
infancy. Passing his boyhood days in Ontario 
County, N. Y., Mr. Crosby also pursued a course 
of study in Lima College, for two j-ears enjoying 
the benefits of instruction in that excellent institu- 
tion. In 1866, removing to the West, our subject 
settled in Lenawee County, Mich., and remained 
there until the breaking out of the Civil War. 

In 1861, the name of E. G. Crosby was enrolled 
as enlisting in Company E, First JNIichigan Cavalry, 
which, commanded by Col. Broadhead, was as- 
signed to the Army of the Potomac. With 
courage our subject participated in the decisive 
battles of the campaign, fighting in the engage- 
ments of the Wilderness, second battle of Bull 
Run, Antietani, Gettysburg, and many other fights 
and skirmishes. Mustered out in 1864, he re-en- 
listed in the spring of 1865 in Hancock's corps of 
old veterans, commanded by Col. Hancock, and 
was again mustered out in the summer of 1865. 
Immediately after the close of the war Mr. Crosby 
went to Hudson, Mich., where until 1869 he was 
variouslj- engaged. At the latter date he re- 
moved to Whitehall, Mich., and after a stay of two 
years permanently located in Muskegon. In 1881, 
our subject embarked in tlie tug business and later, 
adding scows, found his investment an assured 
success. In his work as a contractor he has dealt 
mainl^y with the Government, constructing a large 
amount of public piers and dockage. He is now 
building the Government Pier at the entrance of 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL R?:CORD. 



277 



Muskegon Harbor. Mr. Crosby regularlj- employs 
about sevenU" men and does an extensive busi- 
ness, yielding bin) annually a handsome income. 

Politically a Republican and well posted in 
local and national affairs, lie is an ardent advocate 
of llie "Party of Reform." He is, fraternallj', a 
member of Pliil Kearney Post No. 7, G. A. R., 
and much enjoys the re-unions of the order. Mr. 
Crosby married in early life Miss Catherine 
Ilalstead, a native of the East and born in the 
State of New York. Our subject and his worthy 
wife have been blessed with one son and one 
daughter, Fred and Ilattie. 'J'lie pleasant family 
residence, located at No. 74 Ransom Street, Muske- 
gon, is well known to a large circle of old-time 
friends, Mr. and Mrs. Crosby both actively shar- 
ing in the good work and benevolent enterprises 
of their home city, where they receive universal 
respect and sincere regard. Our subject has self- 
reliantly won his upward way to hnancial pros- 
perity, and is now numbered among the leading 
business men of Muskegon County who have by 
untiring efforts gained a competence within the 
borders of the Wolverine State. 



ellAKLKS L. Gl'NN,an influential real-estate 
dealer residing in Norlli Jluskegon, was 
born in .Jefferson County, N. Y., January 
22, 1843. The family of which he is an honored 
member was first represented in America about 
1600, at which time several of tiiat name emigrat- 
ed from .Scotland and made settlement in Massa- 
chusetts. Tlie father of our subject, Leander W., 
and his grandfather were both natives of New 
York, the former liaving been born in Warren 
Count}-, where he became an extensive lumberman 
and miller. 

The iiiotiier of our subject w.as in maidenhood 
Kc/.iah B. I'ayne, and was a native of Washington 
County, N. Y., where her father, John Payne, fol- 
lowed agricultural pursuits. Charles L. w.as the 
second in order of birth among four children, and 



was reared in Jefferson Count}', N. Y., gaining the 
rudiments of his education in the schools of Dex- 
ter, and afterward, through self-culture and obser- 
vation, broadening his knowledge. When the 
dark cloud of war hovered over our nation, his 
sympathies were strongly enlisted on behalf of the 
Union, and when ay outli of nineteen, in 1862, he 
enlisted as a private in Company 1, Tenth New 
York Ileav}- Artiller}'. For gallant and meritori- 
ous conduct he was promoted from the ranks to 
the position of Lieutenant, and served in that ca- 
[lacity until the close of the war, participating in 
man}' of the most important battles of the Rebell- 
ion. He received his discharge at Sackett's Har- 
bor, and was mustered out of the service at Peters- 
burg, N. Y. 

Returning to Dexter, Mr. Gunn embarked in the 
general mercantile business and conducted a flour- 
ishing trade for two years. He then disposed of 
the stock and came to Michigan, remaining for a 
time in St. Josepii and Benton Harbor, in the 
empio}' of C. Colby il- Co., manufacturers of 
fruit packages. After three years thus spent, he 
entered the employ of A. II. Morrison, General 
Manager of the Chicago & West Michigan Railwa\' 
Company. In 1873 he became a clerk in the gen- 
eral oltice of this eompan}-, where he was later pro- 
moted to the position of Assistant Treasurer and 
Paymaster. He remained for seventeen years, or 
until 1890, in tiieir employ and was one of their 
most trusted officials. 

In 1890 Mr. Gunn came to Muskegon and en- 
gaged in the real-estate business. During the fol- 
lowing year he located in North Muskegon, and 
has since made his home in this city. He lias ex- 
tensive real-estate interests both liere and in Mus- 
kegon, and is also the owner of a farm in Muske- 
gon Township. He has a pleasant residence in 
North Muskegon, where he and his accomplished 
wife live in happiness and contentment. Mrs. 
Gunn became the wife of our subject on the 27th 
of May, 1891, prior to which time she w.as Mrs. 
Hannah Gostage. She was the daughter of Will- 
iam and Ma}' Conklin, and the widow of .Silas 
Gostage. 

A Democrat in politics, Mr. CUinn was elected 
Mayor of North Muskegon in 1892, and served 



278 



POETRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



for one term. He has offlciuted as Alderman both 
in Muskegon and Nortli Muskegon, and has also 
been Treasurer of the School Board. In his social 
relations he is identified with tlie Masonic frater- 
nity, being a member of St. Joseph Lodge No. 28L 



-^^ 



y ALTER S. AVERILL, a prosperous agi- 
culturist and well-known early settler c 
Chester Township, Ottawa County, we 



^ j^ALTER S. AVERILL, a prosperous agii- 

of 
vas 

identified with the privations of the pioneer da3'S 
of JNIichigan, and, being a man of enterjjrise and 
business ability, has aided in the development of 
the interests of his home locality and county. 
Born in the State of New York, Apvil 17, 1842, 
our subject is the son of Samuel II. and Elizabeth 
(JIcFerren) Averill. His father was boi n in Ver- 
mont, November 22, 17'J7, and his mother in New 
York, March 21, 1806. They made their home for 
many j-ears in the Empire State, but in the fall of 
1848 emigrated to the West, and in tiie early 
winter of 1849 located upon the farm where they 
long resided. 

Taking from the Government eighty acres of 
land at a cost of *1.25 per acre, the father found 
himself left with tlie modest capital of seventy- 
five cents in ready money. He and his children 
with united effort toiled earl}' and late to clear, 
cultivate and improve the land. He died Decem- 
ber 16, 1886, when in his ninetieth year. During 
his many years of usefulness he occupied with 
fidelity various positions of trust and served sev- 
eral times as Justice of the Peace. He was the 
first man who in an official capacity gave orders 
to the township. The primitive method had been 
to |)eisonally notify each individual that at such 
a time and upon such an occasion the}' would be 
called upon to pay a certain sura. 

Samuel Averill assisted in surveying most of 
the sections in Chester Township, and although he 
received only four daj's' schooling he was one of 
the best-informed men in tlie township. Possess- 
ing excellent judgment and habits of close observa- 



tion, he kept himself intelligently posted on all 
the ])ubHc affairs of the daj-. Me and his excel- 
lent wife were the parents of twelve children, 
seven of whom lived to j-ears of maturity. Mary 
J. is the wife of Dolph Look, of New York; AVill- 
iam B. resides in Caseuovia; M. B. lives in Mus- 
kegon County; Eliza is the wife of John Hilton, 
of Porterville, Cal.; Edward F. resides in Chester 
Township; Elvira is the wife of David Waller, of 
Chester Townshi|); and Walter is the subject of this 
sketch. The mother passed away January '■), 1875. 

Our subject came to this State at the age of 
eight years, and was educated in the common 
schools of the home neighborhood. The first 
school of the district was regularly established in 
1852. During the first day's session the teacher 
found but one scholar, a boy, wiio could correctly 
stale what year of our Lord it was. After 
dinner the other scholars seized the unfortunate 
boy and gave him a thrashing. He immediately 
returned to his home and was never seen more in 
that schoolroom; thus was superior knowledge 
rewarded in the pioneer da^s. Upon his father's 
farm Walter Averill attained to manhood, and 
immediately after his tvventieth birthday enlisted, 
in 1862, in Compan}- B, Twenty-first Michigan In- 
fantry, and as a private was assigned to the Army 
of the Cumberland under the command of James 
Cavanaugh and A. A. Stevens. He actively 
participated in the battles of Peiiyville, Stone 
River and other engagements. He w.as twice 
wounded — first in the fight at Perryville, where 
he received a wound on the left side of his neck 
which stiffened the muscles and cords. In the bat- 
tle of Stone River he had his foot shattered with 
a piece of shell, and for nineteen years has never 
worn a boot. As a partial compensation for the 
suffering resultant from his injury he receives a 
pension of $12 per month. 

Discharged in July, 1863. Mr. Averill at once 
returned home and continued to assist upon the 
farm until the death of his mother. Soon after- 
ward he was married, his father residing with him 
until he too passed away. The homestead re- 
verted to Mr. Averill, who has through all the 
changing seasons industriousl}- cultivated the 
fertile fields. Walter Averill was first united in 




RESIDEMCtOF VV.S. AVF:R1LL , SEC. 9. CHESTER TP., OTTAWA CO., MICH 




I. 



t ^ |i - .,.i U i t |,||- -^nv>,.,;'" ' i -'v; r ^ } ,,;;^ ^^ ^■■ 



•''y^. 



Vff^V 'kr<Jf. 



RESIDENCE OP GEO^V AIKEN, SECT., GRAND HAVEN TR, OTTAWA CO., MICH, 



PORTRAIT AND BIOORAPHICAL RECORD. 



281 



marringe willi Minerva Wood, a native of Ohio and 
the (l.'uiglitcr of William Waller, an early settler 
of Chester Township, widely known and highly 
respected. The estimable young wife survived 
only one year and bore her husband one child- 
Alice. A second time entering the bonds of ma- 
trimony, our subject wedded Miss Anna B. That- 
cher, a native of Pennsylvania and daughter of 
Edwin and Kate (Carpenter) Thatcher, pioneers 
of Ottawa County. Mr. and Mrs. Averill are the 
parents of four children: Ross G., Judd E., Iletlie 
M. and Lee W. 

Mr. Averill has held with ability various school 
offices and is interested in the conduct of jjublic 
affairs. He is a stanch Republican, but without 
the aspirations of a politician, and is content to do 
his duty at the polls, being also ever ready to lend 
a helping hand in all matters of public welfare. 
lie is fraternally connected with Ravenna Lodge 
No. 355, I. (). O. F., and is a valued member of 
Albert Sperry Post No. 337, G. A. R., at Ra- 
venna. In the latter organization he has olliciated 
as Quartermaster and oUicer of the order. Financi- 
ally prospered, Mr. Averill owns fifty-five acres of 
highly cultivated land, which annually jield an 
abundant harvest. The improvements of the 
homestead are of a substantial and attractive 
character, the handsome residence, commodious 
barns and outbuildings denoting thrift and com- 
fort. 

Our subject has a store of interesting reminis- 
cences of tiie past, and among other incidents re- 
lates that his father pounded the first bread out of 
corn raised upon the farm by means of a stump hol- 
lowed out and tiie use of a heavy wooden pestle. 
The pestle was used for this purpose for many 
years, and a number of persons came from a dis- 
tance of four or five miles to thus pound their 
corn into meal. .Soon after arriving in Chester 
Township, the father went to Steele's Landing, a 
distance of lifleen miles, and i)urchased Hour, which 
he brought ho)ne on his back. They had a team 
of oxen, but as no road w.as open they could not 
cross the thickly wooded land. The first team of 
oxen owned by our subject he bought in 1863, 
with money earned by clearing land. In this toil- 
some manner the pioneers gained their homes and 



monej', and with unceasing industry promoted the 
growth and enterprises of the West, which to-day 
is rich in resources, manufactures and the energy 
of a people whose watchword has ever been " I'p- 
ward and Onward." 



^11^ K 




EORGE W. AIKEN, a long-time resident 
and prosperous horticulturist of Ottawa 
I County, owns a beautiful home up:n the 
banks of the Grand River, a little southeast of 
Grand Haven, and the homestead contains one 
hundred and twent^'-three acres of fine land, 
twenty-five acres of which are devoted mainly 
to gardening and fruit-raising. William Aiken, 
the father of our subject, was a native of New 
England, and w.as born amid the hills of New 
Hampshire, where he received his education and 
grew to adult age. After his marriage, he and 
his wife commenced housekeeping near the scenes 
of his childhood days. 

George W., also a native of New Hampshire, 
from the date of his birth, in 1846, spent the days 
of bo^-hood in his birthplace, and gained his edu- 
cation in the common schools of the district. 
When about twenty years old, inspired with a de- 
sire to see something of the world beyond the 
(juiet village of his nativity, he embarked on a 
whaling voyage, and from 1866 until 1870 was 
sailing on the .Southern Pacific Ocean, all the time 
below the e<iuator. Cruising along the shores of 
Juan Fernandez and out in mid ocean, he made 
some successful catches and returned again to his 
home on the 5th of .July. 187il. 

Upon the vessel "Sappho,"' commanded by Capt. 
James Handy and owned by a Mr. .Seaburj', Mr. 
Aiken first caught a glimpse of tlu; life of a sailor, 
and ex|)erienced the excitements and privations 
of a whaling voyage. He had scarcely returned 
to the old New Hampshire home before he decided 
to try Ins fortunes in the farther >\'est, and from 
1870 to 1874 sailed on the great chain of lakes 
Cf>nnccting HnlTalo and Chicago. Hetween these 
two ports he voyaged upon the bark "Chicago 



282 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Board of Trade," in ehari^e of Capt. Fountain, and 
owned b3' Charles Bradley. Not long after the 
close of the season of 1874, Mr. Aiken bought his 
valuable homestead, and settled down to the till- 
ing of the soil and iiortieultural employments. 

In the year 1872, in Port Byron, N. Y., George 
W. Aiken and Miss Amelia Doud were united in 
marriage. Mrs. Aiken is a native of New York, 
and a daughter of well-known and highly re- 
spected citizens of that Slate, under whose guid- 
ance she arrived at adult age an intelligent and 
industrious young woman, well fitted to undertake 
the experiences and vicissitudes of life. She re- 
ceived her education in the excellent schools of 
her native State, and in early womanhood re- 
moved witli her husband to the farther West, lo- 
cating in iSIichigan. The pleasant home of our 
subject and his estimable wife has been brightened 
by the birth of two children, a son and a daugh- 
ter. Jessie was born in 1874, and Edward Doud 
in 1886. The daughter, now in the dawn of 
womanhood, lias received superior educational ad- 
vantages and is a social favorite among a large 
circle of friends. 

Mr. Aiken has long been a valued member of 
the Unitarian Church in Grand Haven, and is a 
liberal giver in behalf of benevolent enterprise. 
He is fraternall}- associated with tiie Masons, and 
has for many 3-ears been connected witli that hon- 
ored order. Politically' a Republican, he is an ar- 
dent advocate of the party, but has never been an 
oflice-seeker nor has he any desire for public posi- 
tion. He is ever ready to extend aid in all matters 
of local enterprise, and is intimately associated with 
tiie growth and upward progress of the vital in- 
terests of his home localitj'. 



*.^='&^ 

-m^^--- 



^^^^ 



<A I^ALTER 1. LILLH-:, one of tiie promising 
\/sJ// y°""» attorneys of (Ji-and Haven, is a 
\f/^ man possessed of superior mental endow- 
ments, strengthened and enriched by the highest 
culture. His mind is clear, concise, anal^-tical and 
well poised, and he impresses one at once as a man 



of great strength, depth and grasp of mind. The 
most abstruse and complicated subjects are handled 
witli ease and grace, and made perceptible and 
plain to the most ordinary undeistandiiig. He is 
of a socal, genial disposition and lias a large share 
of those traits of character tiiat go to make up a 
poi)ular citizen. His professional career has been 
a success and he is regarded as one of the leading 
young attorneys of the city. He is a native of 
this county, born in Talhnage Township October 9, 
18oi», and the people have had every opportunity 
to judge of his character and qualifications, for 
he has resided heie the princi|)al part of his life. 

Joel B. and Sarah (Augur) Lillie, the parents of 
our subject, were natives of the State of New 
York, where the father followed agricultural pur- 
suits for a livelihood. The grandfather, Cyrus 
Lillie, was of Scotch descent, and the Augur famil3' 
was of .Scotch-Danish origin. In 1845 the father 
of our subject became convinced he could better 
his condition bj'a change of location, and he made 
his way to Michigan and located in Ottawa 
Count}-. He still resides in this county and makes 
his home at Coopersville, where he is highly es- 
teemed. His career ]M-esents an example of indus- 
tr3% perseverance and good management, rewarded 
by substantial results, well worthy the imitation 
of all. His children, five in number, two sons and 
three daughters, were in the order of their births 
as follows: Edith, wife of J. W. Park; Walter 
I.; Colon C; Emma E., who now resides in Los 
Angeles, Cal.; and Anna M., wife of William E. 
Baxter, who also resides in Los Angeles, Cal. 

Walter I. Lillie, the second in order of birth of 
the above-mentioned children, grew to manhood 
on his father's farm and received his primary edu- 
cation in the district schools. When twenty-one 
years of age he entered the Agricultural College 
at Lansing, Mich., and was activel}' engaged in 
his studies in that institution for four 3'ears. 
From there he came to Grand Haven and read law 
with George A. Farr, being admitted to tiie Bar at 
Grand Haven in November, 1884. The following 
winter he taught school, and during that time pur- 
sued his legal studies, afterwards entering the 
oflicc of Mr. Farr, where he remained two years. In 
the fall of 1886 he was elected Prosecuting Attor- 



POETli^UT A^B IJIOGll^iPIIICAL RECORD. 



283 



ney for Ottawa County on the Republican ticket, 
and served in that capacity two years. So great 
was his popuhirlty. and si> ably did he discharge 
tiie duties of that position, however' tliat lie was 
re-elected in 18t<8. He has heUl other prominent 
positions, and in his private life has been as exem- 
plary as in his iniblic career lie has been useful 
and intUiential. 

On the 28tli of September, 1886, Mr. l.illie was 
married to Miss KUa ^McOrath, of Dcnison. this 
count}', and the daughter of Jlichael Mctirath. 
Three children have been born to this union: 
Harold I., Leo C. and Walter Ivan. In politics 
-Mr. Lillie is a Repul)licnn and is deeply interested 
in county, State and national politics. He is at 
present City Attorney and is a member of the 
.ludicial Committee. 



^ 



^ 




ETII EVANS, an ellicient Supervisor and 
prominent iieneral agriculturist of Cedar 
Creek Township, Muskegon County, Mich., 
has for more than twenty-six years been 
closely identified with the best intei'ests of the 
State, and, a public-spirited citizen, lias materially 
aided in the vapid advancement of his home 
neighborhood and vicinity. A native of Xew 
England, Mr. Evans was born in Rhode Island 
and remained in his birthplace until he had at- 
tained his majority. His parents, Setli and Amy 
(Duffy) Evans, were higiily res|)ected and well- 
known residents of Rhode Island and gave their 
children the best possible opportunities for an 
education, training their sons and daughters 
to habits of industrious thrift and sturdy self- 
reliance. The father was a native of the old 
Ba)- State, the paternal grandfather Evans, born 
and reared in Wales, early emigrating to America 
and settling in Massachusetts, where, an honest 
and hard-working man, ho steadily made his up- 
ward way. The mother, a most estimable woman, 
w.as the descendant of a long line of energetic and 
intelligent ancestry. Marrying, the parents lo- 



cated pernianentl}' in Rhode Island, their pleasant 
home being blessed by the birth of thirteen chil- 
dren, twelve of whom lived to mature years, six 
yet surviving. 

One brother resides in New York and four of the 
family are located in Massachusetts, our subject 
being the only representative of the fainily in the 
Western country. Franklin Evans scr\ed in the 
Tnited States navy under Oen. Farragut at the 
siege of New Orleans, lint most of the brothers and 
sisters have spent their lives in Nevv England. .Seth, 
named in honor of his father, was married near the 
scenes of his cluidho<)<l and had arrived at middle 
age befoic he and his wife journeyed to the far West 
and made for their family a home in the Wolverine 
State. Our suliject was in 1842 united in mar- 
riage witli Miss Hannah Foster, a lady of fine 
ability and culture. After a companionship of 
nearly thirty years, death in 1871 deprived Mr. 
Evans of his wife, who passed away leaving no is- 
sue. A second time entering matrimonial bonds, 
our subject married Miss Mary Kruse, a native of 
Germany, who while young crossed the broad At- 
lantic to the United States. Six children have 
with their cheerful presence brightened the home 
of our subject and his worthy wife. John is the eld- 
est-boni; Frank is deceased; tlien followed in the 
order of their birtli .Icnnie; William; James, de- 
ceased; and Frederick, deceased. 

Arriving in Michigan in 1866 Mr. Evans set- 
tled at once in the locality where he now resides. 
At first he engaged in the shingle business, but fi- 
nally determined to give his entire attention to 
the pursuit of agriculture, and took up one hun- 
dred and twent}' acres of valuable land. Our 
suliject, financially prospered, later purchased one 
hundred and sixty acres and has brought under a 
high state of cultivation eighty acres, which annu- 
ally yield an abundant harvest. The line farm is 
further improved with excellent buildings, and 
presents a scene of thrift and [ilenty. I'oiiticall}' 
a Republican, Mr. Evans has with marked afnlily 
discharged the duties of various oflices of trust to 
the satisfaction of his fellow-townsmen and the 
general [lublic. He was from 186'.t elected four 
times successively 'i'own Clerk, and in 1871 be- 
came a popular Supervisor of Cedar Creek Town- 



284 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



ship, and has with fidelity occupied this respon- 
sible position continuously since, with the ex- 
ception of two years. Intiinatel}' associated with 
the rapid ]>rogrcss and upward growth of his 
township and county, our subject is widely known 
and highly esteemed as a neighbor, friend and lib- 
eral citizen, ever ready to aid in all matters of lo- 
cal enterprise or mutual welfare. 



'^^>|^€--^ 



iLBRIDGE G. ROTE is President of the 
Lakeside Iron Company, which owns one 
^/ of the leading industries of Muskegon, 
Mich. He is a native of tiie Empire State, his 
birth having occurred in Columbia County, N. Y., 
September 6, 1844. He traces his descent from 
ancestors who came from Germany to America in 
Colonial days. His parents, Matthias and Eliza- 
beth (Wyng) Rote, were both natives of New 
York, and there spent their entire lives, tlie father 
following the occupation of farming in order to 
provide for the wants of himself and family. 
There were three children, of whom our subject is 
the youngest. 

Mr. Rote spent his boyhood days in Ashtabula, 
Ohio, and attended its public schools, acquiring a 
good Englisli education. At the age of tweutv he 
began learning the machinist's trade in Aslitabula, 
and in 1866 went to East Saginaw, Mich., where he 
w.as further instructed in tiie business. In 1868 
we find him in Bay Cit>-, Jlich., where he estab- 
lished the Bay City Iron "Works, which were 
owned bj' an incorporated company, of whicii Mr. 
Rote was Treasurer for fifteen j'ears. Tiie concern 
was placed on a firm financial basisand did a good 
business. In 1884 lie came to Muskegon, where 
he has since made iiis home. The same year he 
organized the Lakeside Iron Company, of which 
David Barnes became the fii-st President, while he 
served as Secretary of the company. In 1885, how- 
ever, he succeeded Mr. Barnes in the Presidency, 
and has filled that office up to the present time, 
while C. S. Clover is now serving as Secretary and 



Treasurer. The works are located on Western 
Avenue, and employment is furnished to about 
twenty men, wlio are engaged in tlie manufacture 
of heavy maciiinery. They manufacture a steam 
log-loader and are making extensive sales of this 
throughout the West. 

In 1873 w.as celebrated the marriage of Mr. 
Rote and Miss Agnes Brown, of Bay City, Mich., 
a daughter of John Brown, a native of Scotland. 
Their union lias been blessed with four children, 
three sons and a daughter: Robert Justin, a ma- 
chinist; Cliarles Winfield, Archie Ray and Beulah 
Agnes, who complete tlie famil}'. The famih' 
residence is at No. 190 Western Avenue. The 
household is the abode of hospitality and its mem- 
bers rank high in social circles. 

Besides his liome and business, Mr. Rote also 
owns a good farm in Muskegon County. His suc- 
cess in life is all due to his own efforts, for he 
started out einpt3'-handed and hassteadil}- worked 
his way upward to a position of affluence, over- 
coming the difficulties and ostacles in his path b3' 
untiring labor, perseverance and a strong deter- 
mination to succeed. The Democratic party finds 
in him a supporter, but he has never been an office- 
seeker. He belongs to Bay City Lodge, A. E. & 
A. M., to the Order of the Eastern Star, and to 
Muskegon Lodge, A. O. U. W. 



-i-= 



^>-^^<; 




IQV— 



ILLIAM H. POTTER, a skilled workman 
!' and the efficient foreman of the boiler 
W^ department of the Ciiicago A West Michi- 
gan Railroad shops, Muskegon, Jlich., has en- 
joyed a wide experience in his present line of 
business, and in tlie various responsible positions 
which he has held has given faithful and (iractical 
service. Born in Brockville, Canada, December 20, 
1855, our subject is the son of George A. Potter, 
a native of England and the descendant of a long 
line of British ancestors who, by their diligent in- 
dustry and intelligent enterprise, have self-reli- 
antly won their upward wa^- to honored and use- 



PORTRAIT A^:D biographical RECORD. 



285 



ful influence. Tlie father settled in Canada in 
1838, and was married to 5Iiss Helen O'Bi'ien, 
whose forefathers were born and reared their fam- 
ilies in the Emerald Isle. William II., remain- 
ing in the country of his ijirlh during his early 
life, attended the home scliools and was trained 
carefully in hahits of energetic thrift. He was 
only a youth when he resolved to try his fortunes 
in the broader field of the United States, and at six- 
teen years of age he left Canada and, journeying 
to Elkhart, Ind., tiiere began life for himself. 

Giving his time for ten j^ears to an apprentice- 
ship to the boiler-making trade, he became thor- 
oughly versed in ever}- detail of the business, and 
later received profitable emploj'ment in the shops 
of the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Kailroad. 
During the ten years his salary was most limited, 
he receiving for the first j-ear only ?1 jter day, 
and an increase of twenty-five cents per day for 
each of the years following. A master of his 
trade, Mr. Potter finally bi'gan to make his way 
up the ladder of success. On the 1st of Sep- 
tember, 1879, after a long journey, he arrived 
in Ft. Wortli, Tex., and there for a time worked 
in tiie sho[)s of the Texas Pacific Railroad, thence 
de|)arting to Toyah, Tex., wiiere he took charge 
of tiie boiler de|)artraent of tiie sliops of the 
Texas Pacific Railroad, remaining in the latter 
town eight months. In the spring of 1881 Mr. 
Potter came to Muskegon and entered the shops 
of whicli lie is now the department foreman of the 
boiler works. He has under his supervision nine- 
teen men and does the repairing of the entire sys- 
tem managed Ijy the eorpoiation. Without any 
de.sire for political honors, our suljjeet is neverthe- 
less intelligently posted on governmental affairs, 
and is an ardent Democrat and a firm sup[)orter of 
the party. 

Fraternally, Mr. Potter is a member of Lodge 
No. 133, A. (). I'. W., and has many sincere friends 
within the order. In 1873 Wiilinm H. Potter and 
Miss Florence K. King were united in marriage. 
The estimable wife of our subject was a native of 
\'ermout and the daughter of .lohn I.. King. In- 
telligent children have blessed the [jleasant home 
of Mr. and Mrs. I'otter, and in the handsome resi- 
dence, No. 33 Ottawa Street, four daughters now 



assemble. Two sons, the youngest-born, have 
passed away. The brothers and sisters were in 
the order of their birth: Florence E., Maud M., 
AVilhelmina, Sallie G., and William H. and an 
infant, deceased. The daughters are favorites 
with a large circle of friends and are enjoying the 
excellent educational advantages of their liome 
cit3'. Mr. and Mrs. Potter are ready aids in mat- 
ters of public enterprise, religious and benevolent, 
and command the •high regard of the general 
public. 



H++*+,^m*+**t- 



~4"5"5-+'? 



S?-i"H-*F 



\I/_, ENRY B. W. VANZALINGEN, an archi- 
ll tect and builder of Muskegon, is a native 
"^ of Holland. He w.is born Noveml)er 15, 
1824, and is a son of John and Bertha 
(Ebbaning) Yanzalingcn. The father was an arcli- 
itectand builder and followed tliat business during 
the greater part of his active life. His son, whose 
name heads this sketch, was educated in the 
schools of his native land, and at the age of six- 
teen he began learning tiie business of a carpen- 
ter, builder and architect, under the direction of 
his father. He followed that pursuit in Holland 
until he arrived at the age of tliirty Ncars, when 
he resolved to seek a home and fortune in America. 
It w.as in 18.')t that our subject bade adieu to 
friends and native land and took passage on a 
sailing-vessel Westward bound, which at length 
dropped anchor in tiic harbor of iS'ow York. He 
went at once from that cit}' to Grand Hapids, 
"Mich., where he spent the four succeeding years of 
his life. Gn the expiration of that period he came 
to Muskegon, in 1H.")8, and began contracting and 
building on his own account. In 1^(11 he built 
the first union scliooliiouse, and he has erected 
many of tiie leading residences, stores and business 
blocks of the cil,y. lie also erected the court 
house, whicli was a fine structure, and which was 
destroyed in the great fire of I8;tl, which burned 
outeighteen blocks in Muskegon. His own dwell- 
ing and all his houseliolil goods wore also swept 
away. Mr. ^■anzalingell soon afterward, however, 



286 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



erected a large and substantial residence, built in a 
modern style of architecture and s^upplicd with 
all conveniences and improvements. 

In 1849, ere leaving the Fatherland, our subject 
was united in marriage with Miss Bertha Vannif- 
trik, a genial and intelligent lady, also a native of 
Holland. Unto them have been born six children: 
Mary, wife of Mat Hopper; Anna, a leading dress- 
maker, who carries on quite an establishment in 
that line; Mattie, at home; Harrj-, who is manager 
of the Muskegon Hardware Company' and a stock- 
holder in the same; Jennie, wife of Hon. O. B. 
Fuller, Representative from the Upper Peninsula; 
and Minnie, wife of John H. Moore, a lumber in- 
spector. They also have six grandchildren. 

In politics, Mr. Vanzalingen is a Democrat, and 
has been honored with a number of positions of 
l)ubiic trust. He served ten years as County Sur- 
veyor of Muskegon County, and was also City 
Surveyor of Big Rapids. Himself and wife arc 
members of the Congregational Church, and are 
worthy people of the community, who have a wide 
circle of friends and acquaintances. 



•Ij^ . EUMANN LAKGE, the energetic and pop- 

|i ular manager of the Lange Transfer C'oni- 
■B)^^^ Vi^ny, of ^Muskegon, Mich., has for nearly 
v^) two-score years been identified willi the 
leading interests of his home city, and during this 
length of time has occupied a prominent position 
.as an able business man and enterprising citizen. 
Our subject, a native of Prussia, was born in Bee- 
skow, March U, 1825. His father, William, born, 
reared and educated in the Old Country, there 
spent his entire life, and amid the scenes of his 
childhood attained to inatuie years, and after a 
long career of industrious usefulness passed away 
in (iermany in 18.'57, mourned liy many friends 
and relatives. The mother, Wilhelmina (Sflimidt) 
J^ange, also a native of Prussia and a woman of 
excellent ability and upright character, survived 



her husband, who died when our subject was only 
a lad twelve years of age. The father, by occu- 
pation a brewer, left his family well provided for, 
and during his boyhood Hermann attended the ex- 
cellent public schools of the Fatherland. Our sub- 
ject was the fifth of the seven sons who with their 
cheerful presence brightened the home of the par- 
ents. The children were trained by their wise and 
prudent mother to habits of indnstrious thrift, and 
grew up inlclligent and self-reliant. 

Hermann Lange, remaining to adult age in his 
native land, well improved the opportunities of 
instruction he received, and when nineteen years 
of age, in 1844, journeyed to France, and, enlist- 
ing in the French army, served with courage for 
some five 3eais. From 1849 variously employed 
until 1853, our subject at the latter period of 
time, then twenty-eight years old, finally resolved 
to try his fortunes in America, and, embarking 
from the nearest seaport, in safety crossed the 
broad Atlantic and was lauded in Boston, from 
which city he proceeded directly to Buffalo, later 
making his home in Cleveland, Ohio. The succeed- 
ing 3'ear, 1854, Mr. Lange removed to Michigan 
and settled permanently in Muskegon, where for 
fifteen continuous years he eng.aged in the saw- 
mill luisiness. A man of excellent habits and a 
good financial manager, he i)rospered, but later 
changed his employment, and has since 1869 suc- 
cessfully conducted a draying and transfer busi- 
ness, which, established for nearly a (piarter of a 
century, enjoys the custom of a large trade. The 
handsome home of Mr. Lange, No. 84 Terrace 
Street, one of the most desirable residence streets 
of Muskegon, is well known to a wide circle of 
old-time friends. 

In 1861, Hermann Lange and Miss Henrietta 
Lange were united in marriage, receiving the con- 
gratulations of a large acquaintance. The union 
of our subject and his estimable w-ife has been 
blessed by the birth of an intelligent family of 
five children, three daughters and two sons. The 
brothers and sisters are in the order of their birth, 
Emma, Minnie, Robert, James and Clara. The en- 
tire family occupy positions of uscfuhiess and 
sociall_v enjoy the esteem of all who know them. 
The sons and daughters, receiving excellent edu- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



287 



cational advantages, have worthily fitted them- 
selves for the duties of coming life. Our subject 
is fraternally :i member of German Lodge No. 96, 
I. O. O. F.. and, politic.illy a stanch Republican, is 
activelv interested in local and national issues. 



<^ 







ARENUS VANDER BOSCII. There is an 
obscurity in tlic game of life that to the 
robust mind is alwaj'S attractive. Tlie im- 
portant uncertainty of the final outcome, 
and its value to all, serve as incentives to great 
deeds, and to push forward and win in the battle is 
the one common impulse and ambition of Iniman- 
it3'. Among those who have fought tlie battle of 
life bravely is Marenus Vander Bosch, who is now 
a retired merchant of Grand Haven, Jlicii. He is a 
native of Holland, having first seen llie light of day 
on the 3d of January, 1849, a son of Rev. Koanne 
and Maria (Rooks) ^'andor Bosch, tlie father be- 
ing a well-known minister of the Holland Chris- 
tian Reformed Church. They were born, reared 
and married in Holland, but finall3' decided to 
bring up their cliildreu in America, and arrived in 
this country- in May, 18.57. After a short resi- 
dence in the city of New York thej' came to 
Grand Haven, Mich., from which place they went 
to Cliicago and there spent several j^ears. The 
father is now a resident of Grand Haven and is in 
the seventy-fifth ^-ear of his age. His wife died 
in Grand Haven in 1887. Her four sons and one 
daughter are all honored and substantial residents 
of (irand Haven. 

In the public schools of his native land and in 
America Marenus A'ander Bosch obtained a prac- 
tical education, well suited to the life he has led, 
and his youtliful days, when not in school, were 
spent in farming, or rather in learning the details 
of this calling. After attaining a suitable age he 
began working at the carpenter's trade, but after 
following tiiat business for eight years he gave it 
up to turn iiis attention to otiier pursuits. He 
then became a member of the firm of G. Vander 



Bosch & Brc, dealers in general merchandise in 
Grand Haven, which (irm successfully continued 
to do business for thirteen years. They carried a 
large and exceptionally well-selected stock of 
goods at all times, and as it was well arranged and 
sold at the most reasonable figures, a large and lu- 
crative patronage was the natural result, and the 
firm prospered. At the end of the above-men- 
tioned thirteen years Marenus \'ander ISosch re- 
tired from tlie firm, or rather from its active man- 
agement, but still retained an interest in the busi- 
ness. 

Mr. Vander Bosch and his famil^^ are now living 
in the enjo}'ment of a competency-, which is the 
result of continued and undeviating effort in the 
early part of his career. His marriage with Miss 
Ileneberta Korbyn, a native of Germany, was cel- 
ebrated on the 1st of August, 181)9, she being a 
daughter of Bastean Korbyn. She is an earnest and 
consistent member of the Holland Christian Re- 
formed Church, in which Mr. Vander Bosch has 
been an Elder for the p.ast eight years. He is a 
wide-awake man of business and has interested him- 
self in other lines of business besides the mercan- 
tile, being a stockholder in the Grand Haven Fur- 
niture Company'. He has a pretty and comforta- 
ble home in CJrand Haven. In politics, he has al- 
ways been a stanch supporter of the principles of 
Republicanism. He has in his possession a bible 
which belonged to his grandfather, Thomas Van- 
der Bosch, and which was published in 1690, thus 
making it over two hundred j-ears old. It is still 
in a good state of preservation and is highl}' val- 
ued by Mr. Vander Bosch. 



\STIAN .STEKETEE. The (piestion of 
food supplies is one of the fi|-st with which 
the human family has to grapple, and, 
viewing the competition from a general 
standpoint, it will be admitted that the well- 
appointed grocery establishment does the larg- 
est share toward the solution of the problem 




288 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



of feeding the masses. In sucli connection we 
make due reference to the i)opular grocery of 
Bastian Steketee, in Holland, Mich. This pop- 
ular business man carries a fine line of dry goods, 
groceries, crocker}', etc., and the prices are such 
that no house can surp.ass him with the same qual- 
ity' of goods. The business is conducted with 
vigor and push, and patrons are afforded prompt 
and courteous service, while the stock is continu- 
ally being replenished and kejit choice and 
attractive. 

Mr. Steketee was born in Grand Rapids, Mich., 
February 9, 1855, and was one of fifteen children 
born to John and Maria (Fraanje) Steketee, both 
natives of Holland, but the father of German 
extraction, and the mother of French descent. 
The father followed the occupation of a con- 
tractor in his native country, and there re- 
mained until 1847, when he and his wife and nine 
children crossed the ocean to America. Thej' 
located in Holland, Mich., but subsequently moved 
to Zealand, where the father bought a farm and 
entered actively upon his career as a tiller of the 
soil. In 1853 he sold out and moved to Grand 
Rapids, where he was engaged in business until 
1858, and then came to Ottawa Count}', Mich., set- 
tling at Georgetown. From there he moved to 
Holland, this State, and there his death occurred 
in 1878. The mother followed him to the grave 
the following year. Both were devoted members 
of the Reformed Church, and people well liked 
wherever the}' made their home. A strange 
thing connected with this family is that all the 
children, fifteen in number, are now living, are 
married and have families. 

The scholastic training of our subject was 
received in the old log schoolhouse of pioneer 
da^'s, and when thirteen years of age he began 
clerking in a store in Holland, Mich., and was thus 
engaged for fourteen ^a-ars, or until 1883, when he 
embarked in business with his brother Peter. 
Five years later he bought out his brother and has 
since continued the business alone. He started 
with a capital of $1800, and now has one of the 
largest groceries in the city. His store is very 
tastefuU}' fitted u|), adinirald}' arranged and well 
stocked with everything ke[)t in a first-class gro- 



cery. Five clerks are engaged, and every courtesy 
is extended the customers. 

In the year 1876; Mr. Steketee was happily 
married to Miss Ida E. Vanpell, a daughter 
of Herman ^'anpoll, who came to this countiy 
from the Netherlands at an early date. Seven 
children have been born to this union, all now 
living, and tlie eldest sixteen 3-ears of age. In po- 
litical views Mr. Steketee is a decided Republican, 
and in religion he isa meniberof the First Reformed 
Church, in which he is Deacon, having held that 
position for about eight years. He is interested 
in Sunday-school work and has taught a class for 
about twentv-two vears. 



11 



"jf' ACOB BAAR. It is impossible to place too 
high an estimate on the importance of the 
real-estate business in comparison with the 
^^^^ various other elements of commercial and 
financial value; certainly none other rests upon a 
more conservative and highly honorable basis as 
regards methods and transactions. There are num- 
erous persons who pursue the occupation of real- 
estate agents with credit and success, and earn a 
well-merited reputation for the conscientious and 
efficient manner with wliicli they conduct affairs 
intrusted to their charge. Among those of this 
class may be mentioned Jacob Baar, who is well 
known in Grand Haven, for he has resided here 
many years and has ever been identified with the 
improvement and upbuilding of the city. He is 
now engaged in the real-estate and loan business, 
and by his straightforward manner of conducting 
affairs cominands the respect of all. 

Mr. Baar was born in the then village of Grand 
Haven, May 16, 1859, to the union of Simon and 
Helena (Yonker) Baar, both natives of the Nether- 
lands. 1 11 1 854 the parents emigrated to the United 
States with the hope of making a home for them- 
selves in "the land of the free and the home of the 
brave." They first settled in Chicago, but moved 
from there to Kalamazoo, and in 1857 came to 
Grand Haven, Mich., where they have since re- 
sided. Our sul)ject, the third in order of birth of 




• ^*^J' 




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



291 



four children, reached mature years in Grand 
Haven and secured a j^dcid |irmtii-;il education in 
the seli(H)l!i of the same. He bcijMn olerkingin the 
liardware store of G. W. Miller, and eontinued in 
tiiat gentleman's employ for five years, acpiimii- 
lating considerable means in the mean time. .Vfter 
that he was in the eni|)loy of George K. Hubbard, 
hardware dealer, until 1880, when he was elected 
to the ofHee of Registrar of Deeds of Ottawa 
County, tilling that position in a capable and elli- 
cient manner for two j'cars. So satisfactorily did 
he discharge the duties of that oltice that in 1882 
he was re-elected, and tilled that position for two 
years longer. After leaving the office he embarked 
in the real-estate business, to which up to the 
present he has devoted most of his time and atten- 
tion. In commercial circles he enjoys the highest 
confidence and is rccogn ized as an honorable, I'e- 
liahle business man, and as a liberal and public- 
spirited citizen commands the lespect of all. 

In the month of September, 1878, our subject 
w.os mairied to Miss Hatlie Slaghuis, of Grand 
Haven, Mich., daughter of Ahram Slaghuis, who 
fought for the (JId Kag during the Rebellion. To 
Mr. and Jlrs. Baar have been born four children, 
three daughters and a son. He and his wife hold 
membership in the Reformed Church, and for 
three terms he was Director in his school district. 
He has a very pleasant home in Grand Jlaven, a 
neat, tasty residence and a large lawn ornamented 
■with huge maple trees and choice slirubbor}'. Mr. 
Baar is a descendant of an old and pro:ninent 
family and is an honor to his name. He is active 
in his support of matters of public importance, 
and takes a deep interest in the success of the 
Democratic party, with which he has long been 
identified. 



^^^^^m^ 



s 



iRANK SCOTT, dealer in line wines and 
l_™,j liquors at Muskegon, is a man of excellent 
^ business ability, and for thirty-six years 

has been associated with the growth and prosper- 
ity of the city where he now resides and where 
year after year he ha.s successfully conducted his 
14 



present line of trade. Afr. Scott is a native of 

England, and was boin in London .lanuary 7, 
1824. His father, George Scott, was born, reared 
and educated in Englaiul, and lo'ng after arriving 
at mature age, emigrated to .\merica and located 
in Michigan. Nine children blessed his marriage, 
our subject being the third in order of birth. He 
attended in childhood the schools of his native 
land and early beginning the struggle of lile en- 
joyed but little recreation even in his youthful 
days. He was only fourteen years of age when, in 
1838, he embarked upon the long voyage to the 
land of promise, of which he had heard and read 
so much. Sixty-eight days were occn[)ied in mak- 
ing the i)assage, and during the two months upon 
the water the energetic and ambitious boy formed 
many plans for a future in the United Slates. 

Landing in New York City, our subject made 
but a brief stay in the great metropolis of the 
East. and. journeying still farther to the West- 
ward, located in the city of Detroit, Mich., where 
he secured employment as a sailor upon the Lakes, 
continuing in that vocation for a lime. Later he 
sailed ui)on the Atlantic and while thus employed 
visited the West Indies, m 1819. Enjoying the 
roaming life which gave him a home in every 
port, he once more, after returning from the West 
Indies, followed the Lakes as an occupation, but 
in 1857, permanently settling in Muskegon, en- 
tered into his present business, which he has pros- 
perously managed ever since. He has achieved a 
comfortable competence and owns valuable city 
property, including two substantial aiid commo- 
dious brick buildings, two stories in height and lo- 
cated on Clay Avenue. This projierty brings in a 
handsome rental and (lining the last tew years has 
materially advanced in value. 

In IH."),'?, Frank Scott and Jliss Helen Cleaver 
were united in man iage. shoilly al'lci- the return 
of the former from llie West Indies. .Mrs. Scott, 
a lady of worth and intelligence, is a native of 
England and was educated in lln' land of her 
birth. Tiie home of Mr. and Airs. Scott was 
cheered by the presence of three children, two 
sons and a daughter: (icorge, .Jessie Helen an<l 
Charles (i. The sister and brothers received their 
education in Muskegon, where thev attendeii the 



292 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



public schools. The pleasant family residence is 
desirably located at No. 150 Amity Street. Our 
subject is politicall3' a strong Democrat and an ar- 
dent advocate of the "Party of the People." Dur- 
ing his long residence in Miiskegon he has been 
identified with the promotion of various public 
enterprises and is widely known as a man of lib- 
eral spirit and progressive ide.as. A sincere friend 
and kind neighbor, ever generous to those less 
fortunate than himself, he is one of the most pop- 
ular citizens of Muskegon and possesses the high 
regard of a host of friends. 



5it-^"i^|;^^ 



T/AMES P. FALLON. There is nothing 
I which adds so much to the safety and se- 
1 curity of the people of a town or city as an 
(^^ active, well-trained, vigilant and excel- 
lently equipped fire department. The history of 
the measures for fire prevention in Muskegon is 
an interesting one, for the liandj' wooden bucket 
and the nimble feet of such as would help com- 
posed the equipments of the early residents. 
James P. Fallon, who is Chief of the fire depart- 
ment in Muskegon, is a practical and first-class 
engineer, and one who thoroughly understands 
his business. He is a native of the Nutmeg State, 
born in the southwestern part .lune 12, 18.59, and 
the son of Patrick and Sabiua (Caughlin) Fallon, 
both natives of the Green Isle of Erin. 

The parents were brought to America when chil- 
dren and settled in Hartford, Conn., where thej- 
grew to mature years and married. The father 
dealt quite extensively in live stock, and after re- 
siding there for some years moved to Meuomo- 
nee. Wis., where the parents live at the present 
time. Their union was blessed by the birth of 
nine children, four sons and five daughters. Our 
subject removed with his parents to Wi-sconsin in 
1874, and assisted his father to cultivate and im- 
prove one hundred and twenty acres of good land. 
While residing with his parents in Connecticut, 
he received a fair education in the common 



schools, and by observation he has since increased 
that until he is now one of the best-posted young 
men in Muskegon. 

Our subject left the farm in 1876, and began 
working for Plankinton & Armour, remaining 
with that company for two jears. In 1878 he 
made his advent into the citj' of Muskegon. This 
was in the autumn, and he was with the McGraft 
Company, in this city, for three years. He then went 
with the Booming Companj-, and remained there six 
months, and in .lulj', 1879, became driver in the 
fire department at No. 1 engine house. He was 
then made Captain of the fire department, and 
filled that position three years, after which he was 
appointed Chief Engineer and Fire Marshal May 
5, 1887, holding the former position at the present 
time. He thoroughly understands his business 
and is one of the most efficient officers the city 
has ever had. 

In Februarj-, 1885, Mr. Fallon was married to 
Miss Annie L. Tromp, a native of Muskegon, and 
the daughter of Samuel and Mary (Flaley) Tromp. 
One daughter. M.ary H., has been born of this un- 
ion. Mr. Fallon is a. member of several secret or- 
ganizations and was County Delegate of the Amer- 
ican Order of llil)ernians and also Regent in the 
Royal Arcanum. In 1892 he was elected Vice-Pres- 
ident of the National Association of Fire Engineers. 
He has a pleasant re:>idence at No. 33 North First 
Street, and is a popular man in the community. 



-^l 



E. 



11^ 



e.ESAR THOMAS, M. I)., an accomplished 
general medical practitioner and skillful 
' surgeon, whose extended experience in vari- 
ous foreign hospitals and upon the battlefield 
has well earned linn an enviable reputation as a 
master of his profession, has for some eight years 
successfully practiced in his present locality-, and 
resides at No. 20 East Webster Avenue, Muskegon, 
Mich. Our subject was born in Bex, Switzerland, 
April 5, 1852. His father, Louis Thomas, a native 
of the same mountainous country, was the son of 



PORTRAIT AND IJlOGRziPIIICAL RliCORD 



29;? 



Louis Thomas, and botli tlie father and tlio paternal 
<''raii(l father were reared and educated and died in 
the vicinity of tiieir liirthi)lace, neither experienc- 
in<^ any desire to leave liis native hmd. De- 
scended from a long line of stunly. Iionest, God- 
fearing |)eo|)le, they lived out their (juiet lives 
amid the beloved and familiar scenes of their 
j-outh. ( )iir suhjecl received his primary educa- 
tion in Switzerland, and. a studious lad, determined 
to acquire a profession, and chose that of medicine. 
lie later enjoyed opportunities of instruction in 
Uavaria and Strasburg, Prussia. He was at one 
time Assistant Physician in the hospital at I$asel, 
Switzerland, where he remained for two and a- 
half years, prolitiiig by the supervision of more 
experienced physicians and enjoying superior op- 
portunities for observation and study. 

Dr. Thomas served for one year in the army of 
JSwitzerland, but in 188(1 linally resolveil to emi- 
grate to America, where after a safe voyage he 
landed in the metropolis of New York, and thence 
proceeding to the interior of the Empire Stale 
practiced his profession for three years in Sworm- 
ville. In 1883 our subject, rccrossing the ocean, 
revisited his native land and indulged in more 
extended travel, journeying through Africa and 
spending some time in .Vlgiers. At hist return- 
ing to America, Dr. Thomas, .Ian uary 10, 188,5, 
arrived in .Muskegon, since then his permanent 
home. Opening au odice, our subject has from 
that lime devoted himself without intermission to 
the demands of a large practice, in wliich he li.as 
been especially successful, handling the most com- 
plicated diseases with the skill ac(|uired only by 
experience. Aside from the numerous patients 
he has within the limits of the city. Dr. Thomas 
covers an immense outside territory, his country 
practice being an important feature of his daily 
rounds. 

Our subject, who is a valued ineinbcr of the West 
Michigan .Medical Association, and likewise a mem- 
ber of the Muskegon .Medical .\ssociation, still 
preserves his habits of study and scientific research. 
lie was at one time a member of a (ierinan as- 
sociation of physicians and surgeons, and has at 
various times made valuable conlribiitions to the 
discussions concerning a variety of diseases aud 



their specific treatment. In July, 1889, Dr. 
Thomas was unilcd in marriage wilh Dr.iier 
Theresia (jerst, a native of (iermany and :\ lady 
of worth and intelligence. ^Irs. Thomas is a 
member of the Catholic ('IiuitIi and, interested 
in religious advancement, is active in gu(jd work. 
Our subject is fraternally a member of the Knights 
of the Maccabees and, politically, is a pn nounced 
Democrat and a lirni believer in Iht; principles 
and platform of the " Party of the People." De- 
voted to his professional work. Dr. Thomas has 
neither time nor inclination to enter the poliiical 
field, but is heart aud soul a true and loyal .\nu'i- 
ican citizen, interested in both local and nati<uial 
Government. 




ON. MARTIN WAAI.KKS. In reviewing 
the various branches of induslria! and 
commercial enterprises in the city of Mus- 
,, kegon, Mich., it is our desire to mention 
in this volume only those houses which are thor- 
oughly representative in the peculiar line of busi- 
ness in which they are engaged. In following 
out this intention we know of no house in the 
city more worthy' of special mention than that of 
Martin Waalkes, deilcr in clotliing and gents' 
furnishing goods, and ex-Mayor of .Muskegon. In 
clothing he carries a full assortment of the late.-t 
styles and patteins, suited to every season, and the 
business is conducted in a thoroughly first-class 
manner. He has made a complete success of his 
business, but only liy dint of selling the very best 
articles at the very lowest prices. 

Mr. Waalkes was born in the Netherlands. Hol- 
land, March 1, 18.') 1, to the union of John and 
Grietje (Wieringa) Waalkes. The father was a 
carpenter by trade, and followed that occuijation 
in his native country until ISCG, when he grew 
restive, bad adieu to friends and scenes long loved, 
and pitched the liousehold tent in Muskegon, 
.Mich. In this city he followed his business as car- 



294 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



penter and he is well known and respected in the 
community. This worth}' couple became the par- 
ents of six children, of whom our subject was the 
eldest. For the most part our subject's school 
days were passed in his native country, but after 
coming to Muskegon he attended a three-months 
school, where he acquired a fair knowledge of the 
English branches. 

After leaving tlie scliool room young Waalkes 
began clerking in the grocery store of R. Kief, 
continued with that gentleman several 3'ears, and 
then for two years was in a clothing-store. Later, 
he began clerking for Callan & Dratz, clothiers, 
and following this was with H. S. Hensen for four 
years. During the time he was with the latter 
gentleman he was Alderman of the Third Ward 
in the city of Muskegon. Later, he was elected 
to the office of Count}- Treasurer one term, and 
filled the position in a most satisfactory manner. 
He has held other important positions, among them 
that of Deputy Treasurer for four years, and in 
every instance has discharged tlie duties in a most 
exemplary manner. Few men have lived more 
quietly and unostentatiousl}' tlian he, and yet few 
have exerted a more salutary influence upon the 
immediate society in which they move, or im- 
pressed a community witli a more jjrofound re- 
liance on their honor, ability and sterling worth. 
His life lias not been illustrious with startling or 
striking contrasts; but it has shown how a laud- 
able ambition may be gratified when accompanied 
by pure motives, perseverance, industry and stead- 
fastness of purpose. 

In 1888 Mr. Waalkes started in business on his 
own account, in partnership with Burt Stuit, 
under the name of Waalkes A Stuit, and has con- 
tinued tliis until the present time. In 1889 he 
was elected Mayor of the city of Muskegon on the 
Democratic ticket, and served three terms by re- 
election, thus evincing his popularity. For a time 
he was a stockholder and Director in the Muskegon 
Savings Bank. In the year 1872 he was married 
to Miss Trienlje Dik,of Muskegon, .and eight chil- 
dren have been given them, six sons and two 
daughters. Politically, he is a Democrat, and, re- 
ligiously, a member of the Christian Reformed 
Church. 



^^ HARLES A. BROTT, Postmaster at Moor- 

II _ land and one of the founders of this thriv- 
^^^ ing little village, was born in Casenovia 
Township, Muskegon County, Mich., on the 24th 
of October, 1858. He is a son of Jeremiah and 
Lodica (Piatt) Rrott, natives of New York, wlio 
migrated to Michigan in 1845 and settled on a farm 
in Polkton Township, Ottawa County. Thence, in 
1857, they removed to Casenovia, Muskegon 
County, where they have since resided. The father, 
who is a farmer by occupation, is a man possessing 
sterling qualities of mind and heart, and is highly 
regarded by the people of his communit}'. 

The subject of this sketch is the youngest of 
eight children, six of whom are now living. He 
received the advantages of a common-school edu- 
cation, and at the age of twent3'-three began in 
business for himself. Having learned the trade of 
a carpenter, he followed that occupation for live 
years, and then embarked in the mercantile busi- 
ness, purchasing the stock of Jacob D. Hart, of 
Canada Corners, Casenovia Township. Twoj'ears 
later he sold his business interests at that place to 
Hiram Thompson, and removed to Moorland Town- 
ship, where he purchased forty acres, part of which 
is the present site of the village of Moorland. 
He aided in platting the town, and the Toledo 
Saginaw iV Muskegon Railroad having been com- 
pleted in 1888, he built a store and put in a general 
stock of merchandise. 

Soon after commencing in this enterprise, JMr. 
Brott met with a very serious accident, causing the 
death of his eldest child and the loss of the greater 
portion of his stock of goods. The accident w.as 
due to the carelessness of a hunter, whose gun was 
discharged into a large keg of powder, producing 
a terrible explosion and demolishing the entire 
front portion of the building. This misfortune 
so nearly disheartened Mr. Brott that it was only 
through the encouragement of his friends that he 
re-engaged in business at this pl.ace. Notwithstand- 
ing his reverses, he is now on a substantial footing 
financially and is one of the most prosperous men 
of the town. He is the present Postmaster at 
Moorland, having been appointed to that office in 
1891, previous to which time he had been Deputy. 

May 10, 1879, Mr. Brott was united in marriage 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



295 



with Miss Myra J., daughter of Henry A. and Mary 
(Gibbs) Dodge, both natives of New York and 
since 1807 ivsidents of Michigan. Of this union 
there were l)orn live children, three of whom are 
now living: Ada L., Nettie and Charles William. 
Hyron N. died at the age of five years, and Frankie 
passed away wlien an infant of six months. So- 
ciallj', Mr. Brott is a member of Ravenna Lodge 
No. 3.55, L O. O. v., also of the order of Maccabees 
at Moorland, and is now Keeper of the lodge at 
this place. In politics a Republican, he has served 
in numerous olHcial positions to wiiich lie has ijeen 
elected on the party ticket. He has been Township 
Clerk for six successive terms and is the present 
incumlient. Aside from ills mercantile business, he 
is largely interested in lumbering and milling. The 
milling company of which he is a member has done 
an extensive business, and is now preparing to en- 
large its capacity and add a box factoi'i'. 



m>^^<l 



^ji^) NOS STONE. Americans are the greatest 
|» travelers on the globe, and, as a natural 
/j' — -^ consequence, in every town of any import- 
ance a good livery stable is an absolute necessity, 
and adds much to the comfort and convenience 
of the traveler. Enos .Stone is the proprietor of 
a livery and feed stable at Grand Haven, Mich., 
which is a credit to the town and to the enterprise 
of the man now at its head. He comes from a 
State whose men arc noted for their push, enter- 
prise and intellectual ability — New York — his 
birth occurring in Essex County August 10, 1826. 
His father. Ephraim Stoue, was a native of the 
Green Mountain State, and his mother, whose 
maiden name was Iluldah Wilcox, w.as also born 
there. Epliraim was reared to the laborious duties 
of farming and lumbering, and later operated a 
carding-machinc in the State of New York, whither 
he moved at an early day. 

In the Empire State Enos Stone attained to 
man's estate, and his education, like that of far- 
mers' sons generally, w:is of that character that 



develops the muscles while expanding the mind, 
giving to both the culture so necessary to success 
in life. The common schools of the State of New 
York were employed to implant the rudiments of 
an English education, and he succeeded in acquir- 
ing a practical knowledge of tlie ordinary branches 
of le'irning. Both of his parents died wiien he 
was in his thirteenth 3'ear, and at this immature 
age he was left to struggle with adversity as best 
he could, and for some time found it diflicult to 
provide himself with the bare necessities of life. 
He struggled manfully onward, and at last came 
to the conclusion that the West offered better in- 
ducements to the young and enterprising man 
than the older East, and he accordingl}-, in 1847, 
went to Summit County. Ohio, where he secured 
employniont in a sawmill, and later worked on a 
farm for some years. Later he began dealing in 
horses, cattle and sheep, and also bought and sold 
considerable real estate, especially farming land. 

In 1872 he came to Grand Haven. Mich., and 
purchased an interest in a sawmill, in which he be- 
gan the manufacture of |)ine lumber as a member 
of the firm of Bigelow, Stone ik Co., which busi- 
ness connection continued for six years. It proved 
a failure financially, and besides $10,(100 wliich he 
lost he was in debt *700 at the end of that time. 
After a time he began handling wood, the annual 
amount controlled by him amounting to seven 
thousand cords. He is now doing an exceedingly 
prosperous livery business, and his former experi- 
ence with horses has stood him in good stead, his 
animals and vehicles being well cared for and at 
all times ready for the use of the traveling public. 

In 1848 he married Miss Hattie Armstead, of 
Columbus, Ohio, wlio died, leaving him with three 
children to care for: Maiy J.,now a widow; Henry 
H. and Bert. His second marriage occurred in 
Summit County, Ohio, Miss Jane Trotter becoming 
his wife, to which union no children have been 
born. In politics, Mr. Stone has by no means 
been a partisan, but has always been very con- 
servative, and votes for the man whom he consid- 
ers most likely to labor for the good of his section. 
Notwithstanding the fact that his early life was 
marked by many liardships, and that later in life 
he met with severe Gnancial losses, he has been 



296 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



reasonably successful from a business standpoint, 
and is now possessed of a comfortable competence. 
His business qualities are of that class that suc- 
ceed by steady industry, i)eiseveiing toil and in- 
corru|)tible lionesty. He is generous in disposi- 
tion and genial in manners, and as a natural con- 
sequence lias a host of friends. 



_j.j..|..j..j.^ 
^ •£•♦■{• •5'^ 






« 



AMES CAVANAUGH, a prominent builder 
and contractor of Muskegon, Mich., is a 
veteran of the late Civil War and has occu- 
pied with distinguished abilitj' various im- 
portant i)Ositions of ti'ust in his lionie city. Born 
in Grand Manan, in the li.iy of Fundy, Province 
of New Brunswick, on the 27th of Noveinlier, 
1832, our subject was the son of William and 
Nancy N. (Starr) Cavanaugli. both natives of 
County Tyrone, Ireland, from which locality the 
father emigrated to New Brunswick, settling in 
St. .lohn ill 182(5. The iiKjther, attaining to adult 
age in the Old Country, later journeyed to NeW' 
Brunswick, where she married and became the 
mother of tliirtecii children, of whom James was 
the third in order of biitli. While ^et a little lad, 
five years of age, Mr. Cavanaugli .witii his [larents 
removed to New York City, where in early child- 
hood he attended the coinmou schools and re- 
ceived his primary education. Apprenticed at 
thirteen years of age to a morocco manufacturer, 
our subject passed seven ^ears of his life in ac- 
quiring the details of a trade in which he became 
an acknowledged expert and a craflMuan of more 
than ordiiiaiy skill. He [lerfected a system for the 
tanning and dressing of lambskins .-iiid the man- 
ufacturing of white kid gloves, and brought both 
art and science to beai- upon tli(^ complicated bus- 
iness. 

In ln.'il Mr. Cavanaugli made his home in De- 
troit and on account of his health abandoned his 
former occupation and engaged in business as a 
carpenter and ship-joimn-, remaining in this line of 



work until 1857,when he removed to Grand Rapids. 
In 1861, answering to the call of the Government, 
our subject enlisted at Grand Rapids in Company 
A, Third Michigan Infantry, which company was 
originally the old Valley City Guards. The reg- 
iment was under Col. Daniel IMcConnell, and the 
commander of the brigade was (ien. Richardson. 
Mr. Cavanaugh was Sergeant of the skirmishers who 
fired the first shot in the lirst battle of Bull Run, 
and after remaining one ^-ear in the Army of the 
Potomac received his commission as Captain of 
Company B, Twenty-first Michigan Infantiy, and 
served with courage at the battles of Perry ville and 
Stone River, also engaging in numerous skirmishes; 
but in 1863, on account of failing health, was forced 
to resign and returned to his former home. Not 
long after our subject received his appointment as 
Assistant Provost-Marshal of Grand Rapids, but 
in 1865 came to Muskegon, where he foi'med a 
partnership with D. Kellc}- and P. A. Ducey, under 
the firm name of Kellcy cVr Co., manufacturers of 
sash, doors and blinds. In 1878 Mr. Cavanaugh 
sold out his interest in the business and has since 
been variously employed. 

In 18Gy, organizing a lire deparlnient in Mui- 
kegon, our subject remained its active head until 
1880, when he resigned the responsible position. In 
1875, upon the completion of the water works, he 
was appointed Superintendent of the same and re- 
mained in full charge until 1882, when he resigned 
and for a time engaged in the sawmilling busi- 
ness. For three years Mr. Cavanaugh was the effi- 
cient Superintendent of the Monroe Manufactur- 
ing Compan_v,and throughout his career has in his 
private and public work given great satisfaction 
to all [)arties interested, being widely known as a 
thoroughly pr.actical and honored man of business. 

In 1856 were united in marriage James Cava- 
naugh and Miss Anna L. Nolan, a native of Ma- 
comb County, Mich., and a daughter of P. U. No- 
lan. Kiglit children, five sons and three daugh- 
ters, have blessed the union of our subject and 
his excellent wife. The brothers and sisters are 
in the order of their birth: May V.; Lizzie J.; 
William S., of Muskegon; Katie, the wife of P. 
Talley, of Chicago; Charles, living in Menominee, 
Mich.; Frank I., a student at college in Sandwich, 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



297 



Ontario; and Frederick, also in Sandwicli, Ontario; 
Lewis S., is deceased. .Mr. an<l Mrs. Cavanaugli 
are devout members of the C'atiiolic Cluirdi and 
are liberal jjivers in behalf of religioiK work and 
benevolent enterprise. The pleasant home is upon 
Terrace Street and is a most attractive residence, 
of modern design and hand>onioly linislied. 

Folitically a Democrat, our subject, while deeply- 
interested in local and national Government, is not 
an ollice-seekcr. He is P.ast Connnander of Phil 
Kearney Post No. ?,(!. A. R.,and no one more en- 
joys the reunions of the veterans than lie. Mr. 
Cavanaugli is a Post Regent of the Ht)val Arcanum 
and has been for ^even years, and with great ability 
held every minor office, his executive talents being 
thoroughly a|ipieciated b}- the members of the as- 
sociation. During his career of energetic indus- 
try our subject has been financially prospered .and 
has steadily won his ui)ward way to success and 
the high regard of a wide acquaintance. 



JOSEPH n. CLARK, the enterprising junior 
partner of the able law firm of .loiies A- 
Clark, and a well-known and [iroiiiiiient 
citizen of Muskegon, Mich., is a native of 
Ohio, and was born in Krie County, near the city 
of Sandusky, December 20, 1860. His parents, 
Nelson and .Sarah (Weller) Clark, were highly 
respected residents of the Buckeye State, where 
they occupied positions of useful influence. The 
Jatlier, born in \'erinont aii<l the descendant of a 
long line of honored New England ancestors, pos- 
sesses broad intelligence and native ability of a 
high order. Partially reared and educated among 
the Green Mountains of his native .State, Nel- 
son Clark later attained to an ambitious and self- 
reliant manhood in Ohio, to which State he 
accompanied his parents, there spending forty 
years, devoted mainly to the pursuit of agricult- 
ure in Erie County. Late in life he removed to 
his present location in North Muskegon. The 



paternal grandfather, Joseph Clark, in whose honor 
our subject was named, was a leading citizen of 
his locality in ^'ermont, but became an early set- 
tler of Ohio, removing from his New England 
home to the tiieii far West, the Kuckeye Stjite, when 
a large part of the land had not been reclaimed 
from its original primitive condition. 

The mother of our subject was born, reared and 
educated in the State of New York, and was the 
daughter of Benjamin Weller, who occupied a 
leading position in his part of the country. En- 
joying excellent advantages in her youth, the 
mother grew up to an able and noble woman- 
hood, and was well (itled to assume the care of 
a home and family, and she now resides with 
her husband in North Muskegon. The parents 
were blessed by the birth of but one child, a 
son, Joseph II., ovir subject. He passed his boy- 
hood upon the old Erie County homestead and 
was early trained to the round, of agricultural 
duties, assisting his fatiier in the work of the 
farm and attending the nearest school of the dis- 
trict. He later enjoyed the advantage of more 
advanced study in Castalia, Ohio, and after a time 
entered the Normal School of Valparaiso, Ind., 
and graduated with honor. Mr. Clark then taught 
school the two succeeding years in Ohio and was 
more than ordinarily successful in his vocation of 
instructor. 

In 1882 our subject, journeying to Jlichigan 
with a view to establishing himself in business, re- 
mained for a time in White Rock, Huron County, 
where he taught school two years and, meantime 
enterprisingly reading law, passed an examination 
in February, 188;'), and at this latter date was ad- 
mitted to the Bar. He then entered the office of 
Winsor A' Snovcr, at Port Austin, Huron Count}', 
Mich., and remained with that legal lirm one year. 
He next made his home in Manistique, Mich., 
where he successfully engaged in the practice of 
his profession until 181)0, when he came to Mus- 
kegon and not long after entered into his present 
partnership with Aitlius Jones, the lirm now en- 
joying an extended and rapidly increasing prac- 
tice in all the courts of the State. A friend to 
educational ailvancement and vitally interested in 
the subject, Mr. Clark for three years was a valued 



298 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



member of the Board of School Examiners and 

was the Prosecuting Attorney of Schoolcraft. Fra- 
ternally associated with tlie Knights of Pylliias, 
and also a member of the Maccabees, our subject 
numbers many stanch friends among those or- 
ders. Politically an ardent Republican, he takes a 
leading place in the local councils of his party 
and, financially prosperous, has befoi'C him tlie 
prospect of a bright career, and into his future 
work of life carries the hearty good wishes of all 
who know hi in. Mr. Clark resides in a pleasant 
part of Muskegon, inaking his home at No. 133 
Lake Street. 



^^ 



/^ ORNELIUS VAN DOORNE, a highly-es- 
(ll n t^^"'*^*' citizen and representative general 
^^^J agriculturist residing upon a valuable home- 
stead in Grand Haven Township, Ottawa Coun- 
ty, li.as for many j'ears been i(1entilied with the 
growth and advancement of his neighborhood, and 
is widely known as a man of sterling integrity 
of character. Ilis parsuits came to this country 
with their family in 1851, and, locating at Grand 
Island, near Niagara Falls, for three years lived 
in tliat beautiful region of the Empire State. 
Deciding that the Wejt offered greater opportu- 
nities, the father, Martinus Van Doorne, brought 
his family to (irand Haven, Mich., and remained 
here about six months. He then located about 
foui- miles south of Grand Haven, upon a farm 
which lie had previously purchased, and which 
coiiji^ted of one hundred and twenty acres, situ- 
ated in the dcii.se woods. Hard work was re- 
quired to clear the land before the soil could be 
brought under profitable cultivation. Tiie father, 
a man of high ability and excellent attainments, 
passed away in 1882. mourned by many friends. 
Born in the Netherlands in 1842, our subject 
was but nine years of age when he accom|)anied 
his parents, brothers and sisters across the broad 
Atlantic to America, and was only a trifle more i 
than twelve years of age when he came to the 1 



farm in the dense wood. He never went to school 
a day in iiis life, but learned to read and write 
through his own unaided exertions, and is a 
well-informed man. In the year 1866 Cornelius 
Van Doorne and Miss Anneke Ver Wj- were 
united in marriage. Mrs. Van Doorne was born 
in the Old Country and was a mere child when, 
in company with the other members of the fam- 
ily', she embarked for America. Her parents set- 
tled on Grand Island in 1852, and two years later, 
in company with other emigrants from their birth- 
place, journejed from New York to Grand Haven, 
near which city they made their permanent home. 
There the estimable wife of our subject received 
her education in the district schools. 

The union of Mr. and Mrs. Van Doorne resulted 
in the birth of fifteen children, ten of whom are 
now living: Martinus C, Cornelius J., Marines S. 
C.Iolin C.AnnekeC, Dirk, Margje, Cornelia, An- 
nas and Peter. The children are unmarried and 
all reside with their parents with the exception of 
Martinus and Marines. Of the eighty acres com- 
prising the valuable homestead ovyned by our sub- 
ject, forty-five are now under a high state of cul- 
tivation and annually' yield an abundant harvest 
of rye, potatoes and corn, and a large variety of 
fruits. The farm is improved with a substantial 
dwelling and commodious barns and sheds, and is 
the abodi; of thrift and plenty. Mr. Van Doorne 
and his family commune with the First Dutch Re- 
formed Church. Politically ct>nnected with the 
People's partly, he is well posted concerning the 
cuireut topics of the day, and has for a number 
of years efficiently served as Highway Commis- 
sioner of Grand Haven Township. 



N. KENNEY, an enterprising agricultur- 
ll^i ist, conducts a valuable and highly-im- 
/ii \\\ proved farm located upon section 2, Hol- 
)^j ton Township, Muskegon County. For a 
score of 3'ears he has aided in the development of 
the State, and through his own self-reliant ef- 
forts has achieved a comfortable competence. A 



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RESIDENCE OF R. N. KENNEY, SEC.?., HOLTON TR,MU5KEG0N CO., MICH. 



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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



301 



native of the Empire State, our subject was born 
in Kssex County in 1830, and is a son of Asa and 
Lucinda (Ileald) Ki-nney, long-time residents of 
New York Stale, llie mother being a native of Ks- 
sex County'. Tlie maternal grandfather, by birth 
an Englishman, early emigrated to America and 
reared liis family in the State of New York. 

Asa Kenney was a son of Josiah Kenney, who 
with his wife and family made his early home in 
New England, hut passed the latter years of his 
life in the Empire State, where he was well known 
as a man of ability and sterling integrity of char- 
acter. Throughout his entire life he followed the 
occupation of a tiller of the soil, lie was identi- 
fied with all the local enterprises and progressive 
movements of his locality, and was also an aid in 
the extension of religious work, from his youth 
being a devout member of the Methodist Episco- 
pal Church. The sons and daughters who blessed 
the home of Giandfather Kenney were: Amos; 
Adden; Asa F., father of our subject; Marinda, 
wife of James Ileald; Anna, who married Asa 
.Saunders; Lyda, wife of Isaac Williams; and El- 
thius, all of whom are now deceased. 
•^ Asa V. Kenney was born amid the Green Moun- 
tains of Vermont, in Cavendish C'ount\-, and re- 
ceived a limited education in the schools of iiis 
birthplace. He was reared upon a New England 
farm and was thoroughly at home in the details 
of agricultural work. At nineteen years of age 
he removed to Essex County, N. Y., and tiiere 
bought two hundred acres of wild land. He en- 
gaged in distilling when ayoung man, and through 
the profits of that business paid for his farm, which 
he brought to a high state of improvement. In 
the Empire State he married a daughter of James 
Ileald, and upon the broad acres where he spent 
the greater part of his life he reared to mature age 
ten children, nine of whom are yet surviving. 
He was a man of indomitable will and courage, 
and after making his home in New York took an 
active [tart in the War of 1M12, afterwaid receiv- 
ing a land grant from the (Jovernmcnt. He and 
his wife were active Christian workers and valued 
members of the Metliodist Episcopal Church. Po- 
litically, he was an ardent Jacksonian Democrat, 
and a (irm advocate of his party. He passed a wa^' 



at the age of three-score years and ten, his wife 
surviving until eighty years of age. 

The sons and daughters of A.sa E. Kenney were, 
in order of their birth: Chittenden, Frederick, 
David, Ransome N., Adoniram, Adeline (who 
died at the age of seventy years), Caroline, Nour- 
sisa, Lourancy and Luream. At the age of twenty 
our subject began life for himself, and first en- 
gaged in teaming and later in farming. Foreigii- 
teen years he remained in the employ of others. 
About two-score years ago, in Essex County-, N. Y., 
were united in marriage R. N. Kenney and Miss 
Rosetta, daughter of Thomas and Harriet Combs. 
I'nto this union were born six sons and daughters: 
Harriet, wife of John Wooley; Mar3' A., wife of 
Aniba Tripp; Ida, wife of O. W. Ston; Allington, 
residing in Scottville, Mich.; Arthur, at home; 
and Bertha, an artist, in Wisconsin. 

In 1873 our subject located in Muskegon, Mich., 
after having spent four years in Oceana Count}-. 
Entering eighty acres of Government land, he 
.settled in the heart of the woods (mostlj- hem- 
lock) and has himself improved seventy acres, all 
under tine cultivation, the homestead presenting 
a scene of thrift and plenty. He and his wife are 
valued members of the Baptist Church, and are 
ever ready to aid in the good work and religious 
enterprises of their denomination. Politically a 
Prohibitionist, our subject is a strong temperance 
man, and in ail the relations of life may be found 
ujKin the side of right and justice. Self-reliantly 
has he won his way to a comfortable competence, 
and to-day receives the high regard and confidence 
due him as a self-made man and liberal-spirited 
citizen. 



(^ 



'YOIIX W. BARNS, of The Bryce. Barns Si 
Green .Manufacturing Company, of (irand 
Haven, is a wide-awake and enterprising 
young business man, who has the honor of 
being a native of the city which is still his lu>me, 
his birth having here occurred in 18G2. His fa- 



302 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD, 



^ ther, JohnJV^^arns, was a native of Vermont, 
and became one of the early settlers of Grand 
Haven, where he resided until called to the home 
beyond, in 1892. In politics, he was a Democrat 
and took quite an active interest in political and 
public affairs. lie served as Alderman of the city 
for several years and was also a member of the 
School Board. He long held membership with the 
Odd Fellows' Society and was widely and favor- 
abl3' known in this locality. He married Ruth C. 
Breau, a native of New York, and a daughter of 
Peter Breau, who was born in France. She is still 
residing in Grand Haven. The ancestors of the 
Barns family' came from Scotland. 

Our subject has spent almost his entire life in 
this city. His boyhood days were passed midst 
play and work, and in the common sciiools he ac- 
quired a liberal education. At tiie age of twenty- 
one he made a contr.act to furnish cooperage stock 
for the lirm of Kilbourn e\r Co., of Grand Haven, 
and continued in that line of Ijusiness for a period 
of seven years, on the expiration of which he 
abandoned it in order to turn his attention to 
other pui'suits. 

In 1884 was celel)raled the marriage of Mr. 
Barns and Miss Lillie Stone, a lady of culture and 
refinement, who is a native of Ohio, and a daugh- 
ter of George W. Stone. Their union has been 
blessed with two children, a son and a daughter, 
Florence and Kenneth. The l>arns home is a 
hospitable one, and our subject and his wife rank 
high in social circles where true worth and intelli- 
gence are received as the passports into good 
society. 

After discontinuing his connection with Kil- 
bourn & Co., Mr. Barns formed a partnership with 
M. L. Green and Mr. Bryce, and established the 
present business, under the lirm name of The Bryce, 
Barns i\i Green Manufacturing Company. Our 
subject is now superintendent of the works. They 
do a general |)laning-mill business, niaiuifacture 
all kinds of woodwork for interior finishing, 
stairs, etc., and al.so manufacture sash, doors and 
blinds. The mill is equipped with all the latest 
improved machinery for work in this line and has 
a capacity of forty thousand feet of lumber per 
day. Employment is furnished to ten men 



throughout the year, and the business, which is 
constantly increasing, is now in a flourishing con- 
dition under the able management of Mr. Barns. 
He is a man of excellent business and executive 
ability, pays careful attention to all details, and is 
sagacious and far-sighted. He is strictly honor- 
able in all dealings, and the confidence and re- 
gard of the community are his in a high degree. In 
politics, he is a supporter of the Democracy, but 
has never been an aspirant for otflcial preferment. 
.Sociall}-, he is a member of the Order of Red Men, 
belonging to Highland Camp No. 203, Maccabees. 



_^] 



^+ 



■[S_ 




"ifj^AVID MrLAFGHLIN, deceased, since 
1864 a prominent citizen of Muskegon, 
Mich., for fourteen years the efficient 
County Clerk and Register of Deeds, and 
later prosperously conducting a law and real-estate 
business, entered into rest in 1891, mourned by 
his fellow-citizens as a public loss, and highlj' re- 
spected by all who enjoyed the pleasure of his 
actiuaintance. A man of executive ability, clear 
judgment and upriglit character, our subject 
identified himself with all the growing interests of 
his home locality, and took an active part in 
local, county. State and national politics. Two 
years liave passed since his untimely demise, and 
to-day his memory is as fragrant in the hearts of 
his friends as though he had passed away but 
yesterday. Mr. McLaughlin, a native of Scotland, 
was born in Edinborough County in the year 1830, 
and was in the full vigor of manhood, mentally 
and physically, at the time of his death, tiansaf^t- 
ing business with the energetic ambition of youth. 
His father, William, was aSeotcli farmer, who, with 
industrious prudence tilling tlie soil of his natiye 
land, there remained content throughout his un- 
eventful career. 

The mother of our subject, Agnes (Brown) 
McLaughlin, liorn, educated and married in .Scot- 
land, was the descendant of a long line of sturdy 
ancestors, who throve amid th« hills of old Scotia. 



PORTRAir AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



303 



Davi'.l Mcl>:ui,!jliliii roceivcd his education in llie 
common scliuols of liis ijirlliplaco. lie early as- 
sisted liis faliier in the rounii of I'ainiing duties, 
and wliile only a lad gained an extended knowl- 
edge of agricultural pursuit;?. Having arrived at , 
his majority an ambitious and enterprising young \ 
man, with a desire to mingle with the outside 
world and try his fortunes in a broader field of 
action, our subject resolved to emigrate to the 
United States. Bidding farewell to the friencls 
and scenes of childliood, he in IHol crossed the 
Atlantic and, arriving safely in the United States', 
journeyed to Illinois and settled in Cass County. 
Knga<ring in general merchandising and meeting 
with unexpected success, he continued to there 
prosperously handle a variety of goods for the 
succeeding twelve ^ears. In IStJ-J, removing to 
Muskegon, Mr. McLaughlin here entered into 
mercantile business, and for seveial years managed 
an extended business, commanding not only a 
good city trade, but also enjoying a custom reach- 
ing out into the surrounding country. 

When elected to the position of Count}- Clerk 
and Register of Deeds, he retired from merchandis- 
ing and devoted himself with faithful ability to 
his public work. In the mean time studying law, 
our subject was later admitted to the Bar an(L an 
eloquent advocate and an cxi)ert in real-estate 
values, prosperously comliined the two lines of 
business up to the time when he was stricken by 
mortal illness. In 1853 David McLaughlin and 
Miss Isabella Campbell, a native of Scotland and a 
daughter of Blair and Isabella (Grey) Campbell, 
were united in marriage. Five sons blessed the 
union of our subject and his estimable wife, four 
of whom are now living. William 15. is Cashier of 
the Union Bank of Muskegon; David C. resides in 
Bark City, Utah;. lames C. is a lawyer and resident 
of Muskegon; I'rof. A. C. McLaughlin, who is the 
youngest-born, resides in Ann Arbor. John died at 
the age of about fourteen. Mrs. McLaughlin, a lacJy 
of native worth and broad intelligence, continues to 
reside in her pleasant home at Xo. 185 Terrace 
Street. Our subject was a leader in the local and 
Slate councils of the Republican party, occupied 
with honor for twenty-five years a position as mem- 
ber of the School Board, and during the (|uarter of a 



century directed his earnest efforts to educational 
advancement and the promotion of higher grades 
of scholarship and instruction in the schools of 
Muskegcn. A man ot high i)rinciple and sterling 
integrity of character, David McLaughlin be- 
queathed to his children as a precious legacy the 
remembrance of his spotless career as a friend and 
citizen, true to every (Juty of life and steadfast 
for right and justice. 






\Yl AMKS E. BALKEMA. As a conspicuous 
example of success in business pursuits in 
North Muskegon, the establishment of .Mr. 
_ Balkema presents a most notable instance, 
its business having steadily expanded from year 
to year from its inception until the present time 
(1893). It is without exception the largest and 
most coniplele establishment of the city, and its 
annual sales average from >'25,(iO()to $37,000. Mr. 
Balkema is a thorough business man, and super- 
vises all the details with a jterfect system, and 
deals with all upon accurate, reliable and honor- 
able inelliods. . 

A native of the ])rovince of Orouingen, Holland, 
our subject was born October 5, IHilG, being the 
son of Edward B. Halkeina, who died at the earlv 
ago of thirty-eight years. Our subject's mother, 
whose maiden name was IClsa Kraai, was aiso born 
in Holland, and after the death of .Mr. Balkema 
she married John Dyke. James was the eldest of 
three sons, and was a lad of nine ^-ears when he 
accompanied his inotlior and stepfather to .Vmer- 
ica, locating with them in Orand Ilavon. .Mich. 
Prior to leaving Holland, he had attended the 
schools of that country and gained a good knowl- 
edge of the Dutch language, which he uses tlucnt- 
ly. Eor a time after settling in (irand Haven, he 
conducted his studies in the common schools and 
there mastered the iMiglisli language. 

At the age of fourteen, thesubject of this sketch 
commenced to work in a sawmill at Grand Haven, 
entering the einpU)y of the linn of Boyden A- .\ck- 



304 



PORTRAIT AKD BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



ley, with whom he remained for twelve years. He 
carefull}- saved his earnings until he had a cash 
capital of S500. with which he embarked in the 
o^eneral mercantile business at Grand Haven. From 
the first his efforts were successful, and as he was 
the possessor of excellent business qualifications, 
he was prospered in his enterprises. After having 
conducted his store for five years, he sold his in- 
terest to his partner, clearing ^2,(100 in the trans- 
action. 

In 1886 Mr. Balkcina entered the general mer- 
cantile business at North Muskegon, and now oc- 
cupies a position among the most successful mer- 
chants of the county. Altliough his business calls 
for his close attention, he nevertheless finds time 
for public affairs, and, as a Democrat, takes a 
prominent part in local politics. He h.is served 
acceptably as Treasurer of the village, Alderman 
from the First Ward, and in other positions of 
honor. He aided in framing tiie charier of the 
cit3% and lias otherwise contributed to the prog- 
ress of the place. Socially, he is iilentified with 
Lodge No. 29, K. 0. T. M., at North Muskegon. 

The domestic life of Mr. Balkema has been as 
iiappj- as his business career lias been successful. 
His marriage took place in Grand Haven in Octo- 
ber, 1882, his bride being Miss Rosie ^'yn, for- 
merly a resident of Grand Haven, this State. She 
was born and reareS there, being the daughter of 
Derk and Clara Vyn. The family circle is com- 
pleted by the presence of live children: Elsie, 
Clara, John, Richard and James. 



♦^^ ^ H®@! ^ ^^-- 



^Joseph H. parsons. County Superinten- 
dent of tlie Poor of Muskegon County, and 
^^ aprominentand well-known resident of the 
^^l' city of Muskegon, was born in Hartford 
Township, Windsor County, Vt., on the 22d of 
January, 1826, and comes of an old New England 
family, that was founded in America by English 
ancestors at an early daj'. His grandfather, Moses 
Parsons, and his family lived at Royalton, Wind- 



sor County, Vt., at the time of the sacking of that 
place by the Indians, and was taken prisoner and 
carried to Montreal with many others. He was a 
native of Hartford. Conn., and liis father, Joshua 
Parsons, was born in Hartford, Vt. The latter 
married Laura Safford, a native of Pittsfield, Vt.. 
and a daughter of Joseph SafTord. 

Our subject spent the first nineteen years of his 
life in the county of his birth, and the public 
schools of the neigiiborhood afforded liim a good 
education. At the age of nineteen 3'ears he went 
to Massachusetts and there learned the currier's 
trade, and later learned the trade of manufactur- 
ing combs, which he followed for about eight 
years. In 1856 he severed his business connec- 
tions in Massachusetts, and emigrated Westward, 
locating in Michigan. He look up his residence 
in Sherman Township, St. Joseph Count}-, where 
he worked on a farm for eight years. The j'ear 
1863 witnessed his arrival in Muskegon County, 
wlicre he resumed farming, which he carried on 
for a year. 

In 1864 Mr. Parsons entered the service of his 
country as one of the bo\s in blue of Company G, 
Twent3-third Michigan Infanlry, under the com- 
mand of Col. Spaulding. The regiment was as- 
signed to the Armj- of the Ohio, commanded by 
Gen. Scofield. In April, 1866, Mr. Parsons was mus- 
tered out at Raleigh, N. C, and at once returned 
to his liome in Muskegon. For a time lie followed 
various pursuits, and then among other things was 
employed by the Rogers' iron manufactory' for 
four years as watchman, and there continued until 
187o, when he was appointed Superintendent of 
the County Poor Farm of Muskegon County, 
which position he lield for ten 3-ears. In the 
fall of 1887, he was re-appointed by the Board of 
Supervisors to the office, which he has since held. 
He has therefore served as Superintendent of the 
County Poor for more than fifteen years, and his 
long-continued service certainly indicates a faith- 
ful and efficient iierformance of duty. 

In December, 1848, Mr. Parsons was united in 
marriage with Miss Clarissa Sunderlin, a native of 
New York, and a daughter of David Sunderlin, 
who was also born in the Empire State, as w.as his 
father, Jeremiah Sunderlin. A family of six chil- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



305 



dren has been born nnto llicni, only three now liv- 
ing:: Mary, wife of Capt. A. C. Majo, of Duliilh, 
Wis.; Nettie, the wife of David Henderson, of 
Muskesjon: and Nina L., wife of K. Humble, of 
West i)uliitli, Wis. 

Mr. Parsons and his wife reside at No. 129 Peck 
Street. .Socially, lie is connected with Kearney 
Post No. 7, (i. A. H. Ill [lolilics, he is a stalwart 
advocate of the principles of the Republican part^-. 
In public and private life lie is alike true, and his 
ofticial career is above repioacli. A high testi- 
monial in his favor is certainly his long-continu- 
ance in office. 



JOHN CAMPBELL, member of the Arm of 
Gow A' Campbell, nianuf.acturers of lumber 
at North Muskegon, was born in Madoc, 
,^_^ Canada, July 12, 1849. His father, Donald 
Campbell, was a native of Scotland, and was a 
mere child at the time he accompanied his parents 
to America. He grew to manhood in Canada, and 
engaged in business as a lumberman for a long 
period, meeting with fair success in that occupa- 
tion. His marriage united him with Miss Cath- 
erine McDonald, who was born in Lancaster, Can- 
ada, being the daughter of Donald McDonald, a 
native of Scotland. The paternal grandfather of 
our subject, Archibald Campbell, was born in Scot- 
land, and in an early day bade adieu to his friends 
in tiio land of thistles and, crossing the broad At- 
lantic, settled in Canada, where he remained until 
called hence by death. 

Five sons and two daughters comprised the pa- 
rental family, and of these our subject was the 
second in order of birth. He passed his childhood 
years in the land of his birth, receiving such edu- 
cational advantages as were afforded by the schools 
of Canada. In 18G6 he came to Muskegon and for 
a time worked as a lumberman in the woods near 
this city, in this way gaining a practical knowl- 
edge of the business. In 1882, in connection with 



James Gow, he cstablislied the mill which they 
have since conducted. They give steady employ- 
ment to a force of thirty-eight men, and their en- 
terprise is one of the most flourishing in the 
county. 

July I, 1880, occurred the marriage of .lolin 
Campbell to Miss Florence Corsaut. This estima- 
ble lady was born in Michigan. She was the eld- 
est child of James and Martha Corsaut, and is a 
lady whose noble qualities and refined manners 
have won for her a host of warm, personal friends. 
Three daughters have blessed their marriage: Edna 
M., Ethel and IMartha F. A Democrat in politics, 
Mr. Campbell has been chosen by his fellow-citi- 
zens to occupy positions of high -honor and trust, 
in all of which his abilities have been used for the 
promotion of the welfare of the people. He served 
as President of the village of North Muskegon 
and as Mayor of the city, doing much while serv- 
ing in these capacities to secure needed municipal 
reforms. As President of the School Board, lie 
has taken a [iroinineiit part in educational matters 
and has secured an excellent public-school system 
in North Muskegon. 



^>^^-<m^-^ 




age, honesty of purpose, integrity and 

encrg}' to achieve success. The bulk of 

those who have legitimately- achieved fortune 
have been men with the above characteristics, and 
Mr. Vaupell is assuredly' one of that stamp. He is 
of the people, and his success as a business and 
public man has come of his devotion to right and 
his tenacity of purpose. He is now Secretary of 
The (irand Haven Leather Company, and is widely 
known throughout the community as an energetic, 
honorable business man, his sUmding and posi- 
tion in both business and social circles being of 
the highest and most creditable character. The 
Grand Haven Leather Company was established in 
July, 1885, and has a capital of tlO(),000. All 



306 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



kinds of harness, belts and skirting for saddles are 
manufactured, and in quality, elegance and work- 
manship the goods turned out by this concern are 
recognized as first class. The plant is located in 
East Grand Haven, near the bank of Grand River, 
and hemlock is the kind of bark vised in tanning. 
The company has good machinery and is well 
equipped in all departments of the works. From 
forty to fifty men are employed in the various de- 
partments, and five hundred hides are used per 
week, the products being shipped East, South and to 
Western cities. The officers of this company are: 
A. .^. Nvland, President; George Stickiiey, Treas- 
urer; aiul Mr. Vaupell, Secretary. They are men 
widely known throughout the community as 
enero-etic, honorable business men, and their 
standing and position in botli commercial and 
social circles are of the highest and most creditable 
character. 

Mr. Vaupell was born in Livingston County, 
N.Y.. April 12, 18.52, and is the son of Herman 
and Cornelia (Nyhuis) Vaupell, both natives of 
the Netherlands. The lather was a harness-maker 
by trade, and followed the same in New York 
State until 18(50, when he came to Michigan and 
settled in Ottawa County. He died in Holland, 
this county, in January. 1881, and his wife 
breathed her last in .January, 1893. They were 
the parents of seven children, all of whom are now 
livin"-. Until eight years of age the original of 
this notice remained in his native State, and then 
moved with his i>arents to Michigan, receiving his 
education in the district schools of Ottawa County 
and the High School in Holland. He then began 
his career as a shipping-clerk in the st<jre of E. .1. 
Herrington, a merchant of that place, and there 
had instilled into his youtliful mind excellent ideas 
of business life. He continued to make his home 
in Holland, and for a time was connected with the 
bank, and also served as Marshal and Deputy 
Sheriff for four years. 

In the fall of 1880 he w.as elected Sheriff of 
Ottawa County on the Republican ticket with a 
good majority. So satisfactorily and efficiently 
did lie discharge the duties incumbent upon that 
position that he w.as re-elected in 1882. At the 
close of his last term of office he was made 



.Secretary of the Grand Haven Leather Company, 
of which he was one of the principal organizers, 
and now owns a large part of the stock. Mr. 
Vaupell was married in 1877 to Miss Hatlie E. 
Kellogg, of Grand Rapids. Mich., but she died fif- 
teen months later, leaving one child. In 1880 he 
married Miss Josephine Bicknell, of Malone, N. Y., 
daughter of Leonard Bicknell, and two children 
have blessed this union: Leonard J. and Helen K. 
In politics, Mr. Vaupell is an ardent supporter of 
Republican principles. He has a handsome resi- 
dence on Franklin Street and is surrounded by all 
the comforts of life. 






i^^HOMAS JOHNSTON, one of the proprie- 
,/^^Y tors of the Johnston Brothers' Boiler Works 
\^r' of Fcrrysburg, is one of Michigan's native 
sons, his birth having occurred in Detroit in 1851. 
The family is of Scotch origin. His grandfather, 
Hamilton Johnston, was a native of Scotland, and 
his father, J. W. Johnston, was there born in 1814. 
The latter crossed tlie brin3' deep to America in 
1844, and is now a resident of Feir3-sburg. He 
here located in 18G4, and established the Johnston 
Boiler Works, one of the leading industries of the 
place. His wife, who bore the maiden name of 
Ann Bauld, is a native of Paisley, Scotland. 

The gentleman whose name heads this record is 
the eldest of three children. He spent his boyhood 
in Detroit and acquired his education in its com- 
mon schools. At the age of thirteen he accompa- 
nied his parents to Ferrysburg, and here learned 
the trade of boiler-making. He has a practical 
knowledge of the business in all its departments 
and details and is tliercfoi-e well qualified to su- 
perintend the works. In the fall of 1880, he and 
his brother succeeded their father in the control of 
the concern, which is now run under the name of 
Johnston Brothers. In 1884, they established a 
branch business in Muskegon, which was carried 
on under the name of the Muskegon Boiler Works, 
and which was conducted until 1891, when they 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RKCORD. 



307 



sold their plant at that place. In 1892, they es- 
tablislied the Johnston Brothers Boiler Works of 
Chicago, and a brother of our subject, J. B. .lohns- 
ton. has continued in charge of tlie Chicago plant, 
which is located on Mather Street, between Clin- 
ton and Canal Streets. 

In 1876. Mr. .lohnston was joined in niarri.ige 
with Miss Nora B. Karnes, of Ferrysburg, daughter 
of B. K. Eanies, one of the early settlers of tliis 
place. Their union has been blessed with a family 
of four children, three sons and a dauglitcr, 
namely: J. F., Robert E.. Nellie V. and .lames II. 
The parents are people of sterling worth, who hold 
an enviable position in social circles. Mr. Johns- 
ton is a stalwart Republican in politics, and is a 
member of Spring Lake Lodge No. 231, A. F. & 
A. M.; Corinthian Chapter No. 84, R. A. M.; and 
the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. 

In connection with his other interests, Mr. 
Johnston is also a stockholder in the Grand 
Haven Leather Company. lie assumed full con- 
trol of the Boiler Works of Ferr^-sburg, and later, 
by purchase, became sole proprietor of the same. 
The plant is 270x200 feet, and employment is fur- 
nished to about lifly men. A very superior qual- 
ity of boilers is manufactured, largely f(ir niaiine 
and stationary engines, and the trade extends 
throughout the I'nited States. ]\Ir. Johnston has 
built up a most excellent business, wiiicli lias con- 
stantly increased from the beginning and is yet 
growing. He is a man of good business ability, 
enteiprising and sagacious, and by careful man- 
agement and honorable dealing he has won the 
success which now crowns his efforts. His works 
are among tlie leading concerns of Ferrysburg, 
and he is recognized as one of the most prominent 
business men. 



^^ ORNKLH'S J. I)K ROO is the very ellicient 
(l( Secretary and manager of the Walsh-I)c Roo 

^t^' Milling Company, of Holland, Mich. Mr. 
DeRoo was boin in this county Marcii HI, 18r).5, 
and was naiii(><i for his father, who came to this 



country from his native land, Holland, about 
1847, his birth having occurred in 1834. He 
settled almost immediately in Holland Town- 
ship, where he at once turned his attention to 
milling, erecting the first mill that was ever put 
up in that section, about three miles east of Hol- 
land, in 1852. He lived only a sliort time there- 
after, his death occurring on the 2d of September, 
1855. He was married to Elizabeth A'andermeulen, 
a daughter of Rev. Cornelius A'andcrmeulcn, who 
was the leader of the Holland colonists who set- 
tled and founded Zeeland. Mrs. De Roo was born 
in Holland, and was married to Mr. De Roo in 
1854, her death occurring in 1871. 

The subject of this sketch was the only child 
born to his parents, and after the death of his 
father he went to live witli liis maternal grand- 
father at Grand Rapids, Midi. Tliere he re- 
ceived a good, practical education in the public 
scliools, and after finishing at the High School he 
entered the Business College of Grand Rapids, 
from which lie graduated. He later l)ecame a 
book-keeper for a linn of tli;il city, but wlicii he 
attained to the age of twenty-four ^ears he went 
to Zeeland and engaged in milling in partnership 
with H. Kcppel, the firm name being Keppel i\r De 
Roo. lie remained at that ]ilace until 1882, since 
which time he has been a resident of Holland, and 
soon after coming liere organized the Wal»h-De 
Roo Milling Company for the building of the 
mill, of which he is Secretary and manager, it be- 
ing the first roller-mill erected within a radius of 
one hundred miles of this city. The positions he 
occupies have been filled with great credit to him- 
self, and lie has clearl}' demonstrated that he is a 
man of sound intelligence and correct ])rinciples. 
The otlicers are: Isaac Cappon, President, and II. 
Walsh, Vice-President. The capacity of the mill 
is four hundred barrels per day aiul two carloads 
of feed and ineal, and the capital stock of the con- 
cern amounts to ^(idfiOO. Mr. De Koo is the Sec- 
retary of the Holland A- Chicago Tiaiispf)rtation 
Company, which was organized in the fall ol 18'.I2, 
and wlii<'li is running a daily line of steamers be- 
teen Chicago and Holland. The liners consist of 
the piopellers"City of Holland" and^'Sjuigatuck," 
wliirh are well equipped and fitted up with electric 



308 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



lights, etc. He is also a Director of the First State 
Bank of Holland. Politically, lie has always been 
a Republican, and lias served in the capacity of 
Ma^'or of Holland. He has been Alderman for 
two terms, a member of tlie Board of Education 
for three terras, and is now a member of the Board 
of Public Works, to all of which organizations he 
has proven an acquisition. He is a member of 
the Holland Improvement Association, and has in 
numerous other wa^'s manifested a deep interest 
in the welfare of the place. 

In 1879 Mr. De Roo was married to Miss Sarah 
Van Driele, a daughter of Frank \aii Diiele, a 
dealer in flour, feed and grain at Grand Rapids, 
and their union has resulted in the birth of five 
children, of whom two are living, Margaret and 
Cornelius P. He and his wife are church mem- 
bers, and are people of high standing in Holland 
and move in the best social circles. 



=-^ 




TRUMAN OATMAN,a successful and highly 
respected geneial agriculturist, pleasantly 
located upon section 1, llolton Township, 
Muskegon County, Mich., has been a resident of 
the Wolverine State for over twenty-nine years, 
and during this time has been closely identified 
with the growth and development of the vital in- 
terests of his present locality. Our subject, born 
in Ontario, Canada, in 184.0, was the sou of Darius 
and Sarah (McCallum) Oatman. The ancestors of 
the family were of Scotch nativity, and both the 
maternal and paternal forefathers were the de- 
scendants of a long line of earnest, hard-working 
and intelligent people. The paternal grandfather, 
Darius Oatman, was long a well-known and influ- 
ential resident of the Empire State, but finally 
emigrated with his wife, sons and daughters to 
Canada, where he continued in the occupation of 
liis lifetime, fai'raing, until his death. He was a 
man of strong character and high principle, and 
was esteemed by ail wiio knew him for his excel- 
lent qualities as a friend, neighbor and citizen. 



During the War of 1812, he took an active part 
and bravely aided in the defense of his home and 
State. The children who clustered al)out his 
hearth were eight in number, five brothers and 
three sisters, who, each trained in habits of in- 
dustrious self-reliance, arrived at adult age well 
fitted to assume the responsibilities of life. 

The father of' our subject, born in tlie old Xew 
York homestead, spent the earl}' days of child- 
hood in his birthplace, and when a little lad at- 
tended the nearest school of tlie iiome district. 
When twelve years of age he removed with his 
parents to Canada, where he yet survives, a hale 
and hearty man. He was one of the pioneer set- 
tlers of Ontario, and possessing both enterprise 
and ability made his u))ward way. He married 
young, and to him and his faithful companion and 
loving wife were born seven children. Elvira, the 
eldest, married John Davidson; our subject was 
the second in order of birth; then follow Norman; 
Nelson; Frank; '"Aug;" and Amelia, wife of Peter 
.lohnson. The father owns a fine farm of two 
hundred and fifty acres, highly cultivated and im- 
proved with substantial buildings. The mother 
passed away in 18'J2, after an uneventful career of 
usefulness. She was a Christian woman, whose 
work for others ennobled her own life. Truman 
Oatman remained with his parents until his mar- 
riage, in 1864, with Miss Geraldine Bunce, a daugh- 
ter of William and Amanda Bunce, well-known 
and prosperous residents of Michigan. 

Immediately succeeding their marriage, Mr. and 
Mrs. Oatman settled in Berlin, near(iiand Ha|)ids, 
where our subject rented land and entered with 
energy into agricultural pursuits. Later buying 
his present valuable homestead on time, Mr. Oat- 
man removed Ihillier with his family and toiled 
unceasingly, engaging in a variety of work in or- 
der to pa}' for the land, since his constant home. 
Of the eighty acres which comprise the home farm 
sixty are under a profitable stale of cultivation 
and annually yield an abundant harvest. Four 
children have blessed the union, all daughters, 
Lida, Jennie, Mabel and Maude, and each has en- 
joyed the advantages of excellent schooling in the 
immediate neighborhood. Although never a pol- 
itician in any sense of the word, our subject takes 




b. 



>«— ti? 



jJ, ^ Cy<^ rLc^^^-oi 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



311 



an active interest in the management of local and 
National affairs, ami, a Di'inoiTat in scntimenl, is 
an ardcn I advocate of ''llie Party of tiie People," 
and in all niattcis of niulunl welfare niaj' he relied 
upon to <!(> Ills full share as one of the substantial 
men and puhlie-jpirited citizens of Mn>kegon 
County. 



^p^EORGK D. SANFORI), ex-Postmaster of 
I [ g— Grand llavon. is numbered amonjj the 
■^^^jjl prominent and popular business men of 
this enterpiising city, lie is still a i-(>m|).'uativelv 
young man, and with a clear record in the past, 
bids fair to have a bright one in the future, lie 
was born on the 7th of .Tanuary, 1S43. in Kent, 
Portage County, Ohio, where he attended school 
in his earlier 3'cars, afterward entering the High 
School at Akron. He removed with his parents to 
Walertown, Wis., and in 18,^;i. when sixteen years 
of age, came with them to Grand Haven, where he 
has made his home for over thirty years. May 1, 
IHT.'i, he married Miss Frances Stoner, daughter of 
Jacob and Hannah (Webb) .Stoner. .Six children 
have been born unto them, of whom two sons and 
two daughters are living. 

In 1860 Mr. San ford started in business for 
himself, buying out the news stand of George D. 
Harvey, for which he paid I.OO. During the first 
week he took in $12 of counterfeit money, but 
that was sullicient experience for him in that line 
and the men who can pass a S[)urious aitide on 
him to-day are scarce. During war times he did 
a lively business in news|)apers, and when his sup- 
ply was exhausted and he was unable to furnish 
his customers, he would maunt a store box and 
read the news to the assembled crowd. 

In 18G.") our subject first entered the political 
arena as candidate for Clerk of the Township of 
(Jrand Haven, which then included the village in 
its jurisdiction, and wjis elected over his compet- 
itor, Henry Hrouwer, who had never before been 
beaten when a candidate, .Since then Mr. Sanford 
15 



has served ten terms upon the Board of Supervis- 
ors of Ottawa County, and in 18H2 came within 
one vote of receiving the nomination for State 
Senator, and would probably have received it, had 
he not withdrawn in favor of .lolin Roost, of Hol- 
land. He also served as a member of the Hoard 
of Kducation for nine years, and was President of 
that body. He is a member of Ave secret orders, 
in two of which he holds high and responsible of- 
fices. 

Ml. .San fold received his a|)pointment as Post- 
master under Cleveland .\ugust 1.5, 18H,'), and was 
conlirmed February 8, 1886. During the term of 
his office, he could always be found in his proper 
place, and employing an efficient coips of cleiks, 
tlie service was above criticism, he making the most 
popular Postm.aster that has ever served the peo- 
ple of (irand Haven. November 17, 1889, he re- 
signed from the post-oHiee, which he had con- 
ducted for over four years. He made a most ac- 
ceptable ollicer and enjoys the cordial respect and 
good- will of all parties. 

Our subject has always been a stanch Democrat, 
and served several years as a member of the State 
Central Committee of that party. He is a genial, 
popular gentleman, h.as a pleasant family, and is a 
model and successful man of affairs, and has by a 
life of strict integrity p]\d faithful attention to 
business won the confidence of all who know 
him. 



IIKU.MAN II. ISOVt K. The credit for a 
'^^2^ large share of the enterprise which helps 
to make Grand Haven one of the most 
thriving and bustling cities of western 
Michigan belongs in a considerable degree to such 
stirring, energetic busine^s men as .Sherman H. 
Boyce. He is a public-spirited man in the broad- 
est sense of the word, and his name for many 
years has been synonymous with honesty and 
good judgment. For many years he was engagrrl 
in Ihe lumber business in (Jrand Haven, but is now 



312 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



retired from the active duties of life, and with 
his estimable companion has a very pleasant home 
on Franitlin Street, this citj'. Mr. Bo3'ce was born 
in the .State of New York, Dutchess County, Feb- 
ruary 19, 1832, and his father, John M. Boyce, 
was also a native of that count}', born in the year 
1780. The elder Mr. Boyce was of English origin, 
and followed the occupation of a farmer in his 
native State all his life. His wife, whose maiden 
name was H.Tnnah Schofleld, was a native of Con- 
necticut and the daughter of Jacob Schofield. 
Seven children were born to this worthy couple, 
four sons and three daughters, and our subject 
was the third in order of birth. Only one child 
besides our subject is now living, Harvey, who 
makes his home in Chenango, N. Y. 

The subject of this brief memoir remained in his 
native county and received his education in the 
schools of the same up to the time when he was 
eleven j-ears of age. He then came with his sis- 
ter, Mrs. Divine, to Michigan, and settled with 
her in Montcalm County, where lie made his home 
until he had reached his twentieth j-ear. From 
there he went to Grand Rapids, Kent County, 
Mich., and resided there until the fall of 1867, 
when he made his first appearance in Grand Haven. 
This city has been his home since. He became 
connected with the lumber industr}', engaging in 
the business with C. L. Storrs, under the firm name 
of C. L. Storrs it Co., and manufacturing pine 
lumber. That business continued until 1871. In 
1873 Mr. Boyce became associated with Dr. Steven 
Monroe in the manufacture of lumber, under the 
firm name of Monroe, Hoycc iV- Co., and they car- 
ried on their business at Spring Lake, \> here the 
firm is still carrying on operations. 

Mr. Boyce is a stockliolder and Director in the 
National Bank of Grand Haven, and he is also a 
Director and stockholder in the Grand Haven Fur- 
niture Company, located nt Grand Haven. Aside 
from this, he is a Director and stockholder in the 
Globe Match Company, in tliat city. He is a most 
useful and progressive citizen, whose business has 
ever been conducted upon tlie broadest basis of 
equity, and those who engaged in business rela- 
tions with him could rest assured that tiieir in- 
terests would be most carefully guarded. Tiie 



principles of the Democratic party have always 
commended themselves to his judgment, and he 
supports tliem whenever called upon to do so 
like the consistent and straightforward man that 
he is. Sociall}-, he is a member of Grand Rapids 
Lodge No. 34, A. F. 6z A. M., and has reached 
the degree of Knight Templar. He is very ac- 
tive in lodge affairs. He built his fine residence, 
and this is presided over by his capable wife, who 
was formerly Miss Maiy Holbrook, of Grand Ha- 
ven, to whom he was united in marriage April 
10, 1881. She is the daughter of J. Holbrook, a 
worthv citizen of Grand Haven. 



3<"T">C 




REND JOHN NYLAND affords in his life 
and its success another evidence that in- 
dustry, economy and integrity constitute 
tlie keynote to honorable competency. 
He is now the President of the Grand Haven 
Leather Company, of Grand Haven, Mich., of the 
details of whicii liusiness he has a thorough and 
very practical knowledge, and this, combined witii 
his own rigid sense of right and wrong, and his 
earnest desire to do as he would be done by, has 
made his name a synonym for all tliat is upright 
and lionorable. He is anative of IIolland,where his 
birth occurred on the 9th of October, 1828, he be- 
ing the youngest of four children born to tlie 
marriage of Jolin D. Nyland and Angeline Bo- 
vink, wliose lives were syjent in the Old Country, 
and wlio were well known and highly honored in 
their own immediate neighborhood. 

A.J. Nyland acquired a good common education 
in the schools of the Fatherland, and being a 
young man who thought for himself, he became 
deepl}' impressed with the numerous opportunities 
to rise in the world offered by the Fnited States 
to 3'oung men of push and enterprise, and in this 
country he determined to carve out a home for 
himself. At the age of eighteen years he came to 
this country, and after a short time spent in the 
city of New York he removed to Buffalo, where 



POUTIlAir AND BIOGUAPIIICAL KKCORD. 



313 



he put his hnndj to any honorable work which he 
found to (1(1 until he secured employment in a 
tannery, where he learned all the intricacies of 
tlie leather liusines*!, and where iiis intelli(i;enee 
and enciyiy soon brought him to the notice of 
the (iroprietors and secured for him i;ood wages. 
At the end of seven years, or in iyi')4, he came 
West to Michigan, and for one year tlieieaftcr he 
was a resident of Kalamazoo. With a view to lu'l- 
tering his prospects he removed to lireedsvilie, 
Mich., where he worked for two years at his trade, 
at the end of which time he went to Holland, 
Mich., in tiie vicinity of which place he followed 
farnnnir for four years, and althfiiiijh unfamiliar 
with the work made a reasonable success of it. 
From Holland he removed to (Jraiid Haven, where 
he acted in the capacit\- of siiperiiilcndciit of i 
a tannery for eighteen months, his superinten- , 
dency only terminating by the burning of the i 
building in which he was employed. He then 
engaged in business on his own account in Giand 
Hapids, Mich., for eighteen months, when that build- 
ing was also burned. This entailed quite a lieav}- 
loss, as the building and contents were not insured, 
and threw him out of employment for a time, but 
it was not long before he was following the same 
line of work in an establishment at Milwaukee, 
Wis., owned by Herman Zohrlant, with whom he 
remained in friendly relations for seven years. 

When this time had expired Mr. Nyland re- 
turned to Holland, Mich., and became Su[)eriii- 
lendent for Cappon &. Bertsch, the proprietors of ' 
an extensive tanneiy, fourteen years being prodta- 
bly spent in this service. Since that time he has 
been a resident of Grand Haven, having prev- 
iously purchased an interest in the (irand Haven 
Leather Company, which is one of the solidly es- 
tablished institutions of the place, and of which 
he has been President for some time. Success has 
attended him as a bu-siness man, the result of his 
untiring energy, diligent a] 'plication and strict 
integrity. T(j the coming generation and to those 
already embarked in business life his example is 
most worthy of imitation. He was married in | 
1851 to Miss Delia Schowenaar, of Hufralo. N. Y., 
by whom he became the father of eleven children, ' 
aevcn of wiiom are living: Nellie, wife of C. Lan- , 



daal; Jennie D., Cornelius C, Henry, Arend J., 

Martha M. and lleiiiian /,. Foui children, two 
sons and two daughters, are deceased. 

Mr. and Mis. Nyland are members of the Dutch 
Reformed Church and are highly respected hy all 
the citizens of Grand Haven. They have a good 
residence, conifortabl\ and tastefully furnished, 
and their home h.'is come to be recognized as one 
of great hos|)italitv. I'olitically, Mr. Nyland is a 
Republican, and his sketch may appropriately be 
closed by saying he is an honest man, a good i-iti- 
zen and an honor to his native country, as well as 
to the land of his adoption. He has held posi- 
tion? of trust, being at one time Alderman while 
a resident of Holland. His sons, following in his 
footsleijs, ha\e the confidence of the public, and 
C. C. served as Alderman in Grand Haven, while 
Herman is an Alderman at present. 



*":^'^ii^=5_ 






'typ^ NOS BOYKR, the courteous and energetic 
bf) shipping clerk of the mechanical depart- 
;L-^: ment of the Chicago A- West ^lichigan 
Railroad, at Muskegon, Mich., has for years been 
idenlilied with the social and business interests of 
his |)resent locality, and, transacting the various 
duties of his responsible position with able ti'lelity, 
possesses the confidence of the officers of the rail- 
road and has gained the esteem of the general 
public. Mr. Boycr is a native of Ohio and was 
born in Ashland County May (i, 1841. His father, 
.lohn Uoyer, a native of Pennsylvania, born in 
Huntingdon County in 18(11, and reared and edu- 
cated within the borders of the tjuaker State, at- 
tained to manhood enterprising and self-ieliant. 
Early removing to the Buckeye State, he became 
one of the pioneer settlers of Ashland County, and 
there, rearing to honored usefulness his family, 
survived to reach his eighty-fifth 3'ear, and after a 
life of energetic industry passed away in Williams 
County, O'.iio. During his residence of about a 
half-century- within the boundaries of the State of 
Ohio, the father witnessed the wonderful develoj)- 



314 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



ment which transformed the once wilderness into 
flourishing farms and smiling villages. 

The Bo3'ers are of German ancestry, their sturdy 
forefathers crossing the Atlantic and settling in 
Pennsylvania in a very early day in the history of 
our country. The mother, Margaret (Schantz) 
Boj'er, was born in Huntingdon County, Pa., but 
like her husband was the descendant of worthy 
German ancestors, who bequeathed to their chil- 
dren and children's children the habits of prudent 
thrift and earnest effort which have gained them 
prosperity and useful influence. Our subject at 
the age of two years removed with his parents 
from his birthplace to Williams County, where he 
attended school and began the work of life upon 
his father's farm. John Boyer was bj- trade a 
blacksmith, and with this occupation profitably 
combined the tilling of the soil. Euos, thoroughly 
trained in agricultural pursuits, became a practical 
farmer, and until twentj^-two years of age aided 
in the conduct and work of the old homestead. 
Leaving the farm in 1866, he then ran a sawmill 
and engaged successfully in this business for six 
years. At the expiration of this length of time 
our subject again returned to the life of a farmer, 
and, cultivating the acres of the old home, con- 
tinued in the peaceful vocation for a number of 
years. In 1886 Mr. Boyer removed to Michigan, 
and, locating in Muskegon, for four years worked 
for his brother, William Boyer. 

In 1890 our subject embarked upon his own ac- 
count in the grocery business, which he conducted 
successfully for two years, and then, selling out, 
accepted his present excellent position, in which he 
has full control of the shipping department. In 
1869 Knos Boyer and Miss Mary A. Mills, of Will- 
iams County, Ohio, and daughter of William 
Mills, likewise a native of Ohio, were united in 
marriage. The i)aternal grandparents of the es- 
timable wife of our subject were numbered among 
the pioneers of the Buckeye State and, widely 
known, were held in high esteem. Mr. and Jlrs. 
Bo3'er are the parents of two sons. Waller II. and 
Charles Isaac. Our subject and his devoted wife 
are both valued members of the Methodist Episco- 
pal Churcli and are active in religious and ben- 
evolent work. Their pleasant home is located 



upon the corner of Jackson and Prospect Streets. 
Our subject is fraternallv associated with the An- 
cient Order of United AVorkmen and is a member 
of Muskegon Lodge No. 133. In political af- 
filiation a stanch Prohibitionist, Mr. Boyer gives 
his earnest influence in behalf of the betterment 
of his fellow-men, and without being himself 
troubled with political aspirations is well posted 
in local and national affairs. A man of business 
abilit}' and upright character, he has won his up- 
ward way and fully possesses the high regard of 
the entire community by whom he is surrounded. 







|^^\ ARK B. COVELL. a i)rominent citizen 
and enterprising lumberman of Whitehall. 
'^ jNIuskegon County, Mich., has long been 
intimately associated with the progressive 
interests of his present locality, and is widely 
known as a public-si)irited citizen and thorcnigh 
business man. Our subject was born in Ridge- 
bury, Bradford County, Pa., June 26, 1849, and 
was the tenth of the twelve children born unto 
Calvin T. and Elizabeth (Coleman) Covell. The 
father, also a native of New York State, was the son 
of James Covell, who had seen service in the War 
of 1812. lie took part in the battle of I'laltsburgh, 
and moved from New York to Pennsylvania 
when he was Captain of the militia. The paternal 
great-grandfather, Jonathan Covell, was a soldier 
of the Revohilionaiy War, and transferred to his 
son .lames a tract of land which he had pur- 
chased. The wife of .lonathan was of Dutch de- 
scent. James married a Spanish lady, Rebecca 
Peirce. The early members of the family were 
farmers, and possessed only modeiate means, but 
were among the most loy;il and highly respected 
citizens of the United States. The immediate an- 
cestors mostly lived and died in Pennsylvania, 
where the father of oui' subject passed away in 
1879. 

The record of the mother's family is very lim- 
ited. Elizabeth Coleman w.as undoubtedly- born 



PORTIIAIT AiSD BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



315 



ill tlip State of New York, and there received her 
primary education. She died in I'ennsylvauia in 
1857. The late A. ,^. Covell. l.rotlier of Mari< li.. 
went to Wliito l.alic, western Mieiiigan. in IH.^7, 
and since tiic nanic of Covell has lieen a familiar 
one up and down the himlier camps of that part of 
the Stale. Tlio other brotliers. joininj;: A. ,)., also 
labored industriouslj- among the pineries, where 
they arrived sturdy, determined young men, with 
hut little or no ca[)ital. and solely witii resolulicni, 
perseverance and their excellent business ability, 
soon laid the foundations of the competence which 
each jraiiied the following years. .\iidi'ew.l. Cov- 
ell, the eldest of the family, settlingal White Lake, 
now Whitehall, died in 1885, leaving a fortune. 
Lvnian Covell, identified with the liimlier interests 
of Whitehall from the early 'tJOs, is now, and has 
been since he first engaged in the business, tlie 
partner of Hon. II. E. Staples, who married a sis- 
ter of the Covells. Lyman, probably the wealth- 
iest of tlie brothers, is a man of enterprise, identi- 
fied with every jirogressive interest of his locality. 
D. W. Covell, a farmer near Whitehall, is highly 
esteemed. 

Charles E. and Mark B. arc partners in business. 
Augusta M. Covell became the wife of .John C. 
Lewis, the lumbermen's banker and capitalist of 
Whitehall. Reljecca is the wife of tlie Hon. H. E. 
Staples. These four brothers and two sisters are 
the only survivors of the twelve children who 
once gathered about the family hearth. Our sub- 
ject spent his early life upon his father's farm in 
Pennsylvania, and received but a common-sciiool 
education. At twenty-one years of age he came 
West, located in Michigan, and for five years 
worked for the firm of Staples & CovelL At the 
expiration of that time he engaged in the grocery 
business in company with T. liennett, under the 
firm name of T. Hennelt & Co. Eor ten years the 
partnership continued prosperousl3-, Mr. Covell 
also investing in lumber and owning and oper- 
ating a line of l)oats between Whitehall and Chi- 
cago. In 18!)0, he dis|)Oscd of his former interests, 
and in 18'J1 bought from the heirs the business of 
his late brother, Andrew J., and is now head of the 
large mills, and has an interest in a shiiigle-niill 
and various manufacturing plants of Whileliall. 



Our subject has been uniformly successful in all 
his business undertakings, and the Covell brothers! 
whose estate places thcra among the large capital- 
ists of Muskegon County, are also widely known 
for their sterling integrity and upright dealings 
with customers and employes. 

Mr. Covell has been twice married. He was 
first married in 187;') to Miss Mary Byhra, a lady 
of Norwegian parentage. She died in 1891, leav- 
ing no issue. In the winter of 1893, our subject 
was united in marriage with Miss Mary Wilson, a 
native of Scotland, who came to Whitehall with 
her parents when two years of age. Fraternally, 
Mr. Covell is a valued member of the Ancient 
Eree (fe Accepted Masons, and politically has been 
a life-long liepublitan. and a descendant of an old 
Whig family. Eor the past eighteen years he has 
with fidelity discharged the duties of Treasurer of 
AVhitehall, and in all matters pertaining to the gen- 
eral welfare is a liberal-spirited and progressive 
citizen. 



4'^=4'==v 



y 




~\ 



ON. CHARLES K. HOYT, the present 

i) Representative of the Second District in 

the State Legislature, and a prominent 

*jj business man of Iludsonville, has con- 
tributed as largely- to the progress of Ottawa 
County along the lines of material and moral 
development as any other citizen now residing 
here. An excellent financier, shrewd business 
man and progressive citizen, he has, while still a 
young man, achieved a large measure of success, 
and has gained a position of distinction in this 
portion of the State. He traces his ancestry to 
England, whence in an early da}- members of the 
family emigrated to America. His grandfather, 
Keeler Hoyt, was a brave soldier in the War of 
18 1 2, and was, during the larger part of his career, 
a resident of New York. 

The father of our subject, Nelson Hoyt, was a 
native of Manlius, N. Y., born January 16, 1820, 
and in the Empire State he married Miss Elizabeth, 



316 



PORTRAIT AND B10(.'RAPI1ICAL RECORD 



daughter of Peter Barber, both of whom were 
born near Baldwinsville. After their marriage 
tlie parents of our subject came to Michigan and 
settled in Waterloo Township, Jackson County, 
where the fatlier still resides, beinij now among 
the oldest surviving settlers of his community. 
His firat wife, ilie mother of our subject, died 
August 4, 1863, and he afterwards married again, 
becoming by the latter union the father of one 
child, Seaborn. In politics a stanch Rc[)ul)lican. 
he was the occupant of a numbeiof township ofiices 
and served with fidelity in the various otfices to 
which he was elected. He was a liberal contributor 
to religious enterin'ises, and his wife, our subject's 
mother, was a member of the INIethodist Episcopal 
Church. 

Our subject is one of six children, four of 
■whom are now living. They are, Albine L., who 
married Fannie Finch, by whom he has become 
the father of five children; Rev. Peter B., who 
married Leora Hall, and resides in Commerce, Oak- 
land County, Mich., Charles K.;and Harry H., of 
Lawton, who married Eva I?., daughter of .John 
N. Waitc, of whom see sketch elsewhere in this 
volume. Harry H. and his wife are the parents of 
three children. The next to the youngest of the 
family is the subject of this sketch, who was born 
in Wateiloo Township, Jackson County, Mich., 
June 18, 18.31). He was reared on a farm, and was 
educated in the common schools of Waterloo Town- 
ship, where he fitted himself for the profession of 
a teacher. He was thus engaged in Jackson Coun- 
ty in the winter of 1875-76, and in Hanley, 
Ottawa County, for two years, and later in Hudson- 
ville for two and one-half 3ears. 

From this place Mr. Iloyt went t<j Pierson, 
Miiritcalm County, where he was employed us 
book-keeper for F. F. Taylor, a lumber and dry- 
goofls merchant of that place. In 1885 he re- 
turned to lludsonville, where he embarked in 
business f(jr himself, opening a store anil tilling it 
with a complete stock of groceries, dry goods and 
notions. He still conducts this estaljlishmcnt, al- 
though he no longer gives his persoiiiil supervision 
to the details of its management. A Republican 
in i)olilical belief, he has for jears been prominent 
in politics and has frequently' served .as a delegate 



to county and State con ventions. For four years 
he filled the position of Clerk of Georgetown 
Township, and during the administration of 
President Harrison he served as Postmaster at 
lludsonville, resigning that position in order to 
accept the nomination to the Legislature. 

In 1892 Mr. Hoyt was the Republican candi- 
date for the position of Representative of the 
Second District, and, being elected to that re- 
sponsible office, assumed the duties of the jilace on 
the 1th of January, 18i)3. He has served as Chair- 
man of the Committee on Towns and Counties, as a 
member of the Committee on Insuiance, and as a 
member of the Committee on the Northern Asylum 
for the Insane, located at Traverse City ; he was also 
on the Committee of Escort from the Legislature 
to the funeral of the Hon. Mr. Leavitt, of Oceana 
County. He has been prominent in fighting the 
saloon legislation and has worked ardently against 
increase of salaries, as well as for all measures 
beneficial to farming interests. He was elected 
for a period of two years and is still filling the 
[josition, rendering satisfactor}' service on behalf 
of his constituents. 

The marriage of Mr. Hoyt occurred November 
18, 1881), and united him with Esther ^SL, daughter 
of William H. and Anna (Barber) McEachron, na- 
tives of New York and early settlers of Geoige- 
town Township, Ottawa County. Later tUey re- 
sided in Jamestown Township, and at the present 
time (1893) the}' make their home in lludsonville. 
They have been the parents of seven children, of 
whom five are now living. Their daughter 
Esther M. was born in New York March 19, 1863, 
and was educated in this State, having formerly 
been a teacher in Ottawa County. Her jjarents 
were menibeis of the Methodist Episcopal Church, 
and her father was Trustee of the church at Han- 
ley, but she affiliates with the Congregationalists, 
and is an active woikcr in that denomination, to 
which Mr. Hoyt also belongs. Both are promi- 
nent workers in the Sunday-school, and he has 
olllciated as Tiustee in the cluirch. Tliey have a 
family of four children, liirnoy (!., Ralph L., 
Harold R. and an infant unnamed. 

From his youth Mr. Hoyt has maintained a 
deep interest in the cause of education, and he has 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



3i: 



been a member of the Scliool Board ever since be- 
coming a resident of lludsonvillc. The schools 
of this place compare favorably with those in 
larger towns, and an excellent system of grading 
has been introduced tlirough his efforts, assisted 
b}' others. In his social connections he is identi- 
fied with the Inde|)endent Order of Odd Fellows, 
and has filled all the chairs in the lodge here, 
which he has also represented in the Grand Lodge. 
He is a member of the Order of Maccabees, and 
is at present otficating as Sir Ivnight Comman- 
der, being the first occupant of that position in 
the order in Iludsonville. 



w<S)' 



!>^^<^^ 




s^ AMUEL H. STEVENS, Postmaster and in- 
surance agent of Muskegon, was born in 
Rochester, N. Y., March -4. 1831. and is of 
English descent, the family having been 
founded in America b}' ancestors who came from 
England. His grandfather was Artemus Stevens, 
and his parents were Samuel and Frances Miranda 
• (Iloj't) Stevens, natives of Massachusetts. 

The subject of this sketch spent the lirst twelve 
years of his life in Batavia, N. Y., and then emi- 
grated Westward to Waukegan. 111., where he 
grew to manhood and accpiiied his education. He 
worked on the home farm until fifteen years of 
age, when his services as a farm laborer ceased 
and he was employed in mercantile pursuits. In 
1856 lie came to .Muskegon and engaged in the 
drug business. The following year he became a 
partner of .ludge Wylee, under the firm name of 
VVylee it Stevens, proprietors of a general mer- 
chandise establishment, which they conducted to- 
gether until 18(51, when the firm retired from 
business. 

The same year Mr. Stevens w.as united in mar- 
ri.ige with Miss Laura S. Boyce, of Detroit, Mich., 
a daughter of Thomas Boyce. Their union was 
blessed with a family of five children, three sons 
and two daughters: Kate F., wife of Arthur 
.Sanford, of Muskegon; William H., who is clerk- 



ing in tlie postoffice; and Grace L., who ia still 
with her parents. Harrison J. and Edmost S. arc 
deceased. 

In 1862 Mr. Stevens formed a partnership with 
Ira .Smith in the mercantile business. At the 
expiration of six 3'ears, Mr. Stevens purch.ased his 
partner's interest, and devoted his time and atten- 
tion to his business for nine years. His ne.xt ven- 
ture was in an entirely different line. He opened 
an insurance office and became agent for both fire 
and life companies; and this business he has since 
successfully- carried on. In 1891 he wasappointed 
Postmaster of Muskegon by President Harrison, 
and is now the incumbent of that ollice. In all 
his business dealings he has been honorable and 
upright, and has therefore won universal confi- 
dence and regard. 

In politics, Mr. Stevens is a Republican and an 
inflexible adherent of the party with which he has 
been identified since its organization. .Socially, 
he is a member of the Knights of Pythias lodge, 
and also holds membership with Muskegon Lodge 
No. 14(1, A. F. i' A. M. He has been connected 
with the interests and growth of Muskegon for 
thirty-six years, has been prominent in all pub- 
lic affairs that arc calculated to promote the gen- 
eral welfare, and is recognized as one of the lead- 
ing aiul valued citizens. 






>jgS<' 



■^1) ACOB BAUKNECHT. a prominent business 
man and well-known wholesale dealer in 
wood, coal and shingles, Muskegon, Mich., 
has for the past twenty-seven 3'ears been 
intimately associated with the leading interests of 
his present localil}', and enjoys a wide acquaint- 
ance and the sincere respect of many friends. 
Born in German^' in 18-45, our subject was the 
descendant of a long line of sturdy ancestors, who, 
through industrious thrift, steadil}- won their way 
upward to positions of useful influence. His fa- 
ther, .lohn Bauknecht, a cooper by trade, reared, 
educated and married in his native laud, was a 



318 



t>ORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



man of sterling integrity and upright character, 
and died in Germany. Our subject's niotlier mar- 
ried again and came with her husband to try their 
fortunes beyond the sea, that through the broader 
opportunities offered by a republican Government 
their cliildren might rise in tlie world. Jacob 
was but three years of age when, crossing the At- 
lantic, lie emigrated with his mother to America. 
Landing in IS'ew York City, the family' proceeded 
on their way to Albany, where the stepfather and 
motlier permanently located, and tliere Mr. Bauk- 
necht received his education in the public schools 
of the city and later worked diligently in a stove 
foundry. 

Until the year 1861 our subject pursued the 
even tenor of his way in Albany, but whtn the 
war broke out, answering to the call of the 
Government, he enlisted in Com|).iny D, Forty- 
third iS'ew York Infantry, commanded by Col. 
A'in ton, and, assigned to the Army of the Poto- 
mac, courageously participated in the follow- 
ing decisive engagements: Gettysburg, Antiolam, 
Marye Heights, and the Seven-Da\ s' Battle. I n No- 
vember, 1863, he was taken prisoner near Warren- 
ton, Va., and was incarcerated in Libb^- Prison 
and upon Belle Isle until M:ircli 22, 1864, when, 
having undergone most terrible privations and 
sufferings, our subject was exchanged and went to 
Annapolis to recuperate. Immediately upon the 
partial recovery of his strength, he nobly returned 
to the service, and was sent to re-enforce Gen. 
Buriiside in .-i tlirec-d.iys fight at Cold Har- 
bor, after which he returned to his own regi- 
ment at Petersburgh. In the fall of 1864, mus- 
tered out, Mr. Bauknecht returned to his Al- 
bany home, and in the s[)ring of 1866 journeyed 
to the farther West and settled in Muskegon. A 
man uf clear judgment, he saw his opportunities 
in the leading interest, of the State, lumbering, and 
for eighteen continuous years ran a sawmill with 
excellent results. In 1881 he emiiarked in his pres- 
ent Bouiishing business, |)rofitably selling wood, 
coal and shingles at wholesale, and in a compara- 
tively brier time building up a business which in 
its extent is second to no other in this locality. 

In the nKHith of April, 1871. were united in 
man iage Jacob Bauknecht and Miss Annie Jesstui, 



who was boru in Sweden and is a lady of worth 
and superior ability. Our suliject and his esti- 
mable wife have been blessed by the birth of three 
sons and two daughters, who with their cheerful 
presence brightened the pleasant home on the 
corner of Houston and Seventh Streets. Henry A. 
is the eldest-born; then follow in order of birth 
Celia A., Jesse (L, Paul Edward and Dora lielle. 
These brothers and sisters will all have the bene- 
fit of excellent educational advantages and be 
given every opportunity to fit themselves for any 
position of trust to which they may be called. 
Mr. Bauknecht is a member of Phil Kearney 
Post No. 7, G. A. R., and is fraternally associated 
with ISIuskegon Lodge No. 133, A. O. U. W. He 
takes an active interest in all matters of public 
welfare and is intelligently posted on the vital is- 
sues of the day. 



"OHN P. NABER, a prominent agriculturist, 
and a courageous veteran of the late Civil , 
AVar, has for years been School Moder- 
'^^^J ator in the district of his home locality, 
section 34, Holland Townshi|), Ottawa County, 
Mich. Born in the Netherlands March 1!), 1841, 
our suliject was the son of Peter and Catherine 
Naber. The father, whose birthdiiy was April I.'>. 
181(1, was likewise born in the Netherlands, but mnv 
makes his home in Holland Township, section 'ih. 
The paternal grandparents, honest, hard-working 
people, were John and Cora (\'an(lersklier) Naber. 
The parents of (Uir suliject, accompanied by their 
family and a Inother of the father, set s;iil for the 
United States March 5, 1848, and were forty-two 
d.a\s making the voyage. Landing in New Yoi k 
City they proceeded by canal boat to liufl'alo. From 
the latter city they journeyed to Chicago by boat, 
and tlience came to Holland Mii-h., where the 
father's xiOO were so<iii exhausted, as he |)ui chased 
forty-live acres of land at i^'i per acre, and was 
obliged to at once lay in a stock of groceries and 



J" 



>tsr«^ ^^^S^ 




Johannes G.Van Hees 



PORTRAIT A>D BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



321 



provisions for the use of liis family, who lived 
with tlieir iieiijhlxiis until their little house was 
built. The cliildroii uf the parents were Corn, 
John P., .lakubena, Peter and .Mary. The father, 
a devout nieniher of the Uefornied Chureli, was 
for ten years a Deacon at Holland and for ten 3'ears 
held the same sacred otHce in the Khenezer Church. 
Politically, he is a Uepuhlican and a thoroughly 
loyal citizen. 

Only seven years of age when he came to Amer- 
ica, o^ir subject received but little scliooling in the 
Old Country, and never had much opportunity to 
gain an education. He worked on liis father's 
farm until twenty-one years of age, tlicn enlisted 
in 1862 in Company I, Tweiity-lifth Michigan ; 
Infantry, and. engaged in the Army <jf the Cum- 
berland, fought at Tibb's Bend and actively par- 
ticipated in every battle fought under Sherman 
until they reached Atlanta. Later he took |)artin 
tiie engagement at Nashville, and although in the 
midst of seventeen fierce encounters was never | 
wounded nor taken prisoner, neither was he absent 
from his regiment one day. Receiving his honorable 
discharge in North Carolina, Mr. Naber was mus- 
tered out of the Government service in .I.ackson, 
Mich. Return iug home, he again resumed the 
clearing of the land, and now owns one hundred 
and twenty-live valuable acres, one of the most 
finely cultivated farms and substantially improved 
homesteads in the locality. Our subject is a thor- 
oughly practical farmer, trained from his early 
childhood to the tilling of the soil; he also un- 
derstands the culture of vegetal)les and fruit, and 
has made a success of agricultural i)ursuits, and 
upon his extensive homestead has some excellent 
stock. 

.lohn P. Naber and Miss Henrietta Dehaan were 
united in marriage ,Iune 14, IbGG. Mrs. Naber is 
the daughter of John and Chacolena Dehaan, and 
was born in the Netherlands, as were also her par- 
ents, who emigrated to the I'nited States when the 
estimable wife of our subject was but four years of 
age. Five children have blessed the union of .Mr. 
and Mrs. Naber: Catherine, Kdward, Peter, Chaco- 
lena and .lohn. Mr. and Mrs. Nabeu are both de- 
vout members of the Reformed Church, of which 
our subject has been a De.acon for a number of 




years. Politieally a Republican and an earnest 

advocate of the party, he has given great satisfac- 
tion in his position .as School Moderator, and, in- 
timately associated with the progressive interests 
of the township, is regarded with high respect, and 
in bis wide acquaintance commands the sincere 
confidence due his sterling integrity and business 
ability. 



N^)!# •?•• -» • ^? ^ ' 



,.f LBKRTl'S G. VAN HLKS, a successful 
mlu\ farmer and stock-rai.ser of Zeeland Town- 
lli ship, Ottawa County, was born in the city 
of Rotterdam, Holland. April 16, 1838, 
and is the son of .lohannes G. and Neeltje (De- 
Yries) Van Hees. His paternal grandfather, Albert 
Van Hees, served in the army under the famous 
Napoleon in 1805, and ui)on retiring to civic life 
engaged in business as a paper manufacturer. His 
death occurred at tiie age of forty-five years. He 
w.as survived for many years by his wife, Anna, 
who passed from earth in ISol, at the age of 
eighty-three. She left two children, Johannes G. 
and Jansje. 

The fallier of our subject was born in Gelder- 
land, Holland, in the city of Arnhein. At the age 
of sixteen years he removed to Rotterdam, where 
he married Miss Neeltje DcVries and resided 
nineteen years. Thence, iu company with a col- 
ony of fifteen hundred of his compalriots. he 
came to America. Leaving Holland on the 16th 
of August, 1847, he landed at S.-ig Harbor, Long 
Island, on the 20th of October, 1847. His destin- 
ation was Pella, Iowa, which had been founded 
by Rev. H. P. Scholte. He arrived in Chicago 
November 18, 1847, and, .is the season was then 
far advanced, he remained in that city during the 
winter. Ivuly in 18 18 he started on foot with 
Jacob Bogards for the Dutch settlements of 
Michigan, spending two weeks en route. Aban- 
doning his Pella scheme, he located in Zeeland, 
where he arrived on the 16ih of August, 1848, 
accompanied by his wife, son and father-in-law, 
the latter eighty years of age. 



322 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



At once after settling in Zeeland, Johannes G. 
Van Hees became a leader in the colony, both in 
political and church circles. He served as Super- 
visor of the township for twenty-two j-ears and 
five months, and also served in other important 
positions. A man of noble powers, great ability, 
sound common-sense and unusual memory, he was 
fitted for tlie i)roininent position he occupied. He 
followed the other leaders of his people, Scholte, 
Van Haalte, C.Van Der Meulen and others, and left 
the Stale church and his Fatherland for a free land 
and a free church. Prior to 1864 lie was a Demo- 
crat, but afterward affiliated with the Republicans. 
Possessing the most scrupulous ideas of honor and 
right, he would not tolerate the least dishonest}' 
in another. 

A friend to the |)ublic school system, Mr. Van 
Hees served as a member of the School Board 
until 1883, when advancing years and enfeebling 
powers induced him to resign. Respected and 
honored in life, he was mourned when he died 
suddenly on the 13t!i of September, 1891. For 
many 3-ears prior to his decease he made his home 
on section 19, where he had originally owned forty 
acres and later was the owner of one hundred 
acres. A ruling Elder in the church, he was promi- 
nent in religious affairs, and was a generous con- 
tributor to the cause of Christianit}'. His wife, 
who was born April 23, 1803, passed from earth 
August 13, 1874, at the at;e of seventj'-one. She 
was a daughter of Gerret DeVries, a native of 
Rotterdam, Holland, and a grocer and mason by 
trade. After his wife's death, he came with his 
daughter to America, in 1847, and died in the 
spring of 1849, at the age of eighty-three. 

The subject of this sketch was reared on a farm 
and received a liberal education, both in Dutch 
and English. He made his home with his father 
until the demise of the latter, and still occupies 
the old homestead of one hundred acres, where he 
tills the soil and engages in raising Shropshire 
sheep and other stock. A Democrat prior to 1860, 
be has since that time been a Republican and has 
been elected upon his party ticket to numerous 
positions of trust. He has frequently served as 
delegate to State conventions, has been Notary 
Public for twelve years, and is now Justice of the 



Peace. A member of the Reformed Church, he has 
been a Deacon for fourteen years, and since 1890 
has served as Elder. 

May 26, 1856, Mr. Van Hees married Francina, 
daughter of Arie and Jannetje (DeHaan) Van Bree, 
and a native of South Holland. Mr. Van Bree was a 
butcher in the Old Country, and served in the 
Belgian War in 1832. After coming to the United 
States in 1849, he followed the trade of a butcher 
for a few years, also engaging in business as a 
shoemaker. He died in Zeeland, December 7, 
1891, at an advanced age, having been born March 
13,1811. His first wife, who was born in 1791, 
died in July, 1875. Mr. and Mrs. Van Hees were 
the parents of fourteen children, only five of 
whom survive: John G., of Big Rapids, who is 
married and has two children, Frances E. and Vera 
M.; Arie ; Nellie, the wife of Dirk Pyl, and the 
mother of one child. Frances; Albert G. and Anna 
F.. residing at home. Frank died at the age of 
two years, and Jane F. passed away when a girl of 
fourteen. 



^ 



WIUSTUS STILES, the oldest living settler in 
Polkton Township, who voted at the or- 
ganization of the township, and was in fact 
the first settler in town 8, range 14 west, 
with the exception of the trappers and hunters 
along the river bank, has been a resident of the 
State of Michigan almost three-score years, and 
has been a dweller within the count\' of Ottawa 
since 1844. Our subject, a native of St. Lawrence 
County, N. Y., was the second of ten children 
born unto Justus and Aurilhi (Clark) Stiles, both 
natives of New England. The father was born in 
1778 in Vermont; the mother's birthplace was 
Massachusetts. The paternal ancestors were of 
English biitli. The responsibility of the care and 
training of the younger sons and daughters of the 
parents devolved mainl^' upon the son Justus, 
who, with enterprising and self-reliant effort, as- 
sumed the burdens of the day in his early boy- 



i»ORTRAlT AND BIOGliAl^HJCAL RECORD. 



323 



hood. Nancy L.. the oldost of the f.-jmily, became 
the wife of George C.-iiie and made lier lionie in 
IJaltle Creek; .Justus came next; Amos lives in 
Calhoun; Chiuincey S. died in Ottawa County; 
Ricliard C. also passed away in Ottawa C'(,)unty; 
Mary A. is the wife of II. Hail, of llattle Creek; 
Cynthia, deceased, wastlie wife of .John Dickenson; 
Alma .1. is the wife of Pxlwin Van Winkle, of Hat- 
tie Creek; Julia A. married Henry Hall, of Battle 
Creek; and Harvey C. died young. 

Our subject accompanied his parents to Battle 
Creek iu 1835, and tiiev found but one frame house 
where tiie city now stands. Tiie father not long 
after died, leaving to the care of the widow a large 
family of little ones. In 1844 Mr. Stiles was uni- 
ted in marriage with Miss .\nn .Stveator, and with 
his wife soon after made his home in Ottawa 
County. The3' located upon the identical spot 
where their first house stood nearly a half-century 
ago, and there our subject, toiling industriously-, 
cleared the eight}' acres of land of heavy timber, 
and erected a log cabin beside the verj- stumps of 
the trees felled for that purpose. At the organ- 
ization of the township sixteen voted in the first 
election held at Scranton, now Kastmaii ville. Mr. 
Stiles declined to accept many oflices of the town- 
ship which were tendered hiin, but when he did 
occasionally permit the use of iiis name he was in- 
variably elected. He and his excellent wife, shar- 
ing in the toils and privations of pioneer life, 
buried five little ones in infancy and reared to 
adult age five sons and daughters. The eldest 
surviving child is E. H., now Postmaster at Coop- 
ersville; .losephine is the wife of H. Orson Dodge, 
of Newaygo; Jane, deceased, was the wife of Edgar 
Hamilton, of Coopersville; Henry J. lives upon 
the old home farm; and Hezza is the wife of Har- 
rison Averill, of Ottawa County. Mr. and Mrs. 
Stiles are both remarkably well preserved, being 
hale and hearty and enjoying their many daily 
blessings. Our subject, who is in his seventy- 
fourth year, h.as witnessed the many remarkable 
changes inci<iental to the life of the frontiersman. 
Politically, he and his son are strong Democrats 
and deepy interested in both local and national 
issues. 

Mr. Stiles has until recently taken an active in- 



terest in the schools of the county, and is a well- 
known friend to educational advancement. He 
gave his children a good common-school education, 
and his eldest son taught school many years. Our 
suhjecl, although a man of sterling integrity of 
character, has never been connected with any 
church organization or fraternal society. E. 11. 
Stiles, the eldest living son of our subject, was 
born in l't)lkton Tf)wnship in 1H49, and, growing 
up to manhood on his father's farm, assisted in the 
summer and in the winter attended the district 
school. Wlicn alioiil twenty-two 3 ears of age he 
engaged in teaching school and. continuing for 
five years a successful instructor, in the mean time 
attended the Grand Rapids Business College. Un- 
til the winter of 1K!)2-1893 he taught contin- 
uousl}-, and during the summer months, as in 
youth, engaged industriously in the pursuit of 
agriculture. He was married in 1876 to Miss Mary 
A. Coburn, of Zeeland, and a daughter of Milan 
Coburii. This excellent and accomplished lady 
was always delicate, and upon July 2, passed 
away mourned by all who know her. Mr. Stiles 
has been active in the local politics of Ottawa 
County and ably served as Clerk of Polkton 
Township. In June, 1893, he was commissioned 
under President Cleveland Postmaster of Coop- 
ersville, an office whose duties he is well adapted 
to discharge to the great satisfaction of his fellow- 
townsmen. Fraternally, Mr. Stiles is a Knight of 
Honor, and socially is a popular man, enjo.ying the 
high regard of many friends. 



/«^ ORNELirS WESTR.VTK. Many of the 
[|(^^ most active and enterprising residents of 
^^Jf' Holland Township are natives of this 
county and have here spent the greater portion of 
their lives. In them we find men of true loyalty 
to the interests of this part of the State, who un- 
derstand, as it were' by instinct, the needs, social 
and industrial, of this vicinity, and who have a 



524 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



thorough knowledge of its resources. Tiiey are 
therefore better adapted to succeed liere than a 
stranger could he, and are |)robabl3- without ex- 
ception warmly devoted to the prosperity- of their 
native place. 

Cornelius Westrate was born in Ottawa County, 
Zeeiand Township, Mich., in 1849, to the union of 
Marienus and Johanna (Zoulwel) Westrate, both 
of whom were natives of the Netherlands. Tlie 
fatlier learned tlie carpenter's trade in his youth, 
and was married in the Old Country. There six 
children were born to his first union. About 
1847 he emigrated to the United States with his 
family, located at Zeeiand, Ottawa County, Mich., 
and tliere married Miss Zoutwel, who bore him 
one child, the subject of tiiis sketch. In this 
township the father bought land, and in connec- 
tion with farming carried on his trade until 1851, 
when he was killed by a fall from a house. Of 
the children born to the first union, the following 
are now living: .losepli, Nellie, .lane and William. 
Their mother died in the Old Country. After the 
death of Mr. Westrate his widow married Matthew 
Naye, by whom she had one ciiiid. .lane Maggie, 
now tiie wife of George Lokes. 

Until nearly twenty-one years of nge our sub- 
ject remained under the parental roof, and the 
fundamental ])rinciplesof education were instilled 
into iiis young mind in tlie common schools. 
After leaving home he worked out for different 
farmers in the section for about a year, and was 
then united in marriage to Miss Henrietta Kloos- 
terman, daughter of .loiin and Fannie (Vink) 
Kloostermau, natives of Holland. The happy do- 
mestic life of our subject has been blessed by 
the birth of eight children, .as follows: Marienus, 
who married Miss Maggie Depenharst; Fannie, 
Johanis, John, Minnie, Peter, Albert and William. 

At the time of his marriage our subject had 
little or no means, and the d.ay after his union 
he began work in a sawmill at Zeeiand. receiv- 
ing ^l.iiO per da^-. He worked for other people 
until 187.'}, when he rented a farm for four 3'ears. 
His life of industry and usefulness and ids record 
for integrilj- and true-hearted faithfulness in all 
the relations of life have liad their effect, and he 
is now the owner of one hundred acres of land, 



with good substantial buildings, all erected by 
himself. He has the respect and esteem of a large 
circle of friends, and he and his estimable wife 
are members of the Holland Reformed Church 
of Zeeiand. In politics he inclines to the platform 
of Ihe Republican jjart}'. Has held the office of 
Road Commissioner, and for thirteen years was a 
school officer. 



[^" 



ON. CHARLES HENRY HACKLEY,alum- 
|< berman of Muskegon, was born January 3, 
1837, at Michigan City, Ind. His father, Jo- 
seph H. Ihickley, was a native of the State of 
New York, of Welsh descent, and for manj' years a 
contractor and railroad builder. His mother, whose 
maiden name w.as .Salina Fuller, passed her early 
youth in Ohio, and attained to the age of forty- 
eight years, dying at Muskegon August 16, 1864. 
They had five children, three sons and two daugh- 
ters, of whom our subject was the eldest, and 
is the oul}- one now living. While quite young, 
his parents moved to Southport, now Kenosha, 
Wis., and here Mr. Hackley obtained his education 
at the district schools. 

Arriving at the age of fifteen years, our subject 
left school and engaged with his father in road- 
building. At seventeen years of age he had un- 
der him a gang of men and had charge of twenty 
miles of plank road, his duty being to keep it in 
repair. His time was devoted to hard work in 
connection with his father's business until the 
spring of 1856, when he eng.aged to work ids pass- 
age to Michigan on the schooner ''"Challenge." 
Landing in Muskegon on the morning of April 
17, 1856, with only a few dollars in his possession, 
he went to work at noon on the same da3' as a 
common laborer for Durkee, Truesdell & Co., lum- 
ber manufacturers, and without asking what re- 
muneration he was to receive. His foreman after- 
ward gave in his time at 122 per month, which 
the firm later incre.ased to $26. In the fall of 
1856, when the mill had shut down, he went into 
the woods for the same company, and there he 
was employed the following winter, scaling logs, 



PORTRAIT AKD BIOGRAFIUCAL RECORD. 



325 



reccivinsr ?30 |)er month as wages. The next 
spring lie was made outside foreman and liad 
charge of the men engaged in sorting and piling 
lumlier and elearing tlie mill. 

The fall of 18.")7 was a disastrous one for the 
lumber interests, a large number of manufactur- 
ei-s failing, and coni|wratively little logging was ■ 
done in the wot)ds in the enduing winter. Mr. 
Hackley, through his energy, perseverance and 
ability, had by this time gained the confidence and 
esteem of his employers, and they suggested that 
if he would return to Kenosha and spend the win- 
ter at the commercial school at that place, they 
would pay a portitjn of his expenses, with tlie un- 
derstanding that if he proved competent he was 
to return the following spring and take charge of 
their books. This proposition was accepted, but 
during his absence, the flrni of Durkce, Truesdell 
iV- Co. went into liquidation and (iideon Truesdell 
became its successor. 

Early in 1858 Mr. Hackley became book-keeper 
for Mr. Tnicsdoll and also had charge of the ship- 
inciit'* of luiiiiicr and of the siipi)ly store, wliicii he 
ran in connection with the mill, and he filled this 
position acceptably, while still receiving only *30 
per month salary, until thcspringof 1«5;». I'om- 
ero}' <fe Holmes, lumber manufacturers, failing at 
this time, Mr. Hackley, with his father and Mr. 
Truesdell, [juichased the property and organized 
the firm of J. H. Hackley ik Co., under which name 
the business was successfully conducted for the 
next two seasons. In IStiO the linn purchased 
the property known as the "Wing mill," which 
they continued to operate until 1 86{), Mr. Hackley 
assuming charge of the books of the two mills in 
addition to those of Mr. Truesdell, while he was 
as well general manager for the latter, who had 
moved to Chicago. 

In 18G6 Mr. Hackley purchased Mr. Truesdell's 
interest in the old I'onieroy it Ilcjliiies mill, and 
with his father and brothers, Edwiu and Porter, 
organized the firm of Hackley & Sons, under which 
style the business was continued until 1874. In 
the same 3'ear .lames McGorilon purchased the 
interests of .1. H. Hackley and Gideon Truesdell 
in the old "Wing mill" and went into partnership 
with our subject, under the firm name of Hacklej- 



* McGordon. In 1873 tlie Hackley & .Sons mill 
was sohl and removed, and a new one erected 
upon till' same site at a cost of !|S80,000. The 
following year J. H. Hackley died, and shortly 
afterward the mill of Hackley \' McGordon was 
destroyed by fire, with a loss of $50,000, and an 
insurance of *;]5,fl00. 

Mr. McGordon having on the death of .1. H. 
Hackley purchased an interest in the firm of Hack- 
ley <fe Sons, a new firm was organized, under the 
name of C. II. Hackley it Co. Edwin Hackley 
died in 1875, and in 1880 James McGordon died. 
The hitter's interest was bought by Thomas Hume, 
and the firm again changed its name, adopting 
that of Hackley it Hume. In 1884 Porter Hack- 
ley died, when the entire business became vested 
in Charles II. Hackley and Thomas Hume, and has 
since that time been conducted by Iheni under the 
firm name of Hackley it Hume. 

The mill has a capacity of about thirty million feet 
of lumber and eight million pieces of lath per season 
and is doing one of the largest businesses on Mus- 
kegon Lake, and, in fact in the State of Michigan. 
Their timber lands are principally in Clare County, 
from wiiicli for many years they cut annually about 
thirty million feet of lumber and hauled from 
ten to fifteen million feet for parties owning tim- 
ber in the same vicinity, allof which is transported 
over their own logging railroad, fifteen miles in 
length, to the Muskegon RiveratJonesville, Clare 
County. They are also owners of sailing-ves.sels, 
which are employed in canning their product 
to Chicago, where their principal market is found. 
The firm also own large tracts of pine timber lands 
in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Arkansas, Louisiana, 
Mississippi and South Carolina. They are also in- 
terested in the H. C. Akeley Lumber Com|)any, of 
Minneapolis, Minn., an incorporated company' or- 
ganized in January, 1889. Mr. Hackley is President 
of the Hackley National l?ank, a stockholder of the 
Lumberman's National 15ank of Muskegon, a stock- 
holder of the Muskegon Savings Hank and the 
Oceana County Savings Hank, situated at Hart, 
and is also a stockholder in twelve other national 
banks in various States in the Union. He is Treas- 
urer of the Muskegon Hooming Compaii}-. 

Mr. Hackley succeeded his father in the ollicc of 



326 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPfflCAL RECORD. 



County Treasurer on the death of the latter in 
1874, and in 1877 was elected Alderman of the 
Fourth Ward of the cit}-, holding that office for 
two terms. He was elected a member of the Board 
of Education in 1877 for a term of three years, re- 
elected in 1880 but declined to serve, and in 1888 
he was again elected to the same office, and b^- re- 
election has been a member since, and is now 
President of the Board. May 25, 1888, Mr. Ilack- 
lej' announced to tiie Board of Education his pur- 
pose and desire to pl.ace in their liands and in 
trust forev^er the sum of $100,000 for the erection 
and maintenance of a public library and reading- 
room in the city of Muskegon. The conditions 
of tlie grant were of the most liberal character, 
in the main being that the library and reading- 
room should be kept open to the public without 
charge, and with suitable rules and regul.Ttions to 
be prescribed liy tlie Board. The library is one of 
circulation as well as reference, and the reading- 
room is furnisiied with the best periodical liter- 
ature of the day. Since tlie donation was made, 
Mr. Hackley has for the third time become a mem- 
ber of the Board of Education, this time by a 
unanimous vote, and has been enabled to give his 
own counsel in the carrying into execution of 
the grand trust he has establislied. In commem- 
oration of the gift, the Board of Education or- 
dained that the 25th of May in each year shall 
be forever set apart and observed by exercises 
of a special character, commemorative of the muni- 
licence, public spirit and good-will of tlie donor. 
Mr. Hackley subsequently made an additional 
donation of 125,000. the amount to be devoted to 
the purchase, after finishing the library building, 
of books, which further illustrates the philan- 
thropic spirit of the man, and makes the most 
princely gift known to Michigan, while it adds 
materially to the value and usefulness of the ben- 
efactor. 

Before building the library, the ISoaid of Edu- 
cation called for competitive designs from six 
leading architects of the country, with the result 
that in August, 1888, the Board selected the plans 
submitted 113' Patton <ir Fisher, architects, of Chi- 
cago, 111. The building is a massive structure of 
the Romanesque style of architecture, built ofpink 



syenite granite, with brown-stone trimmings. It is 
symmetrical and artistic, and has a picturesque door 
of graceful design in one corner, and a combina- 
tion of gaoles, windows, arches and columns which 
give a rich and impressive appearance. A broad en- 
trance with steps fronts on Webster Avenue, and 
there, is a private entrance on Third Street, near 
the book-room. From the main entrance a hail 
opens into the delivery room, 31x50 feet in size, 
fronting on Webster Avenue. To the left of this 
room is a reference library, and to the right a 
spacious reading-room, willi ladies' reading-room 
adjoining, and the librarian's room on the north. 
The book-room, extending along Third Street and 
lighted on three sides, is 42x56 feet, and will hold 
seventy-one thousand tive hundred volumes. On 
the second floor is a spacious room, with smaller 
and convenient rooms adjoining, suitable for lec- 
ture room, art gallery, museum or otliei- purposes. 
The basement is divided into convenient rooms 
for storage, heating apparatus, fuel and such pur- 
poses as m.i3' hoieafler be determined. The build- 
ing is constructed in the miisi durable and sub- 
stantial manner, is practically fire-proof, and noth- 
ing has been left undone to make it an attractive 
and convenient building, in every respect adapted 
to the purpose for which it is used. 

Our subject was married October 3, 1864, to 
.Tulia E., daughter of Hiram Moore, of Center- 
ville, Allegany County, N. Y. Mr. Hackley pos- 
sesses in a marked degree those elements of char- 
acter that insure business success. He is observ- 
ant, silent, critical, and accurate in judgment, 
and is gifted with unusual executive ability- in the 
administration of business affairs. His counsel is 
alwaj's sought and made use of in the direc- 
tion of the many financial and business corpor.a- 
tfons with which he is connected. In the selection 
of men to aid him in the conduct of his numerous 
and im))ortant business enterprises, his practical 
sagacity is exemplified and justified. To such he 
gives his fullest confidence, and the trust isami)ly 
repaid. Affable and courteous in his manners to- 
ward all, he is nevertheless unobtrusive and re- 
tiring. Fond of domestic life and the .society of 
friends in informal gatherings, he shuns crowds, 
social or political. 



PORTRAIT AND lilOCiRAPII'CAL RECORD. 



327 



The possessor of a large fortune, acquired by 
the exercise of his fine intelligence, tact and in- 
genuity, he has never forgotten tiie comparative 
privation of his earl^- life and tlie hard and bitter 
struggle of many who have not been able to ob- 
tain a comfortable living. The public knows but 
little of the numberless .icts of cliarity and help- 
fulness that Are due to his heart and hand. Tliey 
have been done without ostentation, and when 
known he has discour.aged jniblic notice of them. 
Tliey have been done, iiowever, in no half-liearted 
or lialf-iianded way, but timely, generously and 
efticientl.y. Latterly, however, the hidden and 
gracious influences that have been molding and de- 
termining the real character of the man have im- 
pelled him to a rare and munificent act of public 
benevolence, that of the gift of ?!2()0,000 for lib- 
rar}- purposes. Thus he has founded a great public 
benefaction, of which every intelligent person in 
the community becomes a partaker fur all time to 
come; and while to do good to others by incon- 
spicuous deeds of cliarity or heI|)fiiliH'SS is within 
the reacli of all. the spirit and ability to perform 
such an act of generosity area privilege that comes 
to few. 

In 1889 Mr. Ilackley purchased an entire block 
between Tliird and Fourtli Streets and Webster 
and Clay Avenues; liad the residences upon it 
removed and tiie ground finely graded, and upon 
this he erected a magnificent soldiers' monu- 
ment of Westerley granite, seventy-six feet high, 
the apex of wliich is crowned by tiie Goddess of 
Liberty in bronze, heroic size. Near the b!»sc of the 
monument, on the four corners, stand tiie four 
arms of tiie military service, represented b\- heroic 
bronze statues. The monument and grounds cost 
*7 1.000, the total amount being about *.'?00,000. 
In addition, he iiresented the city with the line 
granite school buibliiig known as the Ilackley 
Public School, located across from the .Soldiers' 
Monument and diagonally acro.ss from the library. 
This is also a costly and elegant structure. The 
entire gift-* to the city by Mr. Ilackley exceed 
$300,00(1. 

In 1891 the Central Public School building 
was burned, iiaving an insurance of only *;U),- 
000. In order to enable the Hoard to re|>lace 



the building, Mr. Hackley submitted a propo- 
sition stating that if the city would authorize 
an issue of $75,000 bonds, bearing interest at 
five per cent., to run fifty years, for the erection 
of a new building, he would take these bonds at 
par and furnish the money as needed. In addi- 
tion to this, Mr. Ilackley donated the entire issue 
of the bonds to the public schools, the interest to 
be devoted to maintaining the current expenses 
of the Hackle}' Public Library forever. These 
propositions were gratefully accepted by the peo- 
ple, and the bonds authorized by city election 
April 14, 1891. The proposition has all been ful- 
filled, and the bonds delivered and assigned to 
the Board of Education, the income from which 
makes the library self-sustaining. 

Mr. Hackle)- has, almost since its organization, 
been a member of the Republican party, but is not 
in any .sense an active politician, though his coun- 
sels have been sought by the leaders of his party 
in the State. 



-^-^^^^i-^-i^li^^l^ 



OE. YATES, M. D. The medical man is held 
I in the greatest esteem by savage as well as 
^^i^x' civilized people, and deservedly so, because 
in his hands are so often the issues of life and death. 
All honor is due the profession of medicine, be- 
cause it is composed of the noble army of men who 
devote their lives to curing the ills that (lesli is heir 
to. Among the leading medical practitioners of 
Ottawa County, Mich., is Dr. O. E. Yates, who is 
of the regular school of mediciiif, and has his 
home in Holland. He was born in Wayne Coun- 
ty, Mich., October 12, 1815, a son of .lolin C. 
Yates, wli(» was born in the Slate of New York, 
and was reared near the city of .Mliany. When a 
boy of fourteen years, he was a member of the 
New York Slate Mililia, and went over the ground 
at Champion Hill shortly alter the battle. Sev- 
eral of his relatives were in the War for Indepen- 
dence. He early came lo Wayne ('(Hint}', Mich., 
and soon after his arrival at this place he wooed 



328 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



and won for bis wife Miss Maiy E. Stephenson. 
In 1846 lie removed to Callioun County. IMich., 
where he piiichased a tract of land, on which lie 
resided until liis death, having become the father 
of four children. 

Tlie youthful days of our subject were spent 
in Calhoun County, and there he obtained a 
practical education in the i)ublic schools, and still 
later finislied his studies in Mayhew's Business 
College, at Albion. For some time following tliis 
he taught school, worked ou the farm, and his 
leisure niomeuts were devoted to the study of 
medicine, for tiis naturally kind heart turned in- 
stinctively to that broad field of liuman suffering 
for his life work. In 1867 he went to Cincinnati 
and entered the Eclectic Medical Institute, from 
wliich he was graduated in February, 1860. He 
soon after located in Plainwell, Mich., where he 
inacticed his profession until August, 1880; he 
then went to Fillmore, and in 1883 came to Hol- 
land, where he has i)racticed the regular system of 
medicine with much success, and isalread}' largely 
patronized. 

In 1876 he was married to Miss Certiude I. 
Giddings, a grand-niece of Joshua R. Giddings, 
the great anti-slavery advocate. Mrs. Yates was 
born in Kalamazoo County, Mich., and has borne 
her husband three children: Grace W., Amy M. and 
Avis G. The Doctor lias alwaj's been a Republican 
sympathizer and supporter, and by that jiarty was 
elected Coroner of Ottawa County, and afterward 
Mayor of the city. He w.as for five years a mem- 
ber of the Board of Education, is President of the 
(irand River Valley Medical Society, is a member 
of the National and State Associations of Kail- 
way Surgeons, is Surgeon for the Chicago A West 
Michigan Railroad, and by ai)pointinent is Sur- 
geon for the American Casualty Company. 

Our subject and his family attend the Hope Re- 
formed Church, in which they are active workers, 
and ill the social circles of the tnwii of Holland 
they are held in liigh esteem. The Doctor's otflce 
is located in the McBride Block, and his time is 
fully occupied with the large practice which his 
knowledge of his calling, his kind and coi<iial man- 
ners, and his promptness in responding tu the calls 
upon his services among rich and poor alike have 



won for him. He is a valuable addition to the 
city, and by his energy, push and public spirit has 
done much to make the town of Holland what it 
now is. 




-^^\ 



RED HAMLIN CAMPBELL. Among the 
\oung men who have gained prominence 
in Ottawa County, and who through the 
exercise of perseverance and energv have accu- 
mulated a large share of this world's goods, 
we pre-^ent the name of Fred H. Campbell. 
For a number of years engaged at the trade of a 
blacksmith, he is now following the vocation of 
agriculture, being the owner and occupant of a 
highly -cultivated farm in Georgetown Township, 
where be lias made bis home for a short time. 
Possessing a large amount of energy and deter- 
mination, these qualities, combined with good judg- 
ment, have contributed to iiis success as a farmer. 

Born in Iowa, March a, 1861, our subject is the 
son of Dennis Campbell, who was born in the 
.State of New York and there spent his early man- 
hood, removing thence to Iowa, where he followed 
the trade of a car|ienter for man}' years. He 
resided in Xew York, where his death occurred in 
1891. A nian of vigorous intellect and genial 
manners, he was mourned in death by a large 
circle of acquaintances, who held him in liigli 
regard. I'rior to removing to Iowa he had been 
united in marriage with Miss Elizabfth Wilcox. 
who w.as born in the Empire State, her father and 
mother being natives ucspectivel\' of Pennsylvania 
and New York. 

Of a family of eight cliildren, our subject was 
the fifth in order of birth. He was reared to ma- 
turity in Iowa and New York, where he was a 
student in the graded schools, and, being a diligent 
pupil, he gained a fair education. In 1882 he 
came to Michigan and located at Wtiitneyville, 
Kent County, where for two years he followed the 
trade of a lilacksmith. Disjiosing of his interests 
in that village, he removed to Hudson vilic, Ottawa 
County, where he conducted a blacksmith's shop, 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



3.11 



eanying on an extensive Iiusiness in that line for 
eleven years. I'pon selling out there, he located, 
in 1893, upon the farm in (ieorgetown Townsliip 
where he has since made his home and uhoic ho 
engages in raising the various cereals. 

In 1880 Mr. Campbell and .Miss Lizzie,daughter 
of Talkel Croninger, of Kent County, Mich., were 
united in marriage, and they are now the parents 
of three children: Frank. Arthur and Hoy. In 
his political belief, Mr. Canipbell is a true-blue 
Republican, and considers that protection of home 
industries -is the secret of national progress. 
While he is not identified wilh any religious 
organization, he gives his siiitport to the Congre- 
gational Church, of which his wife is an active 
member. .Sociall3-, he atliliates with Iludscjiivilie 
Lodge Jso. 346, I. O. (). F., and has been an in- 
cumbent of all the chairs in his lodge. As a citi- 
zen, he occupies a high pl.ace in the confidence and 
esteem of his businessassociates.as well as of those 
whom he meets socially. 



♦^=*^* 



*' FNUY KRKMKRS. M.I). In the learned 
professions Ottawa County has many noted 




representatives, and tins is particularly so 
in the field of medical science. In a re- 
view of this kind it will be readily understood 
that only llie most conspicuous figures in a rcpie- 
sentative class can receive special menlion. One 
of the leading meml)ers of the learned profession 
of medicine is Henry Kremers, who is a native of 
Zeeland Township, Ottawa County, Mich., his 
birth having occurred on the l.")tli of .July, 1850. 
The father of our suliject. William Ivremers, 
was born in the Netherlands i:i 1820, and there 
received his education. In I8I(; he emigrated to 
the "land of the free," atid the following 3'ear 
took up his residence in Ottawa County, Mich., 
but it was not until 1818 that he entered land of 
his own and began tilling the soil. The land was 
at that lime a wilderness, but with the utmost 
16 



energy and perseverance he succeeded in laying 
the forest low, bringing his land to a good stale of 
cultivation and otherwise improving it with good 
buildings. He was married to Miss Annie, a 
daughter of Lucas Ileins. who died in Holland. 
The widow came to the riiil<cl Slates with the 
family in 1811). Dr. lleiiiy Kremers was one of 
six children, the others being as follows: Harry, a 
minister of the Presbyterian Church ; Lucas, a 
farmer in South Dakota; Alice; .lennie, and one 
that died in infancy. The father of this family 
lived a useful life, and in 1878 died on the farm 
where many of his years were spent. Our subject 
was reared on the old liome place in Zeeland 
Township, Ottawa County, and, like the great ma- 
jority of farmer boj's at that time, his education 
was such .as could be obtained in the common 
schools of that day. His time when not in school 
was spent in assisting his father on the farm, and 
he obtained a thorough knowledge of the details 
of agriculture. Later he entered college, where 
he prosecuted his studies for four years. After 
teaching school for one year, he entered the medi- 
cal deiiartmcnt of the Michigan .State University, 
at Ann Arbor, from which he was graduated with 
the degree of M. D. in 1876. N'ery .shortly after- 
ward he located in the neighborhood of his old 
home, where he followed his profession for six 
years. In 1882 he took up his residence in Hol- 
land, and here has since pursued his practice with 
the best success. 

In 1877 the Doctor vv.as united in marriage with 
Alice, a daughter of Ivvder \'aii Zwalawenburg, 
who was lioin and reared in lloll.'Uid, liul cvciilu- 
ally became a citizen of the Inited States. The 
Doctor and his wife have five sons: William. 
Robert K.. l';dw:ii'd S. D., Cl.'uiiue 11.. and Frnest. 
Shortly afttr locating in Ibill.oid our subjicl 
formed a partnershi|) with William Z. Hangs in 
the drug business, which connection continued for 
about three years. He then liought Mr. Hangs' 
interest, and has condui-ted the business alone 
since that time. .lohu Uoost being at the head of 
the drug deparlnu'nt. He owns soiiif valuable 
business property in the town. and has a handsome 
residence at the corner of Market and rwclflb 
Streets. A Democrat politii-ally, he has lu^ld the 



332 



i-ORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



office of Mayor of Holland and is a member of 
the Board of Education. lie is a Director in the 
First State Bank and is one of the stockholders in 
the Holland & Chicago Transportation Company. 
For some time he has been connected with the 
Michigan State Medical Association, the American 
Medical Association and the Grand River Medical 
Societj'. He is one of the popular citizens of the 
place and is a physician of great skill and ability, 
as is attested by his large general practice. 



•-<H)' 



;>-^-<^ 



^- i- 



ji 



SAAC F. HUNTOON, a practical general agri- 
culturist and one of the most extensive fruit- 
growers of Cedar Creek Township, Muske- 
gon County, Mich., is a lifetime resident of the 
State, and was born in Ingham County, m the town 
of Leslie, February 23, 1844. Ilis parents, William 
and Clarissa (Stone) Iluntoon, were natives of the 
Empire State and New Hampshire, respectively. 
Married in New Yoi'k, the fatlier and mother emi- 
grated to Michigan in 1838, and took a prominent 
place among the pioneer settlers of the Wolverine 
State. The father, a tiller of the soil, purchased an 
unimproved farm of one hundred and twenty 
acres, one hundred acres of which he brought up 
to a high state of cultivation. In 1867 William 
Iluntoon, after a career of industrious usefulness, 
passed away lamented by all who knew him. The 
home of tlie parents was blessed b}' the birth of 
eight children. Ora J. is the wife of Leander Land- 
fairj I. F. is our subject; Lydia B. married Will- 
iam Vickery; Samuel .7., who was killed at the 
Weldon Railroad in Virginia, was a brave soldier 
and was severely wounded in the first Battle of 
the Wilderness; Harriet E. is the wife of George 
Labertaux; .James W. lives in Ingham Countj'; 
and Clarissa married George Gates. The eighth 
child passed away in infancy. The mother, now 
arrived at an advanced age,3-et survives. 

Our subject was educated in the common schools 
of Ingham Count}' and was reared upon his fath- 
er's farm. Upon the breaking out of the Civil 



War Mr. Huntoon enlisted in Company D, Twenty- 
seventh Michigan Infantry, and, attached to the 
Army of the Cumberland, .served in that com- 
mand with courage one 3'ear. He w.as later in the 
Ninth Armj' Corps, and was engaged in numerous 
battles. After joining with his regiment the 
Army of the Tennessee, our subject participated 
in the siege of Vicksburg, from there proceeded 
over the Cumberland Jlountains to Knoxville, 
where he took part in the siege of that city, and 
later engaged in the battle at Campbell Station. 
Mr. Huntoon also fought with gallantrj- at Straw- 
berry Plains and afterward went to Annapolis, 
Md., and was attached to the Army of Mrginia. 
Later, taking an active part in the Virginia cam- 
paign, he was engaged in the Battle of the Wil- 
derness, Spottsylvania Court House and Cold 
Harbor. Upon the 17th of June wounded in the 
right hip at the first charge of Petersburgh, Mr. 
Iluntoon was removed to the Ilarwood Hospital in 
Washington, D. C, where he remained until fully 
recovered, in November, 1864. Returning to the 
arm}% our subject was immediately engaged in the 
siege of Petersburgh and was with his regiment 
among the victorious forces when the city was 
captured. The fight of Appomattox Court House, 
Va., where Gen. Lee was captured, completed 
the battlefield ex|)eriences of Mr. Huntoon, who 
with his comrades returned to Washington and 
became one of the guards of Surratt and Herod, 
and was likewise one of the guards upon the day 
of the execution of Mrs. Surratt and her compan- 
ions. On the veiy same day our subject returned 
home and was mustered out of the service at De- 
troit, Mich., August 5, 1865, after serving two 
j'ears and nine months. Mr. Huntoon was five 
times wounded, but only once seriously. 

On again entering upon the evei'3'day work of 
life, our subject worked on shares his father's farm 
for two years, later purcliasing forty acres of land 
in Ingham County. He also received employment 
in a lumber-mill for three years, and for two and 
a-half years handled a large contract for wood- 
hauling. In 1876, Mr. Huntoon removed to Mus- 
kegon County, where he homestoaded one hundred 
and sixt3' acres of land in Ilolton Township. He 
improved a greater part of the land and continued 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAl'IilCAL RECORD. 



333 



to reside there until 1884. when he purchased liis 
present home, a fine properly of one iiundred and 
sixty acres, sixty-flve acres then being under cul- 
tivation. One hundred and ten acres now yield 
an abundant harvest, and seven acres of orchard 
are devoted to the culture of peaches, two .lores to 
apple.s, one acre to i)lunis and a large area is de- 
voted to strawberries and raspberries. December 
24, 1865. were united in marriage Is.aac F. Iliin- 
toon and Miss Malvinu Landfair, of liiL!:liaiii 
County, and daughter of Welcome 1). and .Mary 
(Clark) Landfall'. I'nto the union of our subject 
and his estimable wife were liorn seven children: 
James N.; .1. Wiliard, of .South Dakota; .lohn W., 
of Menominee, Mich.; Isaac K., Edward H., VA- 
nora .1. and Flora 15. November 21), 1887, Mrs. 
Huntoon, deeply mourned, p.issed awjiy. .She was 
thirty-nine j-ears of age and had long been a de- 
vout member of the Congregational CIiulcIi. In 
1890, our subject v.-edded Miss Bertha Anderson, a 
native of Norway and a daughter of Andrew An- 
derson. Mr. and Mrs. Ilunloon are the parents of 
one son, Samuel J. Fraternally, our subject is a 
member of Oahlgren Post No. 149, G. A. R., and 
politically a Republican has held with etlicient dis- 
charge of trusts involved the ollices of Township 
Commissioner and Township Clerk, and is widely 
known as a citizen of sterling integrity of char- 
acter. 







VAili \'YN. No better class of citizens 
has come to Ottawa County. Mich., than 
those who emigrated from Holland, and 
none have contributed more to the growth 
and dcvclDpment of this countr}' than tho.se of 
that nativity, for they brought as their inheritance 
the traits of character and life which have ever 
distinguished them. The A'yn family is of Dutch 
origin, and the first branch of the family to take 
root upon American soil was the original of this 
notice. Nearly fifty years of his life have been 
passed on tliij side of the Atlantic, and nearly all 
that time has been passed in Grand Haven, Mich., 



where he ij one of the prominent I'apitalists, as 
well as one of the most worthy and upright citi- 
zens. 

Mr. ^'yn was born <ui the l.")lli of .lanuarv. IH.'U, 
and his i>arcMt.s, Nicholas and Frankie (Spiker) 
Vyn, were natives also of the Netherlands. Three 
of the children born to this worthy couple grew 
to mature years, and our subject is secon<l in order 
of birth. The latter received a fair education in 
his native country, but when only si.xteen years of 
age decided lo come to America. He took passage 
on a vessel and reached Baltimore, Md., on the 
12th of June, 1847. Vvom there he came direct 
to Kalamazoo, .Mich., and, as his money was getting 
low, he worked at odd jobs for a year. He then 
went to (irand Haven, where he worked at what- 
ever honorable enipli)yment he could lind, and a? 
he saved every dollar, he had soon accumulated 
sutlicient means to invest in the sawmill business. 
This he continued for about eight years and then 
began teaming. Eater he embarked in tlie transfer 
business, and this he h;is continued steadily up to 
the present time, with the help of hissous. Twenty- 
horses are used in this business, and in connection 
Mr. A'yn also keeps a brick and wood yard, the 
brick being the noted Zeeland manuf.aclure. The 
wood he handles Iw the thousand-cord lots. 

Mr. Vyn believes the way to succeed in life is 
to engage in some honorable l)usine.ss and then to 
stick to it. Sooner or later, with good manage- 
ment, the best results will be obtained. As his 
business increased, he made judicious investments 
and has accumulated a handsome fortune. He 
still gives his personal attention to much of his 
business, for he is well |>reserved in body and 
mind. In the year 18;')2 Mr. \'yn was wedded to 
Miss Clara Troost, a native of l<rand Haven and 
daughter of Lambert Troost. .Six children have 
l)een born to this union, five sons and one daugh- 
ter. The sons are: Nicholas, in business with his fa- 
ther; Albert, Lambert, Martin and John. .Mr. Vyn 
has been connected with some of the most nourish- 
ing institutions of (Ir.'nid Haven, and was Presi- 
dent of the (irand Haven Leather Company- for 
six years. He is still Vice-President of the .same. 
In politics he is a stanch Republican. Our subject 
commenced his cjirecr in this country with a 



334 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



capital of $3.50, and all be has accumulated is the 
result of industry, economy and good management 
on his part. He is now one of the \ve.alth\- men of 
the city, is public spirited and enterprising and is 
well posted on all the current topics of the day. 
His high reputation and material prosperity came 
as the reward of unusual abilities, industriously 
applied, and he is esteemed by all. 



S^^ ARTIN RYER80N, an enterprising and 
I iW prosperous farmer located in Cedar Creek 
J IB Township, near Holton, Muskegon County, 
^ Mich., is a native of the State of New 

York, and was born April 20, 1840. Mr. Ryerson 
was the third child of the five little ones who 
blessed the home of Richard and .Sarah (Acker- 
man) Ryerson, who were natives of New Jersey 
and New York State, respectively, and of German 
ancestry. The father came with his family to 
Michigan in 1844, and for a short time settled in 
Muskegon, later locating in wliat is now Newaygo 
Couutj'. He engaged in tlie lumbering business, 
and also kept tlie first hotel at the " Dam," now 
known as Ryerson 's Hills farm. The brother of 
Richard Ryerson emigiated to the Wolverine 
State many years before the father of our subject, 
and was one of the early Indian traders. The 
father after a time removed to Kenosha, Wis., 
and there devoted his time to contracting and 
carpenlei work. He continued in the latter em- 
ployment seven yeais, and then returned to Mus- 
kegon, where he conducted the hotel business 
for the three succeeding years. He also engaged 
with success in the grocery business, and after a 
long life of busy usefulness now makes his home 
in Newaygo County with a son. Twice married, 
the mother of our subject was his first wife, and 
bore him these sons and daughters : Jane, wife of 
John Hepp, of Muskegon ; Maria, widow of Henry 
Moth ; Martin, our subject; and Libbie, wife of 
George Dohs, of Tioga County, N. Y. 



Mrs. Sarah (Ackerman) R^'erson passed away 
deeply mourned in 1848. Siie was a member of 
the Congregational Church and a \voraan of most 
exemplary character, beloved by all who knew 
her. In 1849, the father, wedding a second time, 
was united in marriage with Miss Maria Gardineer, 
of New York. To this union were born seven 
children, one of whom died unmarried. The 
eldest, Sarah, is deceased; Mary is the wife of 
Arthur Severy, of Muskegon County; Charles was 
the third in order of birth ; Ida married John 
Martin, of New Mexico; George when last heard 
of was in Montana; Annie is deceased; and Annie, 
the second of the name, is married to Thomas 
Berry, of Chicago. Our subject attended the 
district schools of Muskegon and Wisconsin and 
at eighteen j'eai-s moved with his father to a farm, 
and entered with energy into the tilling of the 
soil. Continuing upon the old homestead, which he 
has now owned for twenty-one years, Mr. Ryerson 
there began life for himself immediately after at- 
taining his majority, but during his twenty- 
fourth 3'ear went to Muskegon and worked as 
foreman in a lumber-mill for Tunis Ryerson three 
years. The succeeding two years he successfully 
logged on the Muskegon River, but finally de- 
cided to make farming the vocation of his life 
and, purcliasing eighty acres of his father's home- 
stead, settled down to the dail^' pursuit of agri- 
cultural duties. His highly- cultivated land is 
well improved with excellent buildings and is one 
of the most attractive farms in that locality. 

Making a specialty of sheep raising, our subject 
breeds, for the mutton only, the coarse- wooled 
variety. He has made a success of general farm- 
ing, his abundant harvest annually yielding him 
excellent returns for the time and labor expended. 
In 1867 Martin Ryerson and Miss Delia J. Wil- 
son, of Montcalm County, Mich., were united in 
marriage. Mrs. Ryerson was the daughter of Mr. 
and Mrs. D. A. W^ilson, who reared a family of 
seven children. Delia, the estimable wife of our 
subject, was the eldest; Otis lives in Montcalm 
County'; Alice is the wife of P. Holcomb; George 
resides in Oregon; Jerome is deceased; Nora is the 
wife of Charles Mattison, of Oregon; and Bert 
makes his home in Montcalm Count}'. Mr. and 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



835 



Mrs. Rycrson have two children, Louis M. and 
Minnie M.. both at home. Beginning life without 
capital, our subject had b\' unvarying industry 
acquired one hundred and twenty acres of land 
and a modest amount of ready money prior to Ins 
marriage, his course from early manhood leading 
upward to the comlortable competence now 
shared liv himself and family. Mr. Ryerson is 
fraternally connected with the (Irange, and is 
also a member of the Knights of the Maccabees. 
Politically, he is a strong Republican, deeply in- 
terested in both local and national issues, and is 
widely known as a liberal-spirited and progressive 
citizen. 







IDWIN MAYWARD, a prominont land-own- 
er residing in Cascnovia, was born in the 
village of Farmington, Ontario County, N. 
He represents a well-known Eastern family, 
whose members have been ])rominent both in mili- 
tary and civic life. His paternal grandfather, 
Stephen Hayward, was born near Boston, ALass., 
and at the age of lifteen years, with his father and 
brother, participated in the battles of Lexington 
and Bunker Hill. Of the three who marched forth 
to battle for the Colonies, he alone returned, his 
father having been killed in the engagement at 
(Jermantown, and his brotherat Saratoga. At the 
close of the war he removed to Ontario County, 
N. Y., where he entered and improved two hun- 
dred acres, making his home upon the place until 
his death, whicli oocuncd in 18;i(!, at the age of 
eighth-four. 

In the family of (irandfatlicr ll.ayward there 
were five sons and four daughters, who grew to 
maturity, viz.: Henry, Theodore, Elisha, Halla- 
w.ay, Ormand, Betsey, Lucy, Hannah and Xancj-, 
all of whom reared families with the exception of 
the daughter Betsey. The father of our subject, 
Capt. Ormand Hayward, was born near Boston, 
Mass., and accompanied his father to New York, 
remaining for a time in Ontario County. Later 



he removed to Niagara County, the same State, 
where he acquired the ownership of forty acres. 
In his old age he an<l his wife came to Michigan, 
and made their home with our subject until his 
death, in 1S82, at the age of eighty- two. Ilis wife 
passed aw.ay at Kendall ville, Ind., at the age of 
eighty-nine years, and her remains were brought 
to Michigan for interment. She was a devoted 
member of the Christian Church, and a lady of 
noble character, whose memory is revered in the 
hearts of her children. A Democrat during his 
entire life, Capt. Hayward won his title by his 
service during the War of 1812. 

The lady who became the wife of Capt. Hay- 
ward was Sarah B., daughter of George B. Gaskill, 
a farmer who for many j-ears resided in Lockport, 
N. Y., and there died. Mrs. Hayward was born in 
Rutland, VI., and was one of a family of three 
sons and four daughters. By her marriage she 
became the mother of four sons .and three daugh- 
ters: Dorinda, Franklin, Edwin, Sarah, Sabra, John 
and Montgonier3', all of whom are now living. 
The subject of this sketch was reared in Ontario 
County, N. Y., until he was a lad of nine years, 
when he accompanied his parents to Lockport, and 
there grew to manhood. When fourteen years old, 
he commenced to earn his own support, and for 
eighteen months resided in Canada. Thence he 
proceeded to Ohio, and from there in 1842 came to 
Michigan, settling in F^aton Rapids and following 
his trade of a cooper at that place. In the fall of 
1813 he traveled by canoe down the Grand River, 
and after seven days and nights spent on the 
water he reached the village of Portland, the first 
white settlement he had passed during the entire 
voj'age. Upon arriving at the mouth of the Flat 
River, he wa.s too sick to travel further, and was 
obliged to rest for a few d.ays. For one year he 
worked at his trade in that vicinitj-, and thence, 
in the fall of 1814, proceeded via the Indian trail 
to Newaygo, Mich., where for seven years he op- 
erated a mill for John A. Brooks. 

Afterward Mr. Hayward entered into the mill- 
ing business and conducted a mill on the Rogue 
River. Upon disposing of that property he built 
a mill at Rockford, Kent County, whic^h he op- 
erated until, in the panic of 1857, he lost every- 



336 



PORTRAIT AiSTD BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



thing he liad made. In the fall of the same year 
he located on one hundred and sixty acres, com- 
prised in his present farm in Casenovia Townshi[). 
In addition to this estate, he is the owner of two 
hundred acres, winch lie h.as cleared and improved 
witli substantial buildings. He is also the owner 
of a line fish pond. In 1861 he purchased a mill 
at Casenovia, which for a number of years he con- 
tinued to manage. Then, in company with a 
brother, he built a mill at Moon Lake, which he 
operated for eiglit years. During the year 1877 
he went to Buffalo. N. Dak., where he resided for 
five yeais, returning thence to Casenovia. He is 
the owner of four thousand acres in Arkansas 
County, Ark., and lias jjhiUed the village known 
as Grand Cyprus. 

Mr. Hay ward has been twice man led. his first 
wife being Mary, daughter of Brighain Petlengill, 
a lumberman lesiding in Michigan. The second 
wife of Mr. Hayward was Alice, daughter of Minor 
Joliiison. The first union was childless; the sec- 
ond marriage has resulted in thebirlli of four chil- 
dren: Edward, Clara, Bernie and Hunter. In his 
political affiliations, our subject is independent, 
voting for the best men and the best principles, 
irrespective of party- ties. 



^jERRlT .1. DIEKEMA is a prominent at- 
g— toriiey, who has met with marked success in 
the practice of his chosen profession. lie 
h.as a decided veneration for the law, and this, 
combined with the accuracy of his legal knowl- 
edge, lucidity of statement and felicity of illustfii- 
tion, has given him the confidence of all his pat- 
ron-. He was born at Holland, Midi., March 27, 
185J, a son of W. Diekema, and was reared and 
educated in the town of his birth, receiving the 
advantages of the common schools. In 1873, in 
order to more fully fit himself for the duties of 
life, he entered Hope College, in which he look a 
full classical course, graduating in 1881. Imme- 
diately thereafter he began the study of law in 



the law department of the State Universit}' of 
Michigan, at Ann Arbor, and was graduated there- 
from two years later. He immediately hung out 
his shingle at Holland, his old home, and unlike 
the majority of young lawyers he had not long 
to wail for clients, but at once entered upon an 
active legal practice, which has continued to grow 
in volume until he now h.as all the work he can 
proiierly attend to. He is at all times' faithful to 
the interests of his clients, reads up his cases thor- 
oughly', and is consequently never caught unpre- 
pared. 

In 1885 our subject was iiniterl in marriage with 
Mi.ss Mary Alcott, daughter of Joseph Alcott, a 
resident of Illinois, and to their union a family of 
three children has been born: Marguerite, Mary 
and Willis. Mr. Diekema, his wife and children 
are regular attendants of the Reformed Church of 
America, and are among the most highly respected 
citizens of Holland. Politicall}', the Republican 
party has always recommended itself to the excel- 
lent judgment of Mr. Diekema, and in 1884 he 
was elected b}- that party to the position of Super- 
intendent of Schools, which office he filled for two 
years. In 1885 his party further showed its ap- 
preciation of his mental powers and patriotism and 
his desire for the good of his section by electing 
him to the State Legislature, and this position he 
filled with distinguished ability for eight years. 

In Uiesessionof 1889-90, our subject was Speak- 
er of the House of Representatives, and presided 
with great judgment and wisdom in this resiionsi- 
ble and trying position. He was ai able legisla- 
tor, and while serving his constituents in this ca- 
pacity did much good for his own section, and 
was by no means indifferent to the welfare of 
other [lortions of the State. He is usually on the 
Conimittoe of Resolutions in the Stale Conven- 
tions of the Republican party, and In all the con- 
ventions of his county he is a le.ader. In 1892 he 
was honored by receiving the nomination for At- 
torney-General of the State by his Republican 
friends, and at the election had for his opponent 
Mr. Ellis, who was the nominee on the Democratic 
and the People's ticket, and owing to this Mr. 
Diekema was defeated, though he received one 
thousand more votes ih.in the Republican candidate 



i>URTRAIT AND BlOGRAl'lllCAL RECORD. 



337 



for Governor, who was elected by thirty thousand 
majority. I lis careor in tlie poiilit-al arena has 
been one of honor, and he is no less distinguislied 
as a lawyer, for he is a forcible, eloquent and con- 
vincing speaker, logical in his reasoning and al- 
ways deeply in earnest. 

Mr. Diekema is one of the Directors of the First 
State Hank of Holland, and as he h.is always been 
interested in tlie cause of education, he was con- 
sidered a suitable man to be a member of the Coun- 
cil of Hope Colk'ge of the city of Holland. lie is 
the present City Attorney of his town, and as a 
legal practitioner docs one of the largest businesses 
in the Stale, his practice being very large and 
remunerative. In i)ersonal appearance he is [ire- 
possessing, in manners he is very popular in the 
social circles of his section. lie is one of the ris- 
ing lawyers of the .State, and will willioul doubt, 
ere many years p.iss over his head, stand among 
the eminent men of the country. 



UKE LUGERS, bookkeeper for H. L. Scott's 
3f. lumber business and planing mill at llol- 
\,' land, Ottavva County, Midi., was horn in 
Allegan County, Mich., on the 2d of February, 
1853, and is a young man of superior ability. 
His father, Benjamin Lugers, was born in Holland, 
and was there reared and educated. Being a 
carpenter by trade, the faliier thought to belter 
his condition financially by coining to the United 
States, and in 1818 crossed the ocean. He de- 
cided to locate in one of the northern tier of 
Stales, and Michigan was the one cliosen. He 
settled in Allegan County, entered a tract of 
Government land, all wild, and began improving 
and clearing off the heavy timber. To the original 
tract he has since added foity acres, making eighty 
acres of excellent land. Like all the native Hol- 
landers, he was thrifty and industrious, and suc- 
ceeded in accumulating con.sideiable iiieans. Ik- 
was married in this coiintv to Miss Henrietta 



Bnnknian, daughter of Henry Brinkman. and 
six children were born to this union, five of 
whom are still living: Henry, residing in Allegan 
County; Fanny, Mrs. Denuyl, of this county; Mrs. 
Van Zanten, who resides in this county; Ben- 
jamin, residing on the old home place; and our 
subject. Hannah, died at the age of twenty-eight 
years. 

The parents of the above-mentioned childjen 
are still living and are much esteemed residents 
of Allegan C<junty. The father is a member of 
the Reformed Church and is an active worker in 
the same. His son Luke, the subject of this 
sketch, was reared in Allegan County, Mich., and 
secured a good practical education in the district 
schools. Later he attended the Normal School at 
Otsego and Way hind, in Allegan County, and sub- 
sequently began teaching school, continuing this 
for seventeen years in that county, and nine years 
in the same school. He was unusually successful 
in lliat profession and was cl.assed among the best 
educators of the county. On account of poor 
lieallii he was obliged to leave the school, and in 
1887 he came to Holland, where he accepted the 
position he now holds. He h.as discharged the 
duties of Ills position in a very capable and ellici- 
ent manner and is an exceptionally well-informed 
iiinii. 

Thi' liajipy domestic life of our subject began in 
the year 1878, when he was married to Miss Lu- 
cretia Anna ICUenboss, whose father was a native 
of Holland, l)ut came to this country in the 
year 1847 or 1818. Mr. Kllenboss was one of 
the pioneers of this county and assisted in clear- 
ing the wilderness and making possible the 
pleasant homes of to-day. To Mr. and Mrs. 
Lugers weie born tliiec children, as follows: 
Benjamin .lames, (ieorgiana Helena and Henrietta 
Lucretia. Politically, Mr. Lugers is a Republican, 
and after he w.as twenty-one years of age he was 
elected to the ollice of .luslice of the I'eace, which 
position he lilled in a very satisfactory manner for 
ten or twelve years. He was then elected Town- 
ship Clerk, and held that position one year, after 
which he was elected Supervisor and was the in- 
cumbent of that office until he moved to (_)ttawa 
County, a period of five years. He was .School In- 



338 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAIHICAL RECORD. 



X 



f^ 



spector a number of ^-ears while residing in Allegan 
County, hi the spring of 18^;? lie was made Super- 
visor of Holland Township, this county, being 
elected by a majority of one hundred and forty- 
three votes, lie is a nieinber of the Reformed 
Church in Allegan C'ounty and is a Deacon of the 
church. He has been Superintendent of the .Sunday- 
school and teacher in the same for many years, and 
is well posted on all liiblical subjects. He owns 
twenty-eight acres where he lives and two houses 
in Iloliand, but neaily all liis time is given to the 
duties of his ottice. Mr. Lugers was reared in 
the woods and has witnessed the growth and im- 
provement f>f the country in the last twenty 
years. He remembers when deer were plentiful 
and when Indians were seen almost every da}'. 



:f===-l^-^^P= 



M. DARLING, who resides on section 24, 
IIoll(.)ii Township, Muskegon Count}', where 
he eariies on agricultural pursuits, is a na- 
tive of the Green Mountain State. He was born 
in Franklin County in 1833, and is a son of Ar- 
nold and Rebecca (iSIarriaii) Darling. The father 
was born in Vermont in 1807, and throughout 
his entire life followed the occupation of farming. 
From his youth he made his own way in the 
woi Id, and therefore deserves great credit (or his 
suce-is. After arriving at mature years he was 
mariied, and by the union three children were 
boi-;i: D. M., Sarah and Rebecca. When our sub- 
ject was six years of age the mother of this fam- 
ily died, and Mr. Darling was again married, his 
secuu.l union being with Sarah Preston, b}- whom 
he h id one child. After her death he wedded 
Jane Chase, and six children were born of the 
third union. 

At quite an early age the subject of this sketch 
began to earn his own livelihood. He worked 
on a farm in order to get a few clothes, and then 
went to school, desiiiiig, if possible, to acquire a 
good English education. When about sixteen 
years of .age he learned the carpenter's and stone- 



mason's trades, and, in connection with work in 
those lines, he also engaged in moving buildings. 
To some extent he continued his lab<jrs as a farm 
hand, and, in f.act, followed any honorable pur- 
suit that offered, vvhereby he might earn a liveli- 
hood. " 

As a companion and helpmate on life's journey, 
y\x. Darling chose Miss Alniire Preston, and unto 
them were born two children, who are 3et living: 
Harlon, who married Sophia Hegstrun ; and Nancy, 
wife (jf Charles Anderson. The mother of this 
family died after the removal to Michigan, and 
for his second wife Mr. Darling chose Miss Mary 
A. Snow, daughter of Turner and Rachel Snow. 
Their union has lieen blessed with two daughteis: 
Mildred and Hester. 

In 1856 Mr. Darling emigrated Westward and 
settled in Vernon, Wis., where he accepted a po- 
sition as overseer of a large farm. He there re- 
mained until 1863, when he came to Muskegon 
County and settled on laud belonging to the 
Indians. Purchasing eighty acres which were still 
in their primitive condition, he began lumbering, 
selling large quantities of timber from Ins place. 
He has also worked at the carpenter's trade to a 
considerable extent in Muskegon County, but now 
devotes his energies exclusively to agricultural 
IHirsuits. The buildings upon the place are all 
monuments to his handiwork, having been erected 
b}' him, and the other improvements upon the 
farm are witnesses of his thrift and enterprise. 

In politics Mr. Darling is a suppcjrter of the 
Republican party, and is now serving as Drainage 
Commissioner. He holds membership with the 
Grange, and belongs to Dahlgren Post No. 149, 
G. A. R., of Ilolton, for he was one of the hon- 
ored boys in blue of the late war. He entered 
the service in 1864, and was assigned to Com[)any 
G, Kighth Michigan Infantry, under Gen. Burn- 
side. He participiited in the capture of Peters- 
burg and Ft. Stedman. He received a flesh wound, 
being struck by a spent ball, but was never off 
duty until after the close of the war. He was 
present at Lee's surrender, and was in the front 
ranks when the army marched between. In .July, 
186;'), he was honorably discharged in Washing- 
ton, D. C, and sent to Detroit, where he was paid 



^ 
\ 



PORTILVIT a:sD JilGGKAl'lllCAL KECORD. 



341 



off. He participated in tlie Orand Kcvicw in the 
Citpil<>l City, one of the most celehniled military 
pageants in history, where wave after wave of 
bayonet-crested Miie passed by the reviewing 
stand and elieer after cheer arose in honor of the 
victorious troops. 






.' I OHX ANYS. The farming and stock-rais- 
ing affairs of Ottawa County, and par- 
ticularly- of Olive Township, are ably rep- 
resented by .John Anys, who is a de- 
scendant of thrifty Holland stock, and has in- 
herited all the energy and perseverance of those 
of that nativity. His life of industry and use- 
fulness, and his record for honesty and uprightness, 
have given him an influence in the community 
which all might well desire to shaie. He was 
born in the province of Gelderland, in the city of 
Lochem, in the Netherlands, October 7, 1829. 
His parents, Garrett H. and Sarali (Hellweits) 
Anys, were of (ierraan origin. 

The original of this notice received liis schol- 
astic advantages in liis native country, and there 
remained until 1802, when he sailed for America. 
Landing in the City of New York, he followed 
farming and carpentering until tiie l)reaking out 
of the Civil War, when he shouldered arras to 
fight for his adopted country. At this time he 
was residing in New .lerscy. and on the 5th of 
January, 1864, he enlisted in Con)pan3' I, Thirty- 
third New Jersey Infantry. He served with Gen. 
Hooker's corps and was with (Jen. Sherman in his 
march to the sea, everywhere bravely figiiting for 
the Old Flag. He participated in the battles of 
Mills Spring, Hcsaca, Home, Altoona, I'ine Knob, 
and Muddy Creek. He was taken sick .soon after 
the last-named engagement and did not see any 
more service, being discharged in Washington, 
D. C, in August, 186."). For some time he was 
confined in the hospital in New Albanj', and a 
long period elapsed ere he regained his accustomed 
health. 



Returning to New Jersey after the war, Mr. Anys 
there lived until the latter part of 186,"), wlien he 
moved to Chicago, then a city of about one hundred 
and sixty thousand inhabitants. As soon .as his 
health would permit, he engaged in car|)entering, 
making his home in that place for several years, 
and serving on the police force for some time. 
In 1879 lie located upon the farm he now occupies, 
which consisted then of eighty acres of unim- 
proved land. He engaged actively in the im- 
provement of his farm, and now has twenty-five 
acres cleared of the heavy timber with which it 
was covered. Aside from his fanning industry, 
he has been interested in other occupatic)ns, and 
since 1890 has engaged in sawinilling; he supplies 
a large amount of lumber to tlie surrounding 
country, only himself and his four sons being 
engaged in this occupation. He is a man who, 
throughout his whole life, h.as maintained a high 
character for integrity and uprightness, and who 
has the confidence and respect of all his ac- 
quaintances. 

Mr. Anys selected his wife i;i tiie person of 
Miss Nellie Uruii, a native of Holland and the 
daughter of Paul and Catherine (Wright) Brun. 
also natives of that country. Their union was 
solemnized in 1857 and resulted in the birth of 
nine children, three of whom died when young. 
The others were .as follows: G. H., of Chica- 
go; Pauline, wife of F. C. Marsac, of Hickman, 
Ky.; William, Cliarles, Abram and Martin. Mr. 
Anys i.s a member of Van Rota Post No. 662, 
G. A. K., and an enthusiastic supporter of all 
public enterprises. 



■f^^ AMIEI. 15UONKK. Among the industri- 
'^Nii^, ous farmers of Fruitland Township is he 
of whom we write, whose birth occurred 
in the southern part of Sweden, July 16. 
18.'}6. His fertile farm, situated on section 13, came 
into his possession in 1860. At that time very 
little had been done for the improvement of this 



342 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



county, which was heavily timbered. There were 
few roads and traveling was very difficult. The 
timber on our subject's place was mostly hard- 
wood, and therefore possessed unusual value. He 
has brought his farm to a high state of improve- 
ment, and has himself cleared the greater portion 
of it. 

Tiie boyhood days of our subject were passed 
in his native land, where he resided unlil he had 
reached his eighteen tli year. As his father was a 
man of considerable means, he gave to his children 
good advantages. Mr. Broner received a good 
education and graduated from one of the higher 
schools. His father was at one time the owner of 
a large tract of land, consisting of over seven hun- 
dred acres. He held various official position dur- 
ing his lifetime and was a Deacon in the Lutheran 
Church. He reached the ripe old age of eighty- 
four j'ears, while his wife, whose maiden name was 
Olie Oleson, departed this life at the age of sixty- 
four. Their family comprised eleven children, 
four of whom died in childhood. The eldest of 
the family, iSven, is deceased. .James is still a resi- 
dent of Sweden, as is also the next younger, John, 
and the youngest of the family, .Johanna. Olif 
lives in California. Louis is deceased, and Samuel 
is the subject of this sketch. 

On arriving at his eighteenth year, Samuel 
Broner bade adieu to his many friends and rela- 
tives in the land of his nativity, to seek his for- 
tune in the New World. He started forth on a 
sailing-vessel, the "Cambia," and at the end of 
seven weeks on the Atlantic, during which time 
the vessel encountered three very severe storms, 
tliey arrived safely in New York City. He at 
once proceeded to St. Louis, wliere he met a brother 
who had come to this country two years previ- 
ously. The latter had changed his name to Broner, 
which our subject also adopted. For six months 
Samuel Broner worked at the furniture trade in 
St. Louis, after which lie went to Chicago, in 
1855, he arrived in Michigan, near the present 
site of Wliitehall. The country was tiien sjjarsely 
settled Willi white peo))le and bore little promise 
of the great and prosperous future before it. For 
a few months our subject worked at various em- 
ployments in order to obtain a livelihood, and then 



entered one hundred and sixty acres of land from 
the Government. For some time he engaged in log- 
ging, or up to the time when he became the owner 
of a farm of eighty acres. This property he is still 
engaged in cultivating. 

In this county Mr. Broner was united in mar- 
riage with Miss Caroline Reamer, whose birth oc- 
curred in Milwaukee, Wis. Her parents, Ferdi- 
nand and Mary (Winters) Reamer, are natives of 
Germany. Seven children were born to this union 
of Mr. and Mrs. Broner. Three of the number 
died in infancy. .John O.. the eldest of the family, 
was born in 186.">. Edward W. was called from this 
life when he had reached his majority. Alvena, 
who was born in 187;'). and Chester complete the 
famil}-. 

Mr. Broner is an ardent supporter of the Repub- 
lican party and is alwa3's to be found in the front 
rank of all enterprises tending to benefit the im- 
mediate community and the country at large. He 
is industrious and energetic and has ever been 
honorable and just in his dealings with his fellow- 
men. He still clings to the faith of his fathers 
and is a member of the Lutheran Church, which 
he has attended from boyhood. He is a self-made 
man, having carved out his own fortune, and hav- 
ing reached his present prosperity entirely through 
his own unaided efforts. 



^-^ 


* — * — ♦ 


,,'■ 


/' 




'^ 







*1 MLLIAM B. CIHTTENDEN, a successful 
\/\/i fruit-grower and general farmer of Ottawa 
y/\fl County, and a prominent citizen of Crock- 
er}' Township, was born in the town of Dix, Che- 
mung County, N. Y., November 7, 1850. He traces 
his ancestry to Vermont, where his paternal grand- 
parents, Samuel and Sarah (Hodges) Chittenden, 
were born, and whence, soon after the War of 1812, 
they removed to Geauga County, Ohio. There 
he followed agricultural pursuits until his death. 
His wife passed away while residing in New York. 
The father of our subject, Benjamin F. Chitten- 



PORTli<UT AND BIOGKAFIIICAL ItECOliD. 



34d 



den. was born in fJeausra County, Oliio. Novtmber 
7, 181H. In 18,")G he eanie from (ieni'va. X. Y., to 
Ottawa County. Mii'li.. wlicrc lie resided until 
1863, renu)ving tlionee lo Wtsconsin, and spending 
tine year in that State. lie tlien returned to 
Michigan, and now makes his home upon llie farm 
whieli lio purchased in 186(), and wliieli, througli 
his tireless exertions, has been cleared and eon- 
verted into one of the best farms in the township. 
In former years he was employed in sawmills, but 
for seveial ^ears he has given liis undivided atten- 
tion to agricultural pui-suits. His wife bore the 
maiden name of Abigail T. Woodruff, and is still 
living, being well [jreservcd and strong in s|)ite 
of advancing jears. 

Of a family of eight children, four of whom are 
now living, the subject of this notice is second in 
order of birth. At the age of six years he was 
brought liy his jiarents to Michigan, and grew to 
manhood in Ottawa County, receiving his educa- 
tion in the district schools near his father's iioine. 
He resided with iiis parents until his marriage, 
September 3, 1877, when he was united with Miss 
Julia, daughter of Andrew J. Hale, and a native 
of Kenosha, Wis. Five sons and two daughters 
have blessed this union, as follows: .\rthur L., 
Kminons C, William B., Manley, Flovd, .Vita (de- 
ceased) and Emma. 

In all local matters pertaining to the welfare of 
the community, Mr. Chittenden is interested, not 
passively, but in an active manner, aiding them 
with his time, money and intluence to the fullest 
extent possible. His first Presidential ballot was 
cast for Oeii. I'lysses .S. Grant, and at e.acii recur- 
ring national election he h.as taken pleasure in 
depositing his vote in the interest of the Republi- 
can party. He is a member of the .School Board 
of his district, and through his interest in educa- 
tional matters has been enabled to promote the 
cause of public schools and the standard of educa- 
tion very materially. 

Kor ten consecutive seasons Mr. Chittenden and 
his brother Kugenc have owned and operated a 
thresliing-m.achine, and as thej- are thoroughly 
competent their services are in constant demand 
during harvest. 'I'iiey have recently purcha.sed 
their third ni.achine, and expect lo continue to 



make this business one of their specialties. In 
1881 our subject purchased the forty acres where 
he has since resided. At that time only fifteen 
acres had been cleared, but through his efforts the 
entire tract has been placed under line cultivation 
and improved with substantial buildings. 



JIEPKE DIEKEMA, the ellicient County 
Superintendent of the Poor of Ottawa 
iV?'^ County, Mich., and a prosperous general 
agriculturist residing upon section 31, Holland, 
Mich., has held many important public positions 
of trust, and was for eight years Highway Commis- 
sioner and for twenty consecutive years ably dis- 
charged the complex duties of Township Supervi- 
sor. Our subject is a native of the Netherlands, 
and was born in that fertile country in the year 
1830. His parents, Peter and Bouwena Dieke- 
ma, born in the Netherlands, were descendants 
of a long line of sturdy ancestry, who cultivated 
the land of the Old Country, and with frugal in- 
dustry won their w.ay up to comfort and prosper- 
ity. Peter w.as the son of Wiepke and Tartje Dieke- 
ma, and parents and grandparents were natives 
of the province of Groningen. The paternal and 
maternal ancestors of Mr. Diekema were prominent 
people, widely known and highly respected for 
their ability and upright character. The paternal 
grandfather was a large farmer, owning about two 
hundred acres of valuable land, upon which lie 
raised with prolit both grain and cattle. He lived 
to the advanced age of eighty-Hve years, and at the 
time of his death, in 1814, was wonderfully well 
preserved, having excellent teeth, white and lirm, 
and curly hair, and, live feet eight inches in 
stature, was a fine-looking man. 

The paternal grandfather, a man of more than 
ordinary inlluence in his locality, reared a fam- 
ily of eleven children, all of whom, with the 
exception ol the father of our subject, lived and 
died in their n.ative land. The father devoted 



344 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



his entire life to agricultural pursuits, and was 
both a renter and land-owner of tlie Old Countr3'. 
With his family lie emigrated to the United States 
in 1848, and having made a safe voyage did not 
tarry long in the East, but made his way directly 
to Michigan, where he bought twenty acres lo- 
cated in the dense woods of Ottawa County, and 
situated upon section 31, township of Holland. 
Cultivating the soil and improving the farm with 
good buildings, he lived to see most of the acres 
yielding an abundant annual harvest, and in the 
AVolverine State reared his family. The mother 
of Mr. Diekeraa was a widow when she married the 
father, and by her first husband, Walter Vos, had 
two daughters: Martha, aged seventy-eight, a 
resident of the Old Country'; and Catherine, 
widow of Marcus Nienhuis. The union of the 
father and mother was blessed by the birth of two 
children: AViepke, our subject; and Eilke, the wife 
of Paul Berghois, living one mile east of Holland. 
The parents were both devout members of the Re- 
formed Church and were active in good work. The 
father, politically a Republican, was well versed 
in the affairs of Government. He did not long 
survive middle life, passing awaj' in 1850, at 
fifty -seven years of age. The mother lived to 
reach the advanced age of four-score years and 
two, and peacefully entered into rest. 

Our subject in 1852 married Miss Hendrik- 
jen Stegeman, who was born in tlie Province 
of Overisel, in the Netherlands, the daughter 
of John and Hendrikjen Stegeman. The home 
of Mr. and Mrs. Diekema was brightened by the 
birth of eight intelligent children. Peter died 
in infancy; Henerika married .John Tencate; Peter 
died at the age of fifteen; G. J. was the fourth in 
order of birth; then follow Aldert, Bouwina, Al- 
bert and Martha. In 1852 our subject bought 
the eighty acres of land where he resides and to 
which he has added until he now owns one hun- 
dred and ten acres, formerly wild land, but all now 
under high cultivation and well improved with 
commodious and substantial buildings, which well 
attest the prosperity of the owner. Our subject 
and his estimable wife aie able members of the 
Reformed Church of Holland and are leaders in 
church work. Politically, Mr. Diekema is a Re- 



publican and has been since the war. Long iden- 
tified with matters of local welfare, he began his 
public career as a Roadmaster, being elected to 
the position in 1868. With fidelity discharging 
the duties assigned to him as Supervisor, Commis- 
sioner and Superintendent of the Poor, our sub- 
ject is also a Notary Public and by his official rec- 
ord and private life commands the high regard 
and confidence of all his fellow-citizens. 









\f( OHN A. THOMPSON. Among the citizens 
of Muskegon County who have made a 
success of their agricultural enterprises, 
nia^' be mentioned the name of Mr. Thomp- 
son, who conducts farming upon an extensive scale 
in Ravenna Township. He was born in this town- 
sliip.Tune 16, 1841, and is the son of .John and Ann 
(Hughes) Thompson, natives of Scotland, who 
were there born and reared. His father emigrated 
to America at the age of thirt\- 3-ears, preceding 
his family, and after landing came West to Illinois, 
where he worked as a laborer for a period of one 
and one-half j-eai'S. 

Having accumulated a sufficient sum of mone^' 
to pay the passage of his family to America, Mr. 
Thompson, Sr., wrote them to come, and upon 
their arrival he settled in Ravenna, Muskegon 
County, Mich., where he operated as a renter and 
engaged in farming pursuits. Later he purchased 
a farm, which he cultivated until his death, in 
1873. He and his wife were the parents of nine 
children, of whom four are now living, our sub- 
ject being the eldest of the surviving members of 
the family. He acquired his education in the 
schools of Ravenna Township, and during his va- 
cations worked on the home farm. 

At the age of twenty Mr. Thompson began to be 
self-sui)porting, and lias since conducted farming 
operations in this township, where he owns two 
hundred and sixty acres of arable land. On New 
Year's Day, 1874, he was united in marriage with 
Miss Mary Anderson, who was born in Ohio, being 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



345 



the daiiirliter of C'liarles and Sarah (Shaffer) Ander- 
son, born in Ohio and Pennsylvania, respectively. 
Mrs. Thompson is a had}' well fitted to assist her 
husband in all his enterprises, and not a little of the 
success he lias attained may be attributed to her 
cheerful counsel and co-operation. Thej' have been 
the parents of seven children, but have been called 
upon to part with three of their little ones. The 
surviving members of the family are Ma^', Jessie, 
Clyde and Ethel, all of whom reside with their 
parents. 

lu regard to social connections, Mr. Thomp- 
son is identitied with Hancock Tent, K. O. T. M., 
and Ravenna Lodge Mo. Sa.'J, I. O. O. F. He has 
represented his lodge in the Grand Lodge, and has 
been an incumbent of all the chairs of the order. 
He and his wife also belong to the Rebekah Lodge, 
I. O. O. F. In political relations, Mr. Thompson 
has always been a firm advocate of the principles 
of the Republican party, to the support of which 
his influence is invariably' given. He has served 
as Higlnv.ay Commissioner, and has represented 
the townsliip upon the County Hoard of Super- 
visors, being a member of the Committee on Equal- 
ization while filling the latter position. 



-^^ 



E^ 




ETEU A. DEWITT, the enterprising 
manager and principal stockholder of 
the Spring Lake liasket ^L^llu factory, of 
Spring Lake, Ottawa County, Mich., is 
widely known and highly respected as a man of 
more than ordinary business ability and energy. 
Horn in the village of Spring Lake, in the year 
1861, our subject h.as been from his earliest youth 
intimately' associated with the upward growth and 
progress of his home locality-. His parents, num- 
bered among the pioneer residents and prominent 
citizens of this ]jarl of the State, possessed the 
sincere regard of a large circle of friends, and took 
an active part in the early strugijlcs and sub- 
sequent development of the interests of their 
Western home. Mr. Dewitt received his educa- 



tion mainly in the district school of his birthplace, 
and also enjoyed the advantages of instruction in 
the drug business, being in time thoroughly quali- 
fied to engage in the trade successfully. He be- 
came, in fact, while yet young in years a thor- 
oughly practical druggist, and entered into busi- 
ness for himself with profitable results. He con- 
tinued to handle drugs until IH'Jl, and retained 
an interest in the same until 1892, when he sold 
out and gave his entire time and attention to the 
manufacture of fruit baskets. The Spring Lake 
Basket Manufactory has done business from its 
first estahlishinent, now supplying a number of 
counties of the State with its goods, and under its 
present able supervision cannot fail to continue 
a financial success. 

In the year 1883, Peter A. Duwitt and Miss 
Anna Stark were united in marriage. The esti- 
mable wife of onr subject, daughter of H. Stark, one 
of the honored pioneer settlers of Ottawa County, 
like her husband has grown up among her i)resent 
surroundings. Also educated in the home schools 
of .Spring Lake, she was well fitted to assume the 
responsibilities of married life when sli« joined 
• her fortunes with those of our subject, to whom 
she has been a faithful helpmate and companion. 
Two bright little sons, Leslie and Stuart, have 
blessed the happy home and will enjoy the advan- 
tages of an excellent education and a training 
which will enable them to worthil3' occupy any 
position of trust to which they may be called. Mr. 

I and Mrs. Dewitt fill a position of useful influence 
and take an active part in the good work and 
benevolent enterprises of Spring Lake and it.s near 
vicinity. 

Politically, our subject is a st.inch Democrat, and 

I since attaining his majority has been deeply in- 

' terested in both local and national issues. Pro- 
nounced in his views and possessed of executive 
ability, Mr. Dewitt has taken a leading position in 
the local councils of his party, and held with etUci- 
ency and to the great satisfaction of the entire 
community of Spring Lake the position of Post- 
master during the first administration of Presi- 
dent Cleveland. In all matters of interest to 
the general public of his locality our subject is ac- 

1 counted a public-spirited citizen, ever ready to do 



346 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPinCAL RECORD. 



his part in the promotion of enterprise and edu- 
cational advancement. Passing his mature years 
among the friends of a life-time, Mr. Dewitt re- 
ceives tiie confidence of all who know him, and is 
esteemed for his sterling integrity of character 
and thorough business etiiciencv. 



i^Ll^ 



'jf] D. MEI'NHARDI. M. D., an experienced 
physician and skillful druggist of White- 
hall, Muskegon Count}', Mich., is a native 
' of Eraden, in the province of Hanover, and 
was horn in the western part of the German Em- 
pire October 18, 1848. Dr. Meinhardi is the son 
of J.ames and Tedina (Lorentz) Meinhardi, who 
were botli likewise born in the province of Han- 
over. The paternal grandfather, D. .1. Meinhardi, 
was known as one of the most eminent surgeons of 
his day. The father, James, was also a noted 
physician, having the title of "Sanitatsrath," and, 
having been a member of the '-Kronenorden," 
was classed among the foremost pliysicians of 
his country. He amassed a large fortune, and 
died in his native land at the advanced age of 
niiietv-tliree, in October, 1892. Tedina Lorentz 
the mother of our subject, was the daughter of 
Judge Antone Lorentz, a man of high position in 
his locality. An uncle of Dr. Meinhardi's, also 
named Antone Lorentz, was a prominent lawyer 
and received the title of "Justiz-Rath." The mother 
passed away in her native land in 1891, aged sev- 
enty-eight 3'cars. Our subject was one of a family 
of thirteen children. Julia married Fritz Kopp, 
Secretary of the Circuit Courts of Emdeii, (ier- 
niany. Ella is the widow of Mr. Sanders, for 
years a clerk in the State Courts of Oslfriesland. 
Johann was a Lieutenant in the Sixth Infantry, 
in the Hanoverian army, and died during his term 
of service. Anna married Jacob Jacobs, Ober-Post 
Secretary at Ernden. Anton was an odicer in the 
German navy, and is a well-known sea-captain in 
the merchants' trade between Germany and Brit- 
ish ports. Rudolph is- a nicmber of the firm of 



Schreiber & Co., large stove manufacturers in 
Ostfriesland. This firm employs some five or six 
hundred men, and is a leading house of Germany. 
Karl is a wealthy tJerman farmer. George, a Lien- 
tenant in the Third German Hussar Cavalr}-, was 
killed while on duty b}' being thrown from his 
horse. Edmund is a prosperous agriculturist of 
Ostfriesland. Eduard was for many years Ad- 
ministrator of the Emperor's Drug Store, but is 
now a resident of Polsdam, and the owner of a 
large drug house. 

Our subject spent the early years of his life in 
his birthplace and received his j'outhful schooling 
in the gymnasium, and later studied at Aurich, 
where he was engaged with his books when, in 
October, 1869, he volunteered in the German 
army. Third Hussar Cavalry. At the end of one 
j-ear he passed a successful examination, and for 
meritorious conduct on the battlefield of Mars La- 
Tour, where he received a sabre thrust in the left 
shoulder, was given the Commission of a Lieuten- 
ant, and served as such with marked distinction 
on the field of war. Taking an active part in the 
struggle. Dr. Meinhardi remained in the army un- 
til peace was declared between France and German v. 

In the spring of 1872, our subject entered Fred- 
erick Willielm's College at Berlin, and was gradu- 
ated in 1874, receiving one year's credit for his 
service in the army. After passing one year as a 
])hysician on an ocean steamer, the Doctor came in 
the fall of 1875 to America, locating at first in 
^Milwaukee, Wis., where he practiced for six years, 
in 1881 removing to Montague, Mich. In the 
spring of 1893, our subject settled permanently in 
Whitehall, opening a drug store, but still contin- 
uing the practice of his profession. Since making 
his home in the United States, Dr. Meinhardi has 
several times visited his native land, having but 
recently returned from Germany, where he had 
been to assist in settling up his father's large es- 
tate, being an heir of the same to a goodly amount. 

In 1883 our subject was united in marri.age with 
Miss Amanda Molsberger, of JMilwaukee, whose 
father, Ilenricli Molsbeigei, was a civil engineer, 
then a resident of Milwaukee, but now a citizen of 
St. James, Neb. The family of Mrs. Meinhaidi 
came from Wildbad in the Black Forest of Ger- 



PORTRAIT AND BI<DGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



347 



nianv, and were anions: the liisrlily-esteemcd peo- 
ple of that (li!<tiic't. The aci'oinplislied wife of 
our Mibject received a thorough education, and 
occupies a liisrii social i)Osition. Four childicn 
have hlessed tlie union: Elsa, seven years old, in 
M.iy, 1893; Civsar James, six years old in August, 
1893: and Johanna, three years of age in JIarch, 
1893. George died in infancy. 

The Doctor, a thorough business man and a 
liighly successful medical practitioner, has always 
taken a very active |)art in (Mjlitics in the Demo- 
cratic party, and has held many of the local oflices 
in MontiJgue. He was also at one lime Deputy 
Game and Fish Warden for the State of Michigan. 
Our subject is a valued member of the Maccabees, 
and was a delegate to the .State (ireat Camp. Fi- 
nancially- prosiiered, and a man of line education 
and high attainments, Dr. Meinhardi occupies an 
honored position of useful inlluence. and is lankod 
among the leading physicians and prominent busi- 
ness men of Wliiteliall. 



.J^^>^^^^ 



I^-^^OMKR K. HUDSON, a prosperous farmer 
"^' residing on section 33, of Georgetown 
Township, Ottawa Count}-, has for a nuni- 

•3) her of years been closely identified with 
the agricultural interests of this section of the 
State. He is the son of William 1'. Hudson, a na- 
tive of Massachusetts, who followed the ti-ade of a 
mechanic until 18.5.'). He then located 011 a farm 
in the vicinity of Cleveland, Ohio, where his 
remaining years were passed. His marriage united 
him with .Miss Dclphia, daughter of A. S. Sliurwin, 
a Revolutionary hero, who in an early day 
removed from Massachusetts to Cleveland, Ohio, 
settling on a farm near that cit^'. 

In the parental familj- there were five children, 
four of whom are now living, viz.: William 1*., a 
resident of Ohio; Homer K., of this sketch; Asa 
S. and Ruth I)., both of whom live in the Huck- 
eye State, the latter being a widow. The subject 
of this notii'C was born near Cleveland, Ohio, .Ma^' 



30, 1827, and was reared on a farm until attaining 
to manhood years. Meantime he received a good 
common-school education and also gained a thor- 
ough knowledge of agricultui-al pursuits, .as well .as 
the nursery business, having since made a specialty 
of the latter. In 1848 he was united in marriage 
with Miss Clarinda lUirt, w'ho was born in Medina 
County, t)liio, in 1829 Her parents, Daniel :ind 
Stata (Ganyard) Hurt, removed from Massachu- 
setts to Granger, Medina County, Ohio, where 
they resided until death, lie was a Captain in 
the State Militia of Ohio, anil was a uiati of inllu- 
ence in his community. 

The union of Mr. and Mrs. Hudson resulted 
in the Ijirtli of eight children, live of whom are 
now living. They are: Dclphia C, the widow of 
Adolbert IJarnahy, and the mother of twochildren; 
Horace A., who married Nellie I'urdy and has 
two children; Homer F., who chose Miss .Millie 
Anable as his wife, their union having resulted in 
the birth of one child; Klliott K.. who married 
Miss Kate Pierce; and Helle M., the vvife of Atlrian 
Porape and the mother of two children. Mr. 
Hudson came to Michigan in 1848 and located in 
Grand Hapids, where he entered the employ of 
Flisha Kellogg, in the nursery business. Thence, 
in 1849, he moved to Holland, this .State, whither 
the Dutch colony had come the year previous. 
There he embarked in the nursery business, be- 
coming the pioneer nursin-yman of the place, and 
conducting an extensive trade, in comiiany with 
Rev. A. C. Van Raalte, the founder of the Dutch 
colony. 

After remaining thus engaged for ten years, 
Mr. Hudson disposed of his nurser}- business and 
removed to the farm, where he has since resided. 
The place was then wholly unimproved, and it re- 
quired arduous exertions on the part of the owner 
to clear the land and cultivate the soil. As soon 
as he had sullicicntly improved the place, he sot 
out trees and coinnienced in the nuiseiy business, 
which for seven years he conducted on a large 
scale. Then selling out his interests in that line, 
he commenced farming, and has since devoted his 
attention to the tilling of the sttil. He has thirtj'- 
five acres in the home place, which he devotes to 
mixed farming. He also purchased eighty acres 



348 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



of Luman Jenison, of which llie thirty-five acres 
mentioned above are a part, and he has another 
eighty-acre tract, wliich is devoted to agricultural 
purposes. 

On the corner of Air. Hudson's farm there was 
a little schoolhouse, known as Hudson's School- 
iiouse, where religious services were frequently 
held. When the land was surveyed for railroad 
purposes, our subject furnished the property on 
which the depot vvas erected, and the station was 
called Hudsonville in his honor. He platted 
twenty acres and laid out town lots, man}" of 
which he has disposed of. His interest in the wel- 
fare of the town has been deep and unceasing, and 
to him more than to any other man is due the 
present prosperity of the village. He has given 
his cliildren excellent educational advantages, all 
of them liaving completed the studies of the dis- 
trict schools. The eldest son, Horace A., received 
a collegiate education at Kalamazoo College, and 
engaged for a time in teaching school. 

After the death of his first wife, Mr. Hudson 
was again married, in 1889 choosing as his wife 
Mrs. Mar3"ette Aurora (Fox) Manning, a native of 
New York. By her former marriage she has one 
child, Clarence. Mrs. Hudson is an active worker 
in the Congregational Church at Hudsonville, and 
has for years been prominent in the Ladies' Mite 
Society, of which she is an officer. She is a teacher 
in the Sunday-school and a successful worker in 
the temperance cause. Mr. Hudson is a Christian, 
and by his life proves the sincerity of his relig- 
ious belief. 

.Sociall}', Mr. Hudson is identified witii the In- 
dependent Order of Odd Fellows, in wliich he has 
occupied all the chairs, and has served as Treasurer 
for man}' years. He is also an active member of 
tlie Grange, of wliich he has been Master for 
eleven years. For nine years he served as Director 
of Schools, resigning the position on account of 
the pressure of other duties. In politics, he is a 
Democrat, firm in his allegiance to the part}' of his 
choice. He has been elected to the positions of 
Highway Commissioner, Township Treasurer (in 
which he served for two years), and Justice of the 
Peace. On the 1st of May, 1868, he was appointed 
Postmaster at Hudsonville, and filled that position 



for several years, the postoffice being located in 
his residence. The village was then called South 
Geoigetown, and upon the change of the name to 
Hudsonville, February 18, 1872, he continued 
Postmaster, serving in that capacity until 1881. 

One of Mr. Hudson's brothers, Asa, served 
throughout the entire period of the Civil War and 
was under Gen. Sherman, being Orderly-Sergeant 
for that famous general. In three different en- 
gagements he was the last man on the field, and 
his bravery gained for him the respect and admi- 
ration of his comrades in arms. Another brother 
of our subject. Thomas, enlisted in the defense of 
the Fnion during the late war and served in Gen. 
Garfield's army. He vvas a valiant and daring 
soldier until he died from injuries received in the 
service. 



V I'OHN HALL, a prominent residentof Muskc- 
] gon Township, was born in Ireland, May 
,!^ I 18, 1833, and inlierits the perseverance of a 
Ij^/' long line of Irish ancestors. His father, 
James Hall, a native of the Emerald Isle, there 
learned the trade of a carpenter in his youth, and 
after his marriage resided for a time in the land 
of his liirth. Thence he emigrated to Canada, 
about 1848, where he followed his trade, meeting 
with fair success in his business enterprises. His 
death occurred at the age of forty-five years. His 
wife, who bore the maiden name of Margaret 
Thompson, and was likewise a native of Ireland, 
now makes her home in New York, and retains the 
vigor of former years, though now seventy-eight. 
The eldest of a family of seven children, our 
subject was eighteen years of age at the time he 
bade adieu to his childhood's friends in Iieland 
and took p.assage for Canada, where he resided un- 
til 18.')6. He then removed to New York and fol- 
lowed his trade of a carpenter in Rochester for 
two years. Coming West to Illinois in 1858, he 
was engaged at carpenter work in I'utinan Coun- 
ty for a number of 3ears. His residence in Mich- 
igan dates from the year 1863, at which time he 





V 




a^}~Uf 



rORTRAlT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



3.-)l 



.settlefl in I'oit Union. Two years Later ho went 
to loni.i. iind after .1 lesidenee of two years in tliat 
citj' lie proceeded to Mu.skegon, in 1867. Here he 
has since conducted an extensive business as a 
carpenter, and lias also liecii largely interested 
in fanning. 

In 1856 Mr. Ilall was united in marriage with 
IMiss Klizaliclh .McMilleii, a native of Scotland. 
Their union lias resulted in liu' liirtli of two sons 
and two dauglilois: .Joliii, Fred, .Margaret and Liz- 
zie. The family occupies a high position socially-, 
and its various nieinhers are higlily esteemed 
aiiHiiig their aciiuaintances. In his political affilia- 
tions, Mr. Hall is a stanch adiierent of the princi- 
ples advocated by the Hepulilicaii i)arty, to which 
he invariably gives his support. In 1874 he was 
elected Supervisor of .Muskegon 'J"ownshi)j, and 
officiated in that capacity for ten years. In 1871- 
72 he served as Township Clerk; he filled the po- 
sition of Justice of the Peace for sixteen years, 
and has also been the incumbent of a iniinbcr of 
school ollices. 

Since locating in Muskegon, Mr. Hall has given 
his attention priueipally to the occupation of an 
agriculturi.»t. and the result of his efforts is visible 
in his tine homestead. He is a man who takes an 
intelligent interest in all public enterprises, and 
his Mipport may always be relied upon in matters 
pertaining to the welfare of his fellow-citizens. 
In tlie progress of the township and county he has 
not been an uninterested spectator, but a prime 
factor, and his name is one of the most promi- 
nent among the farmers of Muskegon Count}-. 



^^•=1 



^^^^" 



J' OIIN T. DAVIS. When the books are bal- 
anced, when all accounts are finally adjusted, 
h figuratively speaking, there will be a larger 
' credit balance opposite the name of .lohn 
T. Davis than is usually ]ilaced to the credit of 
the average of m.nnkind. While he accumulated 
a considerable amount of wealth as a merchant, he 
became the possessor of that which is far more 
17 



valuable — an honorable name and the confidence 
of those who knew him best. lie was born in 
Wales, August 1, 1821, and was a son of David and 
Ksther (Kvans) Davis, also natives of that coun- 
try, the former being a tailor by trade ."iiid a man 
of much intelligence and great honesty. His fa- 
ther bore the name of Thomas Davis. 

.lohn T. Davis was the youngest of seven child- 
ren l)(irn to his paienl>, and was sent by them to 
school until he was eighteen years of age. during 
which time he studied in both the Welsh and Eng- 
lish languages. ITpon leaving school, he followed 
in the footsteps of his father, as regarded occupa- 
tion, and under his intelligent instruction ac- 
quired a thorough knowledge of the tailor's trade. 
In 1812 he decided to pursue this business in 
America, and after arriving in New York pro- 
ceeded from there to Licking County, Ohio, where 
he worked as a tailor for al)out eighteen months. 
Coming to Michigan, he spent one year in Grand 
Rapids, and thence in 1846 removed to Grand Ha- 
ven, where he made his home until his death. 

Embarking in business as a dealer in ready-made 
clothing, Mr Davis continued successfully until 
1861, but later liegan dealing in fabrics for their 
manufacture, and made a si)ecialty of line foreign 
goods. He was very prudent and judicious in his 
investments, and by industry and economy became 
the owner of considerable means. His property 
included a fine, well-improved farm of two hun- 
dred and thirty acres, which he rented, besides a 
valuable little farm of ten acres within the city 
limits and a substantial store building. In 1891 
lie built a handsome frame residence in Grand Ha- 
ven, which is modern in design and convenient in 
all its appointments. He was for years a stockholder 
in the (irand Haven liank, and in various other 
wa^s interested himself in the numerous move- 
ments for the benefit of his section, being at all 
limes public-spirited, liberal and business-like. He 
was a kind friend, and in the home circle was con- 
siderate and obliging. His entire life was charac- 
terizetl by diligence and promptness. 

In Licking County, Ohio, October 17. 1817, Mr. 
Davis married .Miss Nancy Evans, who died on the 
7th of Jlay, 1871. Her only son, Edward Davis, 
is now a resident of Montana, but for about eight 



352 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



years was a prominent lumberman of Muskegon, 
Mich. Tlie second marriage of our s^ubject was 
solemnized in March, 1874, his wife being Miss 
Maggie G., daughter of Richard Owens, of Wis- 
consin. Of this union five children were born, 
namely: John T., Homer S., Charles L., Esther V. 
and Margaret G. In 1872 Mr. Davis visited his 
old home in Wales, and took that opportunity of 
making a tour of the British Isles, but returned to 
this country content to spend his remaining days 
here. His life was singularly blameless, and when 
on the 28th of August, 1893, he received his sum- 
mons to the world lieyond, he was prepared to de- 
part. AVithin the circle of his acquaintanceship, 
he was mourned in death as he had been esteemed 
in life, and his memory will long be cherished 
throughout this county. 




AVID R. WATERS, a prominent citizen of 
'' a high order of business ability, whose 



prosperous career as a law^-er, editor, and 
gallant soldier of the late Civil War is 
widely known, is now President of the Grand 
Rapids Standard Bed Company, but devotes liis 
time principally to fruit culture, and makes his 
home upon an Ottawa County farm not far from 
Spring Lake. Our subject, born in Lycoming 
County, Pa., Decenilier 3, 1836, attained to man- 
hood in his native place, but journeying to the 
broader West began life for himself in Oquawka, 
Henderson County, 111., where he studied law, 
and in 1858 was admitted to the Bar. Answering 
to tiic call of his country, Mr. Waters enlisted in 
llic army in 1861, and joining Company G, Tenth 
Illinois Infantry, w.is upon November 19, 1861, 
sworn in as a private. Shortly after, our subject 
received promotion as Second Lieutenant and 
then soon became First Lieutenant, and upon tiie 
1st of July, 1862, was made a Captain. I'nder the 
command of Gen. Grant at Mound City, under 
Gen. Pope at New Madrid, at Corinth under 



Hallock, our subject actively participated in the 
leading engagements of those perilous daj's. Later, 
transferred to the command of Gen. Paine, he 
went from Corinth to Tuscumbia and from there 
proceeded to Nashville, where he passed under the 
command of Gen. Palmer. 

Mr. AVaters was next sent to the .South, and re- 
mained with Gen. Rosecrans until he resigned 
in 1864. Our subject was Aide-de-Cainp on the 
field under Gen. Davis and served as Judge 
Advocate under the same general. After he re- 
signed from military duties Mr. AVaters resumed 
the practice of law in Aledo, JMercer Count}', 111., 
and was in partnershij) with Charles M. Har- 
ris, a member of Congress from the (^uinc}' Dis- 
trict. About this time, afflicted with a disease of 
the eye, our subject practicalh- gave up law and 
went into the newspaper business at Aledo, then 
becoming editor of the Mercer County Press. In 
the spring of 1869, Mr. Waters located perma- 
nentlj- in Michigan and. a constant resident of the 
State for twenty-four years, has been a leading 
business man and active politician. Soon after 
his arrival within the AA''olverine State he pur- 
chased eighty-five acres of land north of Spring 
Lake, formerly owned by Mrs. E. L. Craw, and 
1 although giving a portion of his time to a variety 
of occupations has always been engaged in the 
pursuit of agriculture. During 1872 and 1873 
Mr. AVaters edited the Spring Lake Independent, 
and in 1875 was elected Supervisorof Spring Lake 
Township, and was likewise Assessor of that town- 
ship during the years 1873, 1874 and 1875. 

At aliout this time our subject settled in (Jrand 
Rapids and took a i)osition on the Grand Rapids 
Denwcrat, resigning in 1876. He afterward be- 
came the editor of the Allegan County Democrat 
and remained with that paper until Februaiy, 
1881, when he received the editorial charge of the 
Grand Rapids Evening Leader, continuing in this 
latter editorial position until the 1st of February, 
1863. Mr. AVaters then accepted the wardenship 
of the State House of Correction and Reforma- 
tory, at Ionia. In February, 1885, he returned to 
the Leader and remained the editor of that paper 
from then until the spring of 1890. In the mean 
; time he had been appointed United States Marshal 



rOllTKAJT AXD BlOGli^VrillCAL RECOKD. 



353 



for the Wt'stern District of 'Mifiiionn. In 1890 our 
subject with others eslaliiishcc] the Murniiiij Press, 
of (Trand Kapids, Mr. Waters continuing as edi- 
torial writer until Decenilier, 18n2. I'pon the 
organization i>f the (Irange at Spring Lake he was 
elected Secretary of the society and retained his 
oflicial position as long as he was connected with 
the association. The parents of David I{. Waters 
were native Pennsjlvanians, the descendant-s of a 
long line of sturdy and induslrious ancestry. 
Our subject, entering niatrinioiiial bonds December 
18, 1866, was then united ii; niai-riagc with Miss 
Alice I.atcha. a native of Lycoming County, Pa. 
Of the two children who blessed the union of Mr. 
and Mrs. Waters but one survives, Albert Latcha 
Waters, a graduate of the State Mining School at 
Houghton and the Agricultural College at Lan- 
sing. He was born on the 2d of March, 1869, and 
is a young man of brilliant itromise. P^ver a leader 
in the local councils of the Democratic party, our 
subject may review willi pride the exceptional 
record of his life, which, spent in various fields of 
action, has been filled with useful effort. As a 
soldier, advocate and editor Mr. Waters has 
achieved success and, respected for his qualities as 
a man and citizen, he enjoys the hearty good 
wishes and high regard of a host of friends. 



:^ 



I). .MOSIIKR, one of the old settlers of 

k Michigan and one of the leading farmers of 
Hlcndon T(jwnship, is a native of the Em- 
|)ire State, born May 1, 1H.'5.'). His father, William 
Moslier, as well :is his grandfather, .lames Mosher, 
were natives of New York Stale, the latter being 
one of the early settlers of the same. William 
Mosher left his native .Stale in 1837 and came to 
Michigan, settling first in Oakland County, where 
he tilled the soil for some time. From there he 
moved to Clinton County, Mich., purchased one 
hundred and sixty acres of land from the (lovern- 
ment, and remained there for eleven years. Sell- 
ing out, he moved to Ionia County, Mich., where 



he passed the closing years of his life. His wife's 
maiden name was .Sainantha Lawrence, and she 
passed her last days in Ionia County also. They 
were the parents of eight children. Lucy, de- 
ceased, was the wife of .luckson Cronkct; Laura, 
deceased, was the wife of N. Lake: Louisa, de- 
ceased, was the wife of Kdeii Smith; L. 15., de- 
ceased, resi<le(l in Ionia County, and liis widow 
still lives on the old homestead there; L. D., our 
subject is next; L. V. resides in CIreenvilie, Mich.; 
and Wallace is deceased. 

The scholastic training of our subject was re- 
ceived in Clintf)n and Ionia Coi'.nties, and he was 
reared in the pioneer days of that State, when the 
opportunities for getting an education were any- 
thing hut good. He left the parental roof when 
twent^'-one years of age, and began farming on 
rented land, continuing this for twoyears. After 
this he engaged in the carpenter's trade, which he 
followed for a number of years, and then moved 
to Gratiot County, where he was one of the first 
settlers, only four other families living in the 
townshii) of Arcadia. For two years he remained 
there, but not caring about pioneer life he sold 
his claim for (piite a handsome sum for those d.ays 
and returned to Ionia County, settling close to 
the town of Reynolds. He there purchased an un- 
improved farm, which he improved and soon after 
sold. From there he moved to Ottawa County, 
and bought a portion of his present property, fort^' 
acres, and to this he has since added, until he now 
owns one hundred and twenty acres, with thirty- 
four acres under a fine state of cultivation. 

Mr. Mosher owns a steam-tiiresher, also saws 
some timber, and has a great deal of farm machin- 
ery, lie was married in 18;)5 to Miss Sarah Grow, 
a native of .Montcalm County, Mich., and the 
daughter of Eddison and Charlotte (Hill) (Jrow, 
natives of New York, and old settlers of Michi- 
gan. To Mr. and Mrs. Grow were born eight 
children, six of whom lived to be grown. Melissa, 
deceased, the wife of David Walker; Sarah, de- 
ceased, the wife of our subject; Cerena, wife 
of Richard Murry, of Hastings, Mich.; Deriiis, 
of this county; Mary E., wife of James Murry, 
residing near Hastings; (Jertrude, wife of Horace 
Weeks, residing in lu'iit County; (loraldine, wife 



354 



PORTRAIT AND BIO(JRAPHICAL RJECORD 



of William Smith, of St. Louis, Micb.; and Wal- 
lace, who died when quite j-oung. To Mr. and 
.Mrs. Mosher were born the following children: 
Ellis, who resides in this county; Addison, de- 
ceased, who left a wife in Berlin, Mich.; Leanora; 
Ralph, of this count}-; Benjamin; Horace; and an 
infant who died unnamed. Mrs. Mosher died on 
the 22d of November. 1891, when fifty-six years 
of age. She was a member of the Christian Ciuirch 
in Ionia County. Mr. Mosher is a member of the 
same church. He was a member of the George- 
town Grange, and, like his father, has always voted 
with the Democratic party. 



eLAUS KEMME, the only German farmer in 
the section of country where he lives, was 
born in Hanover, Germany, iMay 23, 1837, 
and no one is better known for earnest industry 
and devotion to duty than he. Integrity, intelli- 
gence and system are the characteristics wliich 
will advance the interests of any man and will 
tend to the prosperity to which all aspire. As 
these are some of the traits of our subject, it is not 
to be wondered at that he has become prominent 
in his calling and that he is universally respected. 
He came to America in 1868, when thirty-one 
years of age, and settled in Ottawa County. Mich., 
where he has made his home since. Previous to 
coming to this country he was married to Miss 
Metta Brugman, a native also of Germany, and 
one child was born there. 

Upon reaching this State Mr. Kemme had about 
$14 in monc}' and he first engaged as a day la- 
borer, continuing tliis for four or five years. By 
industry and economy on the part of himself and 
his worthy wife, he accumulated sutlicient means 
to purch.ase fort}' acres of land in Olive Township, 
and on this made his home and many improve- 
ments for ten years. He then sold out and moved 
on his present farm of two hundred and ten acres. 
He has this fine tract of land all under cultivation 
and raises everything in the way of farm prod- 



ucts. As a farmer, Mr. Kemme has attained an 
enviable reputation, for in conducting his opera- 
tions he has brought his good sense and his prac- 
tical views to bear, and as a result has accumula- 
ted a fair share of this world's goods. He ex- 
tends a helping hand to all public enterprises that 
tend to the development and growth of the coun- 
try, and is very social, friendly and accommo- 
dating. 

Mr. Kemme's success has been mostly the result 
of his own exertions, but he received from his old 
home about $1,000. His parents, Claus and Re- 
becca (Umland) Kemme, were wealthy and influen- 
tial people of their native country, Germany, and 
there passed their entire lives. They were the par- 
ents of five children: Margaret, wife of John Brewer, 
who resides in Wisconsin; Clang, our subject; 
Frederick, Rebecca and Catherine deceased. The 
latter was the wife of Henry Elson, of (iermany. 
TliC father of these children served in the war 
with Denmark. He was in the army eight months 
and participated in a number of battles, the most 
prominent being Holstein. The marriage of our 
subject resulted in the birth of eight children, who 
are named in the order of their birth as follows: 
Catherine, Peter, Mary, Augusta, .John, Claus, 
Fred and .John (the first of tliat name), the three last 
being deceased. While residing in the Old Coun- 
try Mr. and Mrs. Kemme were members of the 
Lutheran Church. Mr. Kemme enjoys to an un- 
usual degree the confidence of the community and 
is well known for his honesty and sterling in- 
tegrity. His fine farm is a standing monument 
to his industry and good management. 



^p^EORGE WALL 
ill (g— farmers of Mui 
^^^ tleman, who r( 



WALLIS. Among the well-to-do 
Muskegon County is this gen- 
resides on .section 1, Dalton 
Township. His birth occurred in 1820, in Lin- 
colnshire, England. His parents were Wallie and 
Ann (Spencer) Wallis. The former was in turn 



PORTliAlT AND BIOGliAPHICAL RECORD. 



855 



the son of Waliic W.illis, and both were natives 
of Lincolnshire. Tliey were farmers by occupa- 
tion, ami for several generations it appears that 
this was the vocation of the Wallis family. Our 
subject's father was at one time a clerk in the 
Church of Kngland, and though his educational 
advantages had been quite limited he was a man 
whose true worth and natural ability were appre- 
ciated. He was married on arriving at man's es- 
tate, and reared a family of seven sons: Joseph, 
William, Thomas. Frank, George, Samuel and Ed- 
ward. Our subject is the only survivor of tliis 
family, and the only one of the number who left 
his native land. The mother died when he was a 
child of only four years. 

George Wallis remained with his father until 
he was fourteen years old, when he started out to 
make his own living by working on a farm. In 
1852 he embarked for Australia, and after a long 
and stormy voyage safely landed at the end of 
sixteen weeks. Their vessel, while crossing the 
Ba3' of Biscay, was caught in one of the most ter- 
rible storms ever known in that lf)cality. In Aus- 
tralia, Mr. Wallis worked at various kinds of labor 
for four 3'ears. He finally bought one hundred 
and sixty acres of land, only eighteen miles from 
Melbourne. There he remained until I'ebruary 
IG, 1!S()1, wiu'ii he relumed to Knglaii<l with his 
family, the voyage consuming twelve weeks and 
three days. 

The wife of George Wallis bore the maiden 
name of .\nn U'allis, her parents being .lolin and 
Fannie (.Skelton) Wallis. They have had three chil- 
dren: Fannie, now Mrs. Charles riilnani; George; 
and Ann, wife of Chester l^eigliton. About four 
years after the Wallis family returned to Kngland 
they removed to the United States, and iil liist 
settled ill (Jenesee County, N. V., where our suii- 
ject bought a small piece of land. At the expiia- 
tion of eight years, lie traded his New Voik prop- 
erty for his present farm, a tract of one hundred 
and sixty acres. To this he has since added forty 
acres, aiul now has :i valu.-ible and (iesiral)le place. 
When he became its possessor, only ten acres had 
been cleared and the remainder was lieavj' tim- 
ber-land. After many years of industrious toil, he 
hius brought the place to its present condition, one 



of the best farms in the township, and li.as made 
many substantial improvements thereon. 

In politics, Mr. Wallis is a true-blue Republican, 
and his inlluenee can safely be counted upon in 
all questions having for their object the better- 
ment of the community in which he dwells. He 
and his wife are valued members of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church, with whicii the}' have been 
identified for man_v years. They have never re- 
gretted their choice of this country .as a place in 
which to make their home, and as the years have 
brought to them success and happiness, they can 
only see the wisdom of their move. 



-•^ 



w<e ;. 



i>-^^<^ 




ihJi^ ARINUS KAMHOUT is a dealer and im- 
porter of fine wines and liquors in Grand 
Haven. lie has the honor of being 
a native of this city, his birth having 
occurred on the 31st of October, 1862. As his 
name indicates, however, he comes from a family 
of Holland origin. His father, Marin iis K:imhout, 
Sr., was a native of Holland, and in that land was 
renicd and e(liic;ited. He learned the iiKichiiiist's 
trade, which he followed during the greater part 
of his life as a means of livelihood. On coining 
to America he made his way to Ottawa County, 
Mich., and is numbered among the early settlers 
of Grand Haven. He was united in marriage 
with Catherine Nemier, also a iiati\e of Holland. 
The days of boyhood and youth were (luielly 
p:issed by our subject, who was reared to manhood 
under the parental roof. and in the public schools of 
his native city gained his education. As he arrived 
at j'ears when it l)ecaiiie necessary for him to make 
his own livelihood, he began learning the trade of 
manufacturing shingles with the firm of IJoyden, 
Akeley iV Co., and after thoroughly mastering the 
business he became manager of one of their mills, 
a position which he filled for seven years to the 
entire satisfaction of his employers. He then 
severed the connectu>n with that company in or- 
der to engage in business in his own interest, and 



356 



PORTRAIT AMD BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



on tlie 1st of June, 1885, he began dealing in (ine 
wines and liquors. He carries evei ylliing found 
in a fiist-ciass establishment of tliis kind, and for 
the past eight years has successfully conducted tiie 
business, which hsis proved a prolUable one to him. 
He is also interested in real estate, having some 
valuable town property. 

Mr. Kamhoul exercises his right of franchise in 
support of the Democracy, and has been honored 
with public oHices. In April, 1890, he was elected 
Alderman of the First Ward of Grand Haven on 
the Democratic ticket, and in 1893 he was re- 
elected to the same position, which he is now 
acceptably filling with credit to himself and to 
the satisfaction of his constituents. He takes 
quite an active interest in educational affairs, be- 
ing a warm friend to the public schools. He 
holds membership with some civic societies, be- 
longing to Highland Tent No. 203, K. O. T. M., 
and Ottawa Lodge No. 46, I. O. O. F. 

A marriage ceremony performed in Grand Hav- 
en in 188;! united the destinies of Mr. Kamhout 
and Miss .lennie Tourville, a native of New York. 
The union of this worthy couple has been blessed 
by a family of three children, two sons and a 
daughter, namely: Louis, Mamie and Marinus, Jr. 
Tlie family has a pleasant home in the cit^' where 
our subject has spent his entire life and where he 
has a wide acquaintance. 



- 1 1 I > 1 



j^ATRICK DOWD, an enterprising and suc- 
cessful agriculturist of Muskegon Town- 
ship, residing on section 36, was born in 
County Sligo, Ireland, May 30, 1833. His 
parents, Michael and Bridget (McTernan) Dowd, 
were also natives of the Emerald Isle, where they 
passed their entire lives, the mother dying when 
our subject was a child of eight years. The fam- 
ily consisted of four sons and one daughter. The 
latter died at the age of three years, but the sons 
all attained to manhood years. I'atrick, who was 
the eldest child in the family, was reared on his 



father's farm, receiving very limited educational 
ailvantages and devoting his attention princi- 
pally to farm work. 

In ISTjO, Mr. Dowd emigrated to America and 
proceeded from New York, after a short sojourn 
in that metropolis, to Michigan, arriving in Mus- 
kegon on the 4th of September, 18.54. Ho en- 
tered the employ' of Reason A Morris (now Rey- 
son, Hill cV Co.), and for about two years worked 
in their sawmill. Later, he was with anf)t!ier firm 
for a short time, after which he returned to his 
first employers, remaining with them many years. 
Upon resigning his position with Reyson A' Mor- 
ns, he was emplo3'ed by another concern for 
thirteen years, and for five years held the position 
of engineer for C. J. Hamilton. He was also engi- 
neer on a tug, in the employ of the Muskegon 
Booming Company', for four years. Later, he en- 
gaged on the lake, and also was interested in mill- 
ing until 188(1, when he located upon the prop- 
erty where he has since resided. 

In Chicago, in 1858, Mr. Dowd was united in 
marriage with Miss Mar}- Diver, a native of Count}- 
Donegal, Ireland, who emigrated to Brookl^'n, 
N. Y'., in 1854, and thence to Chicago, residing in 
that city until her marriage. Seven children 
blessed this union, namely: John, the eldest of 
the family, who was drowned in the lake at the 
age of thirteen years and six months; Andrew, who 
was born in 1864 and resides at home, being the 
present Supervisor of the township, and enjoying 
the distinction of being the 3'oungest gentleman 
over chosen for that oHice in the township; Mar- 
tin, who was born in 1866, and is now book-keeper 
for the Muskegon Boiler Works; Katlie, who is at 
home; Bernard, who was born in 1875, and is at 
home; INlary A., who died at the age of three and 
one-half years; and Una, who passed away at the 
age of one year. 

In his enter[)rises Mr. Dowd has met with more 
than ordinary success, and in addition to his farm 
is the owner of five houses and two vacant lots in 
the city o( Muskegon. What he has and what he 
is may be attributed to his indomitable energy, 
and not to any assistance from friends or fortuit- 
ous ciroumstances. When he arrived in Muske- 
gon he did not have nume}- enough to pay for his 



PORTRAIT AND ISlUURAPH'.CAL 14EC0RD. 



357 



dinner. lie readied this city at eleven o'clock in 
the morning, and two hours later conimcnced 
to work with his customary energy, notwithstand- 
ing the fact that lie had had nothing whatever to 
eat for many hours. It is this perseverance and 
dauntless courage that have secured for liiui the 
high degree of success he now enjoys. Politi- 
cally, he is a Republican. In lHo(! lie cast his bal- 
lot for .lohn C. Fremont, and since that time lie 
has always voted for the princijiles he then up- 
held. For two years lie served as Township Treas- 
urer and afterward lie served for the same length 
of time as Highw.ay Commissioner. 



fflOHN JONKS. The creditable condition of 
the agricultural districts of Ottawa County, 
Mich., is due to a great extent to the en- 
terprise, energy and intelligence of her 
farmers and stock-raisers. Among the most promi- 
nent of these may be mentioned John Jones, 
who is pushing, enterprising and thrify, in fa(tt, a 
model farmer, lie was born on the farm on which 
he now resides January' 16, 185(5, the only son 
and eldest child now living of Thomas and Ann 
(Robcrt.s) Jones, the former of whom came to this 
State in 1842, in company with Richard Roberts, 
and made settlement on the farm on which his 
widow still resides. This farm was purchased by 
the two men, and consisted of three hundred and 
twenty acres, and at the time of their location 
there was not another person living in the town- 
ship. They came to this country from the North 
of Wales, and after making the purchase Mr. Jones 
resided on the place for about nine years, at the 
end of which time he returned to his native land 
to wed the girl he left behind him, who is now 
his widow. Mr. Jones returne<l immediately to 
this country with his young bride, and for a long 
time thereafter there was but one small settlement 
in the country for many inilcs around. There 
was but one schoolhousu, which was situated on 



Mr. Jones' farm, and there were no churches, 
preaching being conducted in the sclioolhouse, or 
at private residences. Milling was done at Grand 
Rapids, and as there were no public roads the 
journey was a wearisome one. At that time lum- 
ber-mills were nuineroiis, and but little farming 
was <]one, the place owned by Mr. .lones being the 
lari>est in the t()wnslii|i. During the summer 
months he devoted his time to tilling the soil, and 
in the winter he and Mr. Roberts did considerable 
lumbering, llnding this cpiile a profitable occupa- 
tion. He owned considerable pine land, the 
timber from which he sold after he had cleared 
and properly developed his farm, and this net- 
ted him a considerable amount of money. Mr. 
Jones was very successful, but he and Mr. Rob- 
erts were more forehanded than the majority 
of the pioneers of that day, each having a con- 
siderable amount of UKJiiey in his possession. 
Mr. Jones purchased Mr. Robeits' interest in the 
farm and later made a specially of stock-raising, 
in which he was recognized as the leader in his 
township. lie raised a good grade of Durham 
cattle and made a specialtv' of heavy draft horses. 
At the time of his death he had erne hundred acres 
under cultivation, on which was one of the most 
substantial, well-arranged and neatest farm houses 
in the county, besides substantial and commodious 
barns of all kinds, lie was born in Wales June 
I 21, 1822, and died September 12, 188(1. He held 
the office of Township Treasurer twice, and at the 
time of his death was Treasurer of the Congrega- 
tional Church, of which he was a member. 

His father was John Knoch .(ones, a Welshman, 
and his mother was Jennie .lones. To them four 
children were horn, .lohn, who followed the oc- 
cupation of merchandising and died in his native 
land, and Thomas, the father of the immediate 
subject of this sketch, being the only tines who 
lived to mature years. The father of .Mrs. Jones 
was John Roberts, who was a farmer of North 
Wales, and her mother's maiden name w.as Eliza- 
beth Robertas, though she was not related to her 
husband. They became the parents of six chil- 
dren: Rebecca, widow of Richard Roberts, and the 
pioneer white woman of AllendaleTownship; Bar- 
bara, deceased, the wife of Roland Edwards, of 



S58 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



Wales; Betsey, deceased, tlie wife of SamuelJones, 
wbo died at Liverpool, England; John, :i resident 
of Liverpool. England; Ann, wife of Thomas Jones, 
and mother of John Jones; and Robert, who resides 
on a farm in North Wales. To Mr. and Mrs. Jones 
three ciiildren were given: Elizabeth, deceased; 
John; and Mary, wife of Thomas Lockhart, of this 
township. 

John Jones grew to manhood on the farm on 
which he now lives and has always followed the 
occupation of agriculture. At the death of his fa- 
ther he assumed the care of the home place and 
looked after his mother and his twosisters until the 
marriage of one of the latter and the death of the 
other. Like his father, he possesses a natural apti- 
tude foi' his calling and is actively engaged in 
farming and stock-raising, his horses being mostly 
Nonnan and of supeiior breed, and he is also like 
him in the fact that he is a Democrat in his politi- 
cal views. He and his mother are communicants 
of the Congregational Church. 



i:^ 



=^2* 



W 



^/ILLIAM SNOWDIN, a representative gen- 
eral agriculturist and successful stock- 



WW raiser of Chester Township, Ottawa Coun- 
ty, has been a resident of Michigan for forty j'ears. 
An Englishman by birth, he was born in Lincoln- 
shire April 30, 1829. He is the secc)nd child born 
to the union of John and Mai_y (Graham) .Snow- 
din, natives of England and descendants of a long 
lin • of sturdy British ancestry. His father was 
tv\ li;e married, and by his first union had seven 
soil', all of whom attained mature years. They 
we.v John, Joseph, Charles, IScujaui in, George, Se|)- 
timus and James. The last-uauiud emigrated to 
the United States and for a time made his home 
in Michigan, but later removed to Beaver Dam, 
Wis., where he died. Joseidi, (ieorge and Charles 
also came to America and settled in Wisconsin. 

The second union of John Snovvdin resulted in 
the birth of five children, of whom the next to the 
youngest died at an caily age. The others are 



Thominson, who is married; William, the subject 
of this sketch; Jane, who is the wife of George 
Cross and resides in Wisconsin; and Ann, who 
IS married and resides upon the old homestead 
in England. The father and mother of these 
children spent their entire lives in England, 
where they both died at advanced ages. William 
Snowdin was educated in the excellent public 
schools of his native land, and at the age of thir- 
teen j'ears secured a position as a farm laborer. 
His first year's salary was 8il5, and during the 
eleven years he continued in the employ of others 
his highest salary was ^SCO per year. 

Emigrating to America in 1853, Mr. Snowdin 
landed in Quebec, Canada, and from that city 
proceeded dii'ect to Michigan. He pre-empted 
fort3' acres in Sanilac County, which he converted 
into a comfortable homestead. As prosperity re- 
warded his efforts, he was enabled to add forty 
acres to the original tract, and devoted his atten- 
tion to the cultivation of the land. At the ex- 
piration of about fifteen j'ears he disposed of that 
farm, and in 1868 settled in Chester Township, 
purchasing the property upon which he has since 
resided, and which then consisted of seventy acres. 
There were very few improvements upon the 
farm; ten acres had been cleared, preparatory to 
cultivation, and a board house had been built. 

During the quarter of a centur}' covering the 
period of Mr. Snowdin's residence upon his pres- 
ent farm, he has devoted his energies exclusiveh' 
to the improvement of the place, which is embel- 
lished with a spacious residence, commodious barns 
and substantial outbuildings. The sixt^- acres 
comprising the homestead have been placed under 
excellent cultivation. In addition to this prop- 
ert3', he is the owner of forty acres in Ravenna 
Township, Muskegon County, adjoining the orig- 
inal homestead, thirty acres of the tract being 
finely imjuoved. The stock raised on the Snow- 
din farm is noted for its excellence. The cattle 
are a high grade of Durham, and the horses, while 
not imported, are of supei-ior breeds, comparing 
favorably with the finest iu the county of Ottawa. 

William Snowdin and Miss JLiry .\. Cross were 
united in marriage in England in 1853. The par- 
ents of Mis. Snowdin, John and Annie (Russell) 



1 














n:Va:t>,^ ^ 










r\LJi:. L..CL Jt A.C. .'-iuRThlLUSE, iLC^f., GRAND H AVEil T P,(^TTA\VA. COJvhCli. 






lV->w».. _>:,v*^,-^>;p^^_ Jois^irt'^^aaH 



^; a';jj.*:rrrr' r:Lr r rzr, 







RESIDENCEOF WILLIAM SHOWDIM, SFC. T. , CHF STEK TF", OTTAWA CO.^MICH 



PORTIIAIT A^D BlOGliAPinCAL RECORD. 



^C! 



Cross, were natives of F,n<rland and liad a family 
of ten children, all nf whuni remained in England 
excepting Mrs. Snowdin and three of her brothers. 
Unto our subject and his estimahlc wife there have 
been horn seven children, namely: William E., a 
farmer residing in Chester Township; Maria, the 
wife of .lames Nevell, of Wisconsin; Anna, who 
taught in the district schools of .Michigan, and ilied 
at tlie age of nineteen years; Robert R., who died 
when five years old; .Jennie, who engaged in teach- 
ing for four years, married S. Heideiircicli and lives 
in Wisconsin; Albert, who is married and lives 
at home; and Nellie, the wife of Wesley Max- 
well, of Ravenna, Muskegon Countj'. A strong 
Republican and a local leader of the party, Mr. 
Snowdin takes an active interest in all matters of 
public importance, and is esteemed .as a substjin- 
tial man of superior business ability and broad 
intelligence. 







,,.. EliERT C. NORTIIOUSE, a leading gen- 
(©jyli eial agriculturist, and for over a score of 
years an extensive bee-keeper of Ottawa 
County, making his home on a linelj' cul- 
tivated farm near CJrand Haven, has been crop 
correspondent for his township for many years, 
and has also held with ability various important 
local oHices. The father of our subject, Cornelius 
Nortliouse, was born in Holland, and, attaining to 
manhood in his native land, gained an excellent 
education in the public schools of his birth- 
place. At the age of about thirty he determined 
to emigrate to the new world beyond the sea, and 
sailing for America landed safe and sound in the 
United .States. 

.Journeying at once Westward, the father went 
to Kalamazoo, Mich., and for two years resided in 
that locality. Eater he removed to Ottawa Count}' 
and ])urcha.-ed a farm one and a-half miles from 
Grand Haven. He then entered with energy upon 
the cultivation of the fertile soil of the Wolverine 
Stale, and w.is prospered. Tlie original liome- 



stead wliicli he bought contained fnily eiglil.\' 
acres, l)Ut to that iMirchase he soon added forty 
acres of fine timber-land, wliicli, like his lirsteiglity, 
he cleared and improved with good fencing and 
commodious buildings. 

Born in 1812, tlie father survived to pass the 
allotted three-score years and ten, and after an 
honorable career entered into rest in IH81, forty- 
two years after his arrival in America. The 
mother of our subject, Etiie \'aiimaren, was born 
in Europe, and crossed the ocean with her paients 
in 1842, locating in Grand Haven, where she was 
married. She passed away in 187!), and in 1880 
the father a second time wedded, marrying Mrs. 
Kate Danhaff, now residing in Grand Rapids. 
The six children who blessed the union of the fa- 
ther and mother were: Albert, Peter, Nancy, Nel- 
lie, Cornelius and Chrissie. 

Our subject, .\lbert C, was born in 1853 upon 
the old homestead in Ottawa Count>', and at- 
tained to manhood upon the farm. He was edu- 
cated in the schools of the district and, early 
trained in the round of agricultural pursuits, grew 
u\> a thoroughly practical farmer, well versed in 
every duty of farminglife. He nowownssixty-live 
acres, thirty acres being a part of the old home- 
stead. Raising year after year the usual farming 
products, our subject also cultivates a variety of 
fruit with success, and for twenty years has prosper- 
ously handled bees, now owning one of the finest 
apiaries in this part of the country. 

Albert C. Nortliouse and Miss lOlla .J. Wilcox, a 
native t>f .Vllegan County, Mich., and a lady of 
worth and accomplishments, were united in mar- 
riage August 21, 1883. Twochildren, Alfred anil 
Pearl, have with their bright i)resence clieered 
the ple!i.sant home of our subject and his estimable 
wife. Mrs. Nortliouse is a member of the Congre- 
gational Church in (iraiid IJaven.and is a ready 
aid in good work. The parentsof Mrs. Nortliouse, 
Samuel .J. and Harriet (Scolield) Wilcox, were na- 
tives of New York and early settlers in Ottawa 
County, Mich. They had seven children, three 
.sons and four daughters: .Mfred .J., Cynthia. ■•'.Ma 
.Jane, Arthur, .\da (deceased), Merret .1. and llattie 
Helle. 

Our subject is identified with the Democratic 



362 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



party, and has lield with efficiency for about ten 
years the office of .Iu>.lice of the Peace, and by his 
legal decisions lias given universal satisfaction 
to his friends and neiglibors. For one year Town- 
ship Clerk and a twelvemonth To wnsliip Treasurer, 
Mr. Nortliouse gave to the demands of public 
work faithful service, and as a member of the 
School Board for eight years has materially aided 
in the educational advancement of his honie dis- 
trict and has won the confidence of a host of ac- 
qunintances, by wliom he is esteemed as a friend, 
neighbor and liheral-^pirited citizen. 



ACOB WEKRSING, a well-known citizen 
and enterprising general agriculturist, and 
for more than a score of 3-ears closely iden- 
tified with the progressive growth of Mich- 
igan, cultivates a finely-improved farm located on 
section 36, Holland Township, Ottawa County, 
and, a man of ability and upright character, com- 
mands the sincere resi)ect of a large acquaintance. 
Mr. Weersing, a native of the Netherlands, was 
born in Drenthe in the yiar 1836. His ancestors had 
patiently tilled the fertile soil of the Fatherland, 
and although but few of the family gained wealth, 
they were all self-respecting, hard-working and 
industrious people, bringing their chihhen up to 
strict religious observance and unswerving hon- 
esty. The parents of our subject, John and Cath- 
erine Weersing, were natives of the near vicinity 
of the birthplace of their son Jacob. The father, 
born in 1H()7, and the mother in 1809, were reared 
and educated in thi' .■-ame neighborhood, and mar- 
rying began their housekeeping amid the familiar 
scenes of their childhood. 

The father, by occupation a farmer, was in ex- 
cellent financial circumstances, owning one hun- 
dred acres of fertile land, which annually j'ielded 
him a good harvest. Brought up from his youth 
to the daily round of agricultural pursuits, he had 
that thoroughly practical knowledge of farming 



which seldom fails to insure success. Eight chil- 
dren blessed the home of the parents, but six are 
now deceased. Catherine, wife of John Johnson; 
and Jacob, our subject, alone survive. The de- 
voted wife and mother died in her native land, 
mourned bj' many friends and relatives. Some 
time subsequent to her demise, the father deter- 
mined to try his fortunes in America, and in 1870, 
with his two children, embarked for the United 
States. Landing safe and sound in New York, 
the family remained but a brief time in the East, 
almost immediately journe3'ing to Michigan, where 
they located in Holland, Ottawa County, among 
former friends and neighbors of the Old Country. 
Here the father bought seventy-two acres of land, 
partially improved, and with energy entered into 
the further development of his homestead in a 
new land, from thenceforward his permanent resi- 
dence. 

The father survived his arrival in the United 
States fifteen years and passed away in 188.5, re- 
gretted by all who knew him. He was a devout 
member of the Dutch Reformed Church, and from 
his youth upright, conscientious and faithful in 
all things possessed the confidence of friends and 
neighbors. Jacob AVeersing received his education 
in the common schools of his native land, where 
he attained to manhood and in due course of time 
married Miss Jacoba Boalaus. This marriage was 
blessed by the biiih of four children: John, who 
married Ida Lemmon; Catherine, wife of John De- 
witt; Jane, deceased; and .lacoba, wife of Ara Ten- 
kate. The first wife died in 1871, after a residence 
of about two weeks in the United States. A sec- 
ond time entering the bonds of matrimony, Mr. 
Weersing was wedded to Miss Fanny Lemmon. 
The home of our subject and his estimable wife 
has been brightened by the birth of live children, 
four sons and one daughter, namely: Fanny, wife 
of William Dewitt; Benjamin, Johannes, Jacob 
and Martin. Mr. and Mrs. Weersing arc valued 
members of the Hcformed Church and are active 
in good work. 

Politically, our subject is a Republican, deeply 
interested in the management of both local and 
national affairs, an(L a good citizen, is ever ready 
to do his full share in all matters of mutual wel- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



363 



fare. Fin!\iicially prospered, Mr. Weersing owns 
spviMity-two acres of valualile land, higlily culti- 
vated and improved witii substantial and commo- 
dious buildings, the farm presenting; a tluifty and 
))rosperons appearance. 



Hl< 



"=] 



^>^E 



J. GATES is one of the native-born sons 
jjj of Michigan who have taken a warm in- 
^^^ tercst in the progress of the .State and 
contributed to its material advancement. 
An enterprising and energetic farmer, he has been 
highly successful in the cultivation of his place, 
which is located on section 11, Laketon Township, 
Muskegon County, and which, tiirougli his labor, 
is one of the best farms in the township. lie is a 
man who uses skill and judgment in the rotation 
of crops and fertilization of the soil, and conse- 
quently is able to secure the veiy best results fiom 
every acre of his ])r(>peity. 

In St. .Inst'pli Count \', Mich., (uir subject was 
born on the /ith of March, 18:^8. His father, 
Hiram (iates, was born and reared in Onondaga 
Couiily, N. Y., being the son of Aschibald Gates, 
and a descendant of Scotch ancestry. The inother 
of our subject, Margaret Kngle, was born in On- 
ondaga County, N. Y., and was the daughter of 
Jonathan Kngle, whose ancestors were German 
people. After tiieir marriage in the Empire Stale, 
the parents of our >ubject came to Michigan and 
settled in St. .loseph County, some lime in the 
'20s, being among the pioneers of this State. They 
entered a tract of land from the (Jovernment, and 
improved the farm, building a log house and clear- 
ing the land. Some years later they sold the 
property and removed to Burr Oak, Mich., where 
Mr. (Jates died at the age of lifty-live; his wife 
also passed aw.ay at that age. 

There were six children, four daughters and 
two sons, in the parental family, our subject being 
the next to the youngest. He w.as reared on a 
farm in St. .Joseph County until he was seventeen, 
when he accompanied his parents to Burr Oak. 



There, on the 14th of February, 18GI, he was 
united in marriage with Miss Delila McMillan, 
who was born in Onondaga County, N. Y., .laii- 
iiary "29, 1843. She is the daughter of Abram and 
Malvina (Pangbiirn) McMillan, natives of New 
York, and was the second of five children. At 
the age of ten years she came to Michigan with 
her father and located in St. .loseph County, where 
she grew to womanhood. 

After his marriage Mr. Gates located in Bun- 
Oak, Mich., where he found employment at his 
trade as a moulder. In 1862 he came to Mu.-ke- 
gon County, and for about six months sojourned 
in Dalton Townshiii. He then entered from the 
Government one hundred and sixty acres where 
he now resides. He first built a small log cabin, 
12x14 feet in dimensions, but after living in it 
for one year he erected a good log house, 18x26 
feet, in which he resided until 1887. Since that 
time he has made his home in an attractive and 
tastily-furnished house, erected at a cost of *l,2n(i, 
and containing all the modern conveniences. 
Cntil about fifteen years ago he was extensively 
eng.aged in lumbering, but since that time lie has 
engaged exclusively in generiil fanning, lie cul- 
tivates one hundred and forty acres, and has given 
his eldest son a sixty-acre tract. 

Mr. and Mrs. (iates are the parents of three 
sons: Frank, who resides in Lakelon Townsliip; 
Otis R. and Leon .1., who are at home. In ijoliticsa 
Itepublicaii, Mr. f iates has served as the incumbent 
of various township oflices, including the positions 
of .luslice t)f the Peace and Sui)ervisor. He was 
elected to repie.senl Lakelon Township on the 
County Board of Supervisors in 188(1, and served 
with ellicienc^' for two years. 



^ o c- 



)!#^||-^h-I^|||^#j^=:= 



^EL.S NELSON, who carries on general farm- 
ing on section 21, Hcilton Township, Miis- 
H\ ,/'tm \ kegon Coiinty, i-s one of the worthy citi- 
zens that Denmark has furnished this coiniiniinty. 
The birth of our subject occurred in Copenhagen 



364 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



in 1841. His parents were Nels and Anna (Lar- 
son) Jepperson. They were farming |)eople, and 
spent their entire lives in Deninarl<. The mother 
liad been twice married before her union witii Mr. 
Jepperson, and by each marriage iuid one child: 
Gratt Johnson and John Nelson. Our subject is 
the only son of Mr. and Mrs. Jepperson. Both 
parents were members of the Lutheran Cliurch, 
and highly respected citizens. The father died in 
the land of his birth on Christmas Day of 1891, 
and his wife passed away about seven years pre- 
vious. 

In his early life Mr. Nel?t)ii w;i? aft'orded good 
school privileges, and pursued his studies until the 
age of fourteen, when lie was forced to earn his 
own liveliiiood. Tlirongh experience and through 
contact witli men and the world, he lias become a 
well-informed man. He was trained to indus- 
trious and frugal habits, and lias led a busy and 
useful life. He began working as a farm hand, 
and to tliat labor devoted his energies until eigh- 
teen years of age, when he decided to leave the 
farm and go to the city. Removing to Copen- 
hagen, he secured employnient in a grocery store, 
where he remained until coming lo the United 
States, in 1867. 

Hoping to better his financial condition therebj, 
he emigrated to the New World, and after i-eacli- 
ing the shores of this land immediately made his 
way to Chicago. After a few months spent in 
that city, he came to Muskegon and began work- 
ing in a sawmill. For ?i.\ years he was engaged 
in mill work, and then came to lii^ pioent farm. 
As the result of his industry and economy, he had 
acquired some capital, with which lie purchased 
the forty acres of land on which he now resides. 
It was all in its primitive condition, not a furrow 
having been turned or an improvement made 
tliereOn, but, nothing daunted, he began its devel- 
opment, and has now sixty acres under a high 
state of cultivation. His farm isiuiw one hundred 
and twcnt}' acres in extent, and will rapidly he 
improved. It is already yielding to him a good 
income, and its neat and thrifty appi'arance in- 
dicates his careful supervision. 

Mr. Nelson was married in .Muskegon, in 1868, 
the lady of his clioicu being .Vnna Johnson, who is 



also a native of Denmark. Their union has been 
blessed with two sons, John and Hans. The fam- 
ily is one widely and favorably known in the com- 
nuinit\',and ranks high in social circles where true 
worth is received as the passport into good so- 
ciety. Mr. Nelson votes with tlie Republican 
party, but has never been an offlce-seeker. In re- 
ligious belief he is a Lutheran. When he reached 
America his cash capital was reduced to 85, but he 
was ambitious and energetic, and resolved to win 
success. Overcoming the obstacles in his path, 
and surmounting the difficulties, he has steadily 
worked his way upward until now he is the owner 
of a comforlalile home and property. His example 
may well serve to encourage others who. like him- 
self, have to start out to fight the battles of life 
empty-handed. 



*^^1 



m:wm 



11^ 



HI LIP HEYBOER. Many of the most active 
and enterprising residents of the State of 
Jlichigan have come from Holland, but 
have here spent the greater part of their 
lives. In them may be found true- loyalty to their 
adofited country, and they understand, as it were 
by intuition, the needs, social and industrial, of 
this vicinit}', and have a thorough knowledge of 
its resources. They are therefore well adapted to 
succeed in life and make useful, progressive and 
law-abiding citizens. I'liilip Ileyboer w.as born in 
the south of Holland and is a son of Peter and 
Wilempis He3'boer, who were born, reared and 
married in Holland. The early life of the father 
was S|)ent on a farm, but he also managed to learn 
the baker's trade, and after starting out to fight 
life's battles for himself, he followed that occupa- 
tion as a means of livelihood until his removal 
from the land of his nativity to the I'liited States 
of .Vmerica in 1846. He was a man of frugal 
and industrious habits, and accumulated sufficient 
means to bring his family, which consisted of his 
wife and two children, Kate (Mis. R. A. Vogel) 
and Philip, to this country with him, and to pro- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPIUCAL lilX'ORD. 



365 



vide foi- tliem in :i coiiift>itablo way. lie did not ' 
long riMii.iin in the Kast after hmding, hut wisely 
made iiis way Westward, Ottawa County. Mioli., 
being liis ohjeelive point, and in (Uie course of 
time he found himself with all his possessions at 
Orand Haven. Mieh. Leaving his family at that 
point, he maile his way on foot to Holland and, 
being pleased with the a|)pearanec of the country, 
he purchased forty acres of laud, and after settling 
on it with his family, like Ihe majority of early 
selllers who made for themselves a home in the 
wilderness, 

"He cut, he logged, he cleared his lot, 
And into many a dismal spot he let the light of 
day." 

He gave up his trade and turned all his atten- 
tion to farming and the sawmill business, but in 
time opened a general store in the vicinity of his 
home, in connection with his son Pliili[», and tins 
occupation received his attention for about seven 
years. Since then he has been retired from the 
active duties of life and is in the enjoyment of 
means which his early industry brought him. 

Philip Heyboer received a fair education in his 
native land, and at the time of his parents' re- 
moval to this country he was in his lifteenth year. 
After reaching Ottawa County he could do little 
at first to assist his father on the home place, so 
accordingly secured work elsewhere, and in this 
manner assisted in supp(jrtiiig the family. In 
addition to this he saved sullicient means to pur- 
chase a yoke of oxen, which he gave to his father. 
At the early age of nineteen years he was man led 
to Mary Weitfieldt, who was also born in the Xelh- 
erlands, on the island of Flakkee. When nine^'ears 
old she was brought by her parents to this country, 
and here she grew to womanhood. Her union 
with Mr. Heyboer resulted in the birth of seven 
children, but two died young, those living be- 
ing Peter, Matthew, Lizzie, ^Laggie and Katie. 

After Mr. Heylioer's marriage he lived with his 
father for a number of years, and during this lime 
he purchased forty acres of land in connection 
with a brother-in-law, but his share in this land 
he disposed of and purchased ff)ity acres of an- 
other tract. To this he adiled forlv acres at one 



time and sixty acres at anolliei', and iK)w has in 
all one hundred and twenty acres of as good 
farming land ascanbefoimd within the confinesof 
Ottawa County, and which is well im|)roved with 
substantial buildings, fences, etc. lie is a member 
of the Reformed Church, is a UepuMican in poli- 
tics, and has held many local ollices in his township, 
being the present ellicienl Township Tieasurer. 



'i||OHN FENNKK. a progressive and successful 
agriculturist of Muskegon County, and the 
owner of a well-improved farm on section 
14, Laketon Township, was born in Pru»ia, 
Germany, August 2, 1842. He is a son of Michael 
Fenner, likewise a native of Prussia, who engaged 
in milling in that country until 1840. At that 
time he emigrated to the New World, and estab- 
lished his home in Milwaukee, Wis., whence, in 
1865, he removed to Michigan and located in Ne- 
waygo. At present he resides in Muskegon, and 
is a prominent and highly-respected citizen of the 
place. His wife, the mother of our subject, bore 
the maiden name of Minnie Seymour, and died at 
the age of thirty-six years. 

The eldest of six children, our siil)ject was six 
3^ears of age when he accompanied his father to 
America. Here he grew to manhood and learned 
the trade of a stone-mason, at the same tune also 
working at the carpenter's trade. In 1862 he en- 
listed in the Union army, becoming a member of 
Company F, Twenty-seventh Wisconsin Infantry, 
and participating in a nuinber of desperate en- 
gagements as well as many minor skirmishes. Kn- 
tering the army as a private in the ranks, he was 
promoted for gallantry and meritorious conduct 
to the Captaincy, but refused to accept the ollice. 
While in active service he was wounded in the 
hip and the right knee, anil was sunslrin^k on two 
separate occasions. 

After receiving his discharge at Hrownsville, 
Tex., our subject returned U> his old home in 



366 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Wisconsin for a short time. In 1865 he came to 
Muskegon, and a few ^eais afterward located on 
his present farm. Aliout four acres had heen im- 
proved, hut there was no house on the place, and 
one of his first impiovements was the erection of 
a small log house, where for a number of years he 
made his home. As the result of his untiring ex- 
ertions, he has |)laced the two hundred and forty 
acres com|)rising the estate under the best cultiva- 
tion, and it now ranks among the finest farms of 
the township. In addition to farming, he has en- 
gaged in lumbering, and has also worked as fore- 
man in charge of large forces of workmen. 

I'pon national issues, Mr. Fenner is a Democrat, 
but in local matters casts liis ballot for the best 
man and the best jtrinciples, irrespective of poli- 
ties. He has held a number of the school oflices, 
and has also served as Highway Commissionei' and 
in other township offices. While he maintains a 
deep interest in public affairs, yet his time and 
labors are given princiivilly to the welfare of his 
family and the promotion of the interests of his 
children. To them he has given every advantage 
in his power, and for them both he and his wife 
have worked untiringly. His marriage took ))lace 
in December, 1870, his wife being Miss Catherine 
Lachman, a native of Michigan. Tiiey are the 
parents of eleven children, all of whom were born 
on the Fenner homestead: John L., Fred, Louie, 
George, Alfred, Charles, William, Minnie, Lizzie, 
Kittie and Anna. 



-^-^m>-^^<^ 




LBERT G. VANDEN BFHG. proprietor of 
a meat-market in (irand Ihiven, liegan 
business in this line in 188G. lie is one 
of the sons of the Netherlands. IIis birth 
occurred in Holland in 1838, and his father, Peter 
A'anden Berg, was a native of the same countr}*. 
The latter emigrated to America in 1817, spent 
two years in Chicago, and then removed to Holland, 
Mich., where he resided until 1853, which year 
witnessed his arrival in Grand Haven. He ac- 



cepted the position of lighthouse keeper at the 
entrance to the harbor, and thus served for si.K 
years, lie became widely and favorably known 
in this community, and for a number of years held 
the ofllce of Justice of the Peace. He died in 
Zceland, Ottawa County, Midi., in August, 1807, 
respected by all who knew him. His wife, wlio 
bore the maiden name of Dena Kampherbeek, was 
also a native of Holland, and died in (irand Ha- 
ven in 1864. 

Our subject spent the first eight years of his 
life in the land of his nativity, and then accom- 
panied his parents on their emigration to Amer- 
ica, removing with them to Chicago, where the 
father worked in a silk factor}- for two years. Al- 
bert attended the common schools for a time, and 
then began sailing on the Lakes, following that 
life for a number of years. At length he left the 
water, and, coming to Grand Haven, established 
himself in business in 1886 as proprietor of a n^eat- 
market, which he has since conducted successfully. 
Besides his business, he owns several good pieces 
of town property. 

On the 6th of November, 1859, was celebrated 
the marriage of Mr. Vander Berg and Miss Joanna 
Hoffman, a native of the Netherlands, who came 
to .\merica in 1847, at the age of four ^-ears, her 
father being an early settler of Holland, Mich. 
Nine children have been born of the union, seven 
sons and two daughters, viz.: Martin D., a grad- 
uate of the Dental College of Ann Arbor, Mich., 
now engaged in the practice of dentistry in Grand 
Rapids; John IL, who also graduated from the 
same school; Peter U., a student in the Medical 
College of Ann Arbor; Marie Joanna, who grad- 
uated from the High School of Grand Haven, 
and is now a teacher ot this city; Dena, who oc- 
cupies a position as book-keeper; Albert G., who 
aids his father in the meat-market; Lawrence H., a 
student in the High School; and Frank and George, 
who also attend school. The parents are devoted 
and faithful members of the .Second Reformed 
Church of Grand Haven, and take an active in- 
terest in everything that tends to |)romote its 
growth and upbuilding. 

In his political affiliations Mr. Vander Heig is a 
Democrat, and has been called upon to serve in 



PORTRAIT A^D BlOlilLVPillCAL liEC'ORD. 



367 



several publie posilidus of liuiinr aiul trust. ?'or 
four years lie was a member of tlie Sclioul Board, 
was City Marshal for four years, niiii for twelve 
years served as Deputy Sheriff. In all these posi- 
tions he discharged his duties with a |)romplness 
and fidelity that won him the commendation of all 
coneerned and led to his many re-eleelions. llis 
fellow-townsmen reooiinize in him a valued citi- 
zen, and it is with pleasure that we present to 
our leaders this record of his life, knowing that 
it will be received with interest by nian^'. 



? I ' I ' I ■ I 



^^ LIVER B. CARR. To be a successful agri- 
if( J; cuUurist, it is necessary to possess a strong 
Vi/ physique, great endurance, a clear head and 
wise judgment. These qualities, combined with 
patient perseverance, will almost invariably bring 
to their possessor a large measure of prosperity. 
Of Mr. Carr it may be said that these traits are 
all his, and to them he is indebted for the success 
already won in the realm of agriculture. He has 
had many dillicullies to encounter, but with 
true American determination and "grit," he has 
bravely surmounted each obstacle jH-esenting it- 
self. 

One of the most beautiful spots in all Muskegon 
County is located in Eggleston Township and is 
the homestead of Mr. Carr. In the midst of a 
lovely grove of tall pine trees stands the cozy 
and commodious residence, seeming in the summer 
to sleep in the shadow of the foli.ige, while in the 
winter the UiU pines stand like sentinels guarding 
the cottage and its inmates. A short distance 
from the residence is Wolf Lake, a delightful bod^- 
of water, whose beauty is scarcely surpassed by 
any of the small lakes in northern Michigan. Its 
crystal depths abound with bars, perch and other 
varieties of the tinny tribe. 

For detailed information regarding the parent- 
age and ancestry of our subject, the reader is re- 
ferred to the sketch of William Carr, which is 
presented on another page of this volume. Oliver 



B. Carr was born in .Sheboygan County. Wis., No- 
vember 24, l«.');3, and is a son of William and 
Elizabeth ( Plum) Carr, natives of .Saratoga County, 
N. Y. lie spent his youth and early manhood at 
home until his father's death in IH'.KI. Since that 
time be has conducted farming operations for !iiin- 
self on the old homestead, which embraces one 
hundred and sixty acres of well-improved land, 
embellished with a largo barn and other substantial 
structures. 

September 18, 18U1, .Mr. Carr was united in 
marriage with Mrs. Mar^- (Hoffman) Clark, daugh- 
ter of Frederick and Elizabeth IU>ffinan, natives 
of Germany. One child has blessed the union, 
Frederick, who was born September 2, 1892. Soei- 
aily, Mr. Carr is a member of the M.asonic order, 
Lodge >«'o. 110, at Muskegon, of which his father 
was the oldest member, lie has (illed a number 
of prominent positions within the gift of his fel- 
low-citizens, and served as Township Clerk in 
1890 and 1891, He is possessed of many generous 
qualities, and is always ready and willing to en- 
courage every worthy enterprise. His domestic 
life is one of happiness, and the hospitality of the 
little home amid the pines is well known. 



lihM ^^^'^'^N W^ALSH, a le.iding merchant and 
Postmaster of Spring Lake, Ottawa Coun- 
ty, is a native of the Emerald Isle. He 
was born in Galloway C(junty, Ireland. 
November 9. 1831, and is a son of Patrick and 
Winnefred Walsh, who were also natives of the 
same land. They were farming people, and in the 
usual manner of farmer lads our subject pa.ssed 
his early boyhood and youth, the private schools 
affording him his educational privileges, .\fter 
leaving school he was apprenticed to a tanner and 
served a four-years term, after which he followed 
that business during the remainder of llis resi- 
dence in the land of his birth. Bidding good-bye 
to home and friends he sailed for the New Woi hi 



368 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



in 1854, landing in New York City, and going 
tlience to Oneida ('(luiity, N. Y.. wiicre lie I'c- 
ni.aint'd two years. In 18r)(), we find liim in Clii- 
cagu, and in tiie fall of the same year he came to 
Spring Lake, where lie remained until the break- 
ing out of the late war. 

On the 4th of October, 18(!1, Mr. Walsh was 
made a Commissary of the Fourtuenlh Michigan 
Infantry and assigned to the Army of the Cum- 
berland, serving as such until August 8, 1863, when 
he was promoted to the rank of Second Lieuten- 
ant. On the 14th of March, 186,"), he was com- 
missioned First Lieutenant and (Quartermaster, 
thus serving until mustered out on the IStli of 
.luly following, lie was always found at his post 
of duty, and his adopted land found in him an 
able defender. 

When the country no longer needed his serv- 
ices, Mr. Walsli returned to Spring Lake, cleared a 
farm and began fruit-raising, which he lias sijce 
successfully followed. He owns one hundred and 
twenty acres of good land, of which forty acres 
are in fruit, mainly gra|ies and liernes, winch he 
cultivates extensively. He has shipped as high .as 
eighteen hundred cases of berries to Milwaukee in 
one season, and this branch of his business has 
proved a profitable one. In 1867, he built a store 
in Spring Lake, where he carried on merchandis- 
ing for twelve years. He was then burned out, 
but with characteristic energy he rebuilt, and his 
general merchandise store is now one of tiie lead- 
ing establishments of the kind in Spring Lake. 
He carries a large and fine stock of goods and has 
built up an excellent trade, so that he is now do- 
ing a flourishing business. 

Turning from the public to the private life of 
Mr. Walsh, we note that in 18.)8 he was united in 
marriage with .Miss Elizabeth Lee, of .Spring Lake, 
a native of Ireland and a daughter of .John Lee. 
She died October 11, 1887, leaving five children, 
as follows: Winnefred, wife of 1). O. Watson, of 
Spring Lake; .lolin, -Joseph, Elizabeth and Will- 
iam. In .lanuary, 1889, Mr. Walsh was again 
married, his second union being with Mrs. Don- 
nell, of Muskegon. Their union has been blessed 
by two children, Dion and Edward. 

Our subject exercises his right of fiaiicluse in 



support of the Democratic party, of whicli he is a 

wtirm advocate. He served as President of the 
.School Hoard of Spring Lake for several years and 
in 18113 was apiiointed by President Cleveland to 
the ollice of Postmaster, which position he is now 
acceptably and faithfully filling. Socially, he is a 
memlier of the Royal Arcanum, and of Perkins 
Post No. 279, G. A. R. He is a public-si)irited 
and ])rogressive man and has the best interests of 
his ado|)ted city at heart. He gives his su|)port 
to all worthy public enterprises and does all in liis 
power to advance the general welfare. He is al- 
ways faithful to every trust, and whether in busi- 
ness, official or social life, he is ever an honorable, 
upright man, worthy the high esteem in which he 
is held. 



«^ 



=^ 



=^IL15ERT CHADDOCK, who is engaged in 




the practice of medicine in Muskegon, is a 
i|l native of the Empire State. He was born 
in Genesee County April 30, 1827, and is a son of 
Joseph and Polly (Terry) Chaddock, the former a 
native of New Hampshire and the latter of Massa- 
chusetts. The Cliaddock faniily is of English de- 
scent, and the Terry family is of Welsh origin. 
The maternal grandfather, Hiram Terry, was a 
soldier of the Revolutionary War. 

The Doctor spent his boyhood days in the State 
of his nativit}', and acquired his literary education 
in the public schools. Wishing to enter the medi- 
cal profession, he began studying with Dr. W. 
.Sawens, of Orleans County, N. Y., and subse- 
quently took a course of study in the Geneva 
Medical College. He then attended the University 
of HutTalo, from which he was graduated in I8,')3; 
he later spent seven years in Toledo, and in 1860 
he engaged in the practice of his chosen profession 
ill Hillsdale, Mich. During the following year lie 
eiitercMl the army as a surgeon, and was assigned 
to the Third Brigade, Second Division, Second 
Corps. There he did faithful service, remaining 
with his command duiing the remainder of tlie 
war. 




^ 





LuMAN Jen I s ON 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL liECORD. 



371 



In 1879 Dr. Chaddoek eanie to Muskegon, Micli., 
where he has since engaged in liio practice of his 
profession. He possesses skill and ability as a 
ph^'sician, and as the result of his merit he has 
succeeded in building up a large practice, wiiicii 
is well deserved. 

In 18C0 till' Doi'ior was united in marriage with 
Miss Anna Sinclair, wlio was tlicn living in To- 
ledo, Ohio, but is a native of Brooklyn, N. Y. 
Their union has been blessed with one son, Charles 
G. The Doctor has always been a public-spirited 
and progressive citizen, and one who nianifestsan 
active interest in everything pertaining to the 
welfare of the community in which he makes his 
home. He gives his support and cf)-opcration to 
all worthy enterprises, and his aid is never with- 
held from an object that he believes will prove of 
public benefit. He has alw.ays been a close student 
of his profession, kee|)s abreast with all llie dis- 
coveries and theories connected with the science, 
and has achieved an enviable reputation, receiving 
from the public a [latron.age which yields him a 
good income. 



A 









UMAN JKNl.SON, in whose honor the vil- 
I (@ '"o® of Jenison was named, and who is the 
^^ most prominent citizen of that thriving 
town, has extensive and valuable real-estate inter- 
ests in various portions of the State, and may 
properly be termed one of the eminent men of 
Alichigan. His ancestors were for several genera- 
tions residents of the Green .Mountain State, where 
his father, Lemuel, and his grandfather, .Tosiali, 
were both born. The (irst-named w.is there mar- 
ried to Miss Sarah Sanderson, and shortly after- 
ward removed to Mew York, becoming a pioneer 
of St. Lawrence County. 

In the fall of 1834 Lemuel Jenison became a 
resident f)f Michigan, and after a very short so- 
journ in Ann .\rboi came to Kent County, set- 
tling in a pinery three miles south r)f (irandville. 
Here he assisted his cousin, .\. .1. lirown, in the 
18 



erection of a sawmill, and afterward cut logs and 
did other pioneer work, making his home in that 
locality for two years. From there he removed to 
Georgetown Township and located on section 24, 
where he purchased an unimproved tract of land 
and made his home. Three years after going to 
that place he was killed by a falling tree. His wife 
passed away June 26, 1841. They were the par- 
ents of a large family of children, three of whom 
are now living, Luinan and Lucius (twins) and 
Betsey. The latter married Benjamin S. Hanchett, 
of Grand Rapids, and became the mother of three 
children: Lizzie, Benjamin .S., Jr..and Castella, Mrs. 
Priestley, who died in 1879. 

In St. Lawrence County, N. Y., our subject was 
born April 25, 1823. He attended school occasion- 
all3' prior to the age of eleven, but afterward had 
no educational advantages, excepting such as he 
gained by self-culture and observation. He ac- 
companied his parents to Michigan, and as the 
family was in reduced circumstances he was 
obliged to aid in the iiiaiiileiKince of the other 
children. In 1842 he commenced to tratlic with 
the Hollanders, and met with unexpected success, 
meantime also operating the home farm. 

Having accumulated a small amount of money, 
Jlr. Jenison purchased sixteen hundred acres 
where the village of .lenlson now stands, paying 
twelve shillings per acre for the property. As 
the water power was excellent and the facilities 
for milling all that coubi be desireil, he built a 
mill, and for twenty years su|)erintendc<i its man- 
agement. In 18().'? he tore down the old sawmill 
and began preparatioiis fur his present line Hour- 
mill, which was linished in the fall of 18(!1. This 
mill has a capacity of fifty barrels, is furnished 
with six rollers and all the modern conveniences, 
and cost when completed i(!l8,0(10. .Steady em- 
ployment is given to a force of live hands. 

Ipon the second water power, located a little 
below the first. Mr. Jenison built a steam sawmill, 
where he now employs twenty-live or thirty men. 
This mill also contains lirst-class modern improve- 
ments and cost #li'),(lOO. Although his milling 
interests are extensive and have deman<led his 
close alti'iilion, he has also found time for other 
large enterprises. For ten years he condueled a 



372 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



general store, doing an annual business of $25,000, 
and carrying a stock valued at %6,000. He also 
owns and operates a factory, machine-shop and 
foundrj-. where he manufactures railroad gates, 
crossings, frogs, switclics, switch stands, radiators, 
etc. The plant is worth 825,000, and employment 
is furnished to a large number of men. 

Mr. Jenison is the owner of a large boarding- 
house in .Jenison, and a blacksmith shop. He 
superintends the management of two hundred 
acres of farming laud near the village of .lenison, 
on wliicli he usually raises large crops of hay. He 
is the owner of four hundred and eighty acres 
where .Tenison now stands, and also owns fifteen 
of the buildings in tlie village. His property in- 
terests in other places include the ownership of 
the Day Plaster Mill at G rand ville, valued at %30,- 
000; the flour and feed store at Grandville, as well 
as an elegant residence in that city; a large 
amount of real estate at Grand Rapids; forty acres 
on Fisk Lake, upon which improvements have been 
placed amounting to ^1.").000, tlie property itself 
being worth S40,000; eight and one-fourth acres 
on Reed's Lake, valued at $15,000; twent3' lots 
on the west side of Grand Rapids, tlie estimated 
value of which is $20,000; nine hundred acres of 
land in Blendon Township, Ottawa County; and 
the home farm of two hundred and sixty .acies, of 
which two bundled acres have been brought to a 
high state of cultivation. 

Upon his homestead Mr. .Jenison platted the 
cemetery which bears his name and around wliich 
he has placed an iron fence costing *l,10(l. Here 
all the deceased members of his father's family' lie 
buried, and here he aud his twin brother (who has 
been associated with him in all his business enter- 
prises) are building a mausoleum, to cost at com- 
pletion $12,000. It is constructed of Barre gran- 
ite, and contains the family name in raised letters 
upon the front. The dimensions of the base are 
16x18 feet, and the height is fifleen and one-half 
feet. The sarcophagus will contain the inscription, 
in sunken letters, ''Built and designed by J. E. 
Harrison & Son, Adrian, Mich." The floor is inlaid 
with a neat pattern of black and white marble 
tile, with black border. The wainscoting is of 
red Tennessee marble, while the walls are of light 



veined Italian marble. There is a frieze of light 
cream and blue enameled tiles, and the ceiling is 
finished in white veined Italian marble. The 
sarcophagi, two in nuinber, are composed of light 
Italian marble, properly inscribed. The inside 
doors are of granite, with fixtures of standard 
copper bronze. The guards are strong brass tubes, 
each containing a bar of steel. 

The career of these twin brothers has in many 
respects been identical. Both started poor in 
[lurse but rich in hope, and lioth have worked 
their way steadily onward and upward to positions 
f)f prominence in the State. Both have remained 
unmarried, content to live the independent, 
though lonely, life of bachelors. Both are Demo- 
cratic in party principle, voting for the candi- 
dates of that party at every local or national elec- 
tion. Lucius gives his exclusive attention to the 
home farm, while Luman looks after the other 
large and valuable interests. Both are generous, 
kind-hearted and philanthropic, and contribute 
liberally to every worthy enterprise. Our sub- 
ject gave $1,000 to the Universalist Church at 
Grand Rapids upon the occasion of the building 
of the new edifice, and has also contributed gen- 
erously to other religious projects. During the 
late war he paid out $800 to secure substitutes for 
a number of poor men who had been drafted into 
the army. Socially, he atliliates with the Masonic 
fraternity. . 



^, (SALTER B. MORRISON, M. D, a popular 
\rJ// family pliysieian and surgeon of wide ex- 
*J7^ periencc, has been engaged for the past 
twenty-eight years in the active discharge of pro- 
fessional duties in the city of ^Muskegon, Mich., 
and the near vicinity, his practice extending over 
a large territory of patients, old and new. Our 
subject IS a native of the Wolverine State and 
wiis born in (Jiand Rapids May 6, 1838. His f.a- 
ther, Jefferson Morrison, a native of New York, 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



373 



early emigrated to the West, in 1834 joining the 
pioneer scltlers of Michigan and making his liome 
in Grand Rapids, where he pursued a mercantile 
business and yet resides, widely iiuown and highly 
respected l)v his large acijuaintance of many years' 
standing. Tiie motlier. Caroline A. (0111) Morri- 
son, likewise a native of Michigan, was horn in 
Port Huron, and was reared, educated and mar- 
ried within eas}' distance of iier birtliplace. Dr. 
Morrison passed the days of boyhot)d in Crand 
Hapi<ls and attended the excellent pulilic schools 
of his liome, laying the hroad foundations of a 
more extended education, lie prepared for col- 
lege in the High School, and in 18.J8 began read- 
ing medicine with Dr. D. W. Bliss. 

Dr. Bliss w.as then a prominent phj'sician of 
firand Rapids, but later, removing to Washing- 
ton, D. C, att,ained to eminence and was brought 
before the pul)lic in connection with the fatal ill- 
ness of President (iarlield, whom lie attended, car- 
ing for the terrible wuund whose frightful conse- 
quence tilled a nation with mourning. After 
reading medicine for two years, our subject en- 
tered the University at Ann Arbor and took a 
course of lectures. In 18(il Dr. Morrison, ani- 
mated by palrif>tisin, enlisted in Company K, 
Third Michigan Infantry, and was commissioned 
Assistant Surgeon of the regiment, under the com- 
mand of Col. Daniel McConnell, and assigned to 
-the Army of the Potomac. Our subject actively 
participated in the battles of Gettysburg, Fair 
Oaks, both battles of Bull Run, and the Wilder- 
ness, and, having served under (iraiil, was mus- 
tered o.ut in June, 1864, at Washington, I). C, 
then going into the hospital service in Washington. 
After the close of the war Dr. Morrison studied 
in the Long Island College Hospital, and, gradu- 
ating in the latter part of 18l).">. received his dip- 
loma and degree of M. D. The latter part of the 
same year our subject came to Muskegon and 
openetl the odicc where he has since continued to 
conduct successfully a general practice, although 
always paying especial attention to surgical oper- 
ations. 

During all these years kee()ing even pace with the 
advancement in the medical world. Dr. Morrison 
is a leading member of the Muskegon Medical As- 



sociation, anrl is well posted in the latest remedial 
appliances. Fraternally associated with Muskegon 
Lo<lge No. 140, A. F. A- -V. .M., our subject was 
Master of the same for two years. He is also a 
member of the Knights of Pythias, and has a host 
of friends within these honored orders. For six 
years Dr. Morrison was Surgcun of the West .Mich- 
igan Railroad, and gave most ellicient and valu- 
able service to the corporation. Politically a pro- 
nounced Democrat, he is deeply interested in 
local and national issues, but is in no sense of the 
word a politician, his time being devoted to the 
duties of his large practice. In 1871 our subject 
was married to Miss Harriet E. Moore, a native 
of Allegan}- County, N. Y., and a lady of worth 
and accomplishments. Mrs. Morrison is the daugh- 
ter of Hiram Moore, a man of prominence in the 
Empire State. The attractive residence of Dr. and 
Mrs. Morrison, well known to the gencrnl public, 
is located upon First Street, Muskegon, and is sur- 
rounded l)y the homes of many of the leading 
citizens. 



-^-^-h^l-- 



^ LIVER P. GORDON. Among the public- 
spirited and successful farmers of Ottawa 
County the name of Mr. Gordon, of Crock- 
ery- Towiishi|), stands foremost. For many years 
a resident of his present farm, he has succeeded 
in bringing it to a high state of cultivation, and 
has embellished it with a set of substantial build- 
ings adapted to rural use. At the time of it« (lur- 
cliase, about 1861, the property contained eiglity- 
eiglit acres of wild land, upon which scarcely a 
furrow had been turned, and the improvements 
now noticeable are the result of the indefatigable 
exertions of Mr. Gordon. 

In Clintf)n County, N. Y., in the township of 
Plattsburg, the subject of this biographical sketch 
was born July 1:5, lS2fi. His father, William Gor- 
don, was born in Connecticut, and in early man- 
hood enlisted as a soldier in the .American army 
during the War of 1812. Uy nvcupaliun he w;is 



374 



PORTRAIT AND lilOGRAI'HICAL RECORD. 



a farmer, and he also followed the trade of a 
carpenter, at which lie met with fair success. A 
man of energy and enterprise, his death, which 
occurre(i in New York when our subject was a 
lad of fourteen, was widely mourned, and it was 
felt that one of the most capable and honorable 
men of the locality had passed to his final reward. 
On his father's side he was of English descent, 
while his mother was a Scotchwoman. The mother 
of our subject, whose maiden name was Annie 
Tramblief, was born in France and died in New 
York, after having borne her husband nine chil- 
dren. 

The third in respect to age is the subject of this 
sketch. He was reared in Clinton County, N. Y., 
where in childhood he gained a rudimentary edu- 
cation in the common schools. Being obliged to 
assist in the support of the family, his attendance 
at school after he was ten _vears of age was limited 
to two months. On the 21st of August, 1851, he 
was united in marriage with Miss Cornelia E. 
Breau, who was born in Clinton County, N. Y., 
being the daughter of Peter and Esther Breau, na- 
tives respectively of France and England. Mr. 
and Mrs. Gordon were the parents of eleven chil- 
dren, one of whom is deceased. The}- are, Willard 
E., Etta A., (Jeorge, Belle, Harry, Frederick, Ella, 
Mabel, Richard, Grace and Flora. Hicliard is de- 
ceased. 

For a period of twelve years Mr. Gordon worked 
at the trade of a millwriglit in Clinton County, 
N. Y. In the fall of 18.55 lie came to Michigan 
and located at Lamont, where he resided for a time. 
About 1861 he purchased his present property, to 
the cultivation of which he has since given his 
attention. He has succeeded in clearing the en- 
tire tract, with tiie exception of about six acres. 
The farm is located ten miles from Grand Haven 
and one and one-lialf miles southwest of the vil- 
lage of Nunica. It is through economy and in- 
dustry that Mr. Gordon has achieved success as 
an agiiculturist, and to these qualities, combined 
witli euergy, he owes his prosperity. 

A Republican in political affairs, Mr. (iordon has 
been identilied with that party ever since its or- 
ganization, and is one of its leaders in iiis commu- 
nity. Ilislirst Presidential liallot wascast in 1848. 



For a number of terms he has served as Deputy- 
Siicriff, and lias also been Highway Commissioner, 
filling these positions with ability and to the en- 
tire satisfaction of his constituents. 






ARS SORENSON, a well-known agriciilliii- 
,., ,.„ ist of Holton Township, Muskegon County, 
J£_" — ^^N who resides on section 23, claims Denmark 
as the land of las birth, which occurred in the year 
1812. lie is a son of Sorcn and Hannah (I^arson) 
Johnson. His fatlier was a wagon-maker by trade, 
and followed that business in his early life, but 
through many years carried on farming. Of his 
family of eleven children the following survive: 
Caroline, who is the wife of John Anderson; Maiy, 
wife of Christian Sorenson; Greatt, who is now 
the wife of Chris Nelson; Treana, wife of John 
Larson; Paulina, vvife of Chris Johnson; and Lars, 
of this sketch. All these came to the United 
States. The parents of this family were members 
of the Lutheran Church. The father died in 1866, 
at the age of sixty-eight years. His widow still 
survives him, and is now living in this counliy 
at the age of seventy-five. 

In his native land our subject acquired a lim- 
ited education in the public schools, and was there 
reared to manhood. No event of special import- 
ance occurred during his youth, much of which 
was spent in arduous labor. He served in the 
Prussian War in 1864, and during the remainder 
of the time worked at farm labor. Ilavingarrived 
at man's estate, he chose as a companion and help- 
mate on life's journey Miss Siena Johnson, their 
union being celebrated in Denmark. Ere leaving 
their native land one child was born unto them, a 
son, John. 

It was in 1872 that Mr. Sorenson bade adieu to 
friends and native land and sailed with his family' 
for the New AVorld. Crossing the Atlantic, he 
landed in New York, and at once made his way to 
Michigan, locating in Ilolton Tt)wnship, Muske- 
gon County. Here he secured work on a railroad, 



FORTRAIT AND BKX5RAPinCAL RECORD. 



875 



and for one year was employed as a farm hand. 
Kiglit years of his life were then passed in tiic 
cm|)loy of Hlodijett it Byrns. Praeticinji; strict 
economy and carefulness during tiiat linii'. he was 
enabled to pureliase forty acies of land. Sulise- 
(liiently lie hoULrht another tract of forty acres, 
later an ailditioiial forty-acre trad, and at liisnext 
purchii^^e became the owner of .•^i.xly acres more. 
He now has seventy acres under a liigh state of 
cultivation, and his farm is well improved with 
all the modern accessories and ctinveniences. 

Since coming to this country, the union of our 
subject and his wife has been blessed with two 
children: Kmma, who died at the age of a jear 
and a-lialf; and Hans, who is still with his parentis. 
Mr. Sorenson is giving both of his sons good edu- 
cational advantages, thus lilting them for the 
practical and responsible duties of life. The elder 
is a graduate of the Commercial College of Big 
Kapids, and the younger is now a student at the 
same school. The i)nreiils and their family are 
members of the I.utlier:ni Church, n\\i\ all are 
highly res|)ected people, who have many warm 
friends throughout the community. Our subject 
exercises his right of franchise in support of the 
Republican jiarty. He ha> lived a frugal and in- 
dustrious life, and as the result of his good man- 
agement and well-directed efforts, he has acquired 
a comfortable competence, and need never have 
occasion to regret his emigration to the New 
World. 



13 




B. CIirRCH, an iiillucntial resident of 
; Muskegon County, and a successful agri- 



culturist of Laketon Township, owning 
^^ and operating a farm on section 2, was 
born in Lysander, Onondaga County. N. Y., ,\pril 
V 16, 1821. His father, Marvij, and his grandfather, 
Silas Church, were both natives of Vermont, where 
the latter passed his entire active life. The foinier, 
who was a carpenter and j<iiner by trade, removed 
in an early day to New York and followed his 
chosen occupation at various places in the Krapire 



State. He there married Miss Martha, daughter 
of .Tohn Snethen. and a native of New York, her 
ancestors being (lerman. 

The eldest of nine children, the subject of this 
sketch accompanied his father in his various re- 
movals, and resided in New York .State until he 
was eighteen. Coming to Michigan with his fa- 
ther in 1H39, he worked at the tiadeof a carpenter 
in Boston Township. Ionia County, where he re- 
sided for many years. In \Hl\ he was united in 
marriage with Miss Delia Train, who wa-s born and 
reared in Tunbridge, \'t. Their congenial union 
has been one of mutual helpfulness and aid, and 
they have worked side by side for the welfare of 
their family. They have been the parents of nine 
children, as follows: Horace, who enlisted in the 
Union Army during the Civil War, and died while 
in active service; Eustice E., who resides on the 
old homestead in Boston Township, Ionia County, 
and is one of the most prominent men of the 
county; Louisa, wife of .loseph Bainc, a resident 
of I'etoskey, Mich.; Frances E., who married Col- 
liorn Osgood and makes her home in Hastings, 
this State; Calvin, who lives in (ialesburg, Mich.; 
Dayton M.. who married Miss Ella Curtis and re- 
sides with his parents in Laketon Township; 
George G., of Grand Haven, Mich.: .laivis T., de- 
ceased; and Kittie, who passed away when ten 
months old. The children who attained mature 
j-ears were the recipients of excellent educational 
advantages, and they are all prominent citizens of 
their various communities. 

After his marriage .Mr. Church settled on a farm 
in Boston Township, Ionia County, where for 
thiity-cight years he engaged in tilling the toil, 
and where now his eldest son conducts agricul- 
tural operations. He brought the land under ex- 
cellent cultivation and embellished the place with 
a set of substantial buildings. In l,S7i) he removed 
to Kent County, Mich., where he resided for a 
number f)f years. His residence in Laketon Town- 
ship, .Muskegon Countv, dates from the year lHb7. 
Here he and his wife own a farm, comprising two 
hundred acres of linely-improved land, on which 
he engages in raising the various cereals adapted 
to this section of the State. 

.Since the organization of the Republican party, 



376 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Mr. Cliurcli lias been identifiecj with it, giving his 
support to its piinci|)les and canciidatcs. Piior to 
that, he liad l)een a Wliig. For six successive 
years lie served as a Iligiiway Commissioner in 
Ionia County, and he aiso occujiied otiier local 
positions, in all of which he served with fidelity 
and loyally the interests of the peoi^le. 




,,^. NTHONY JASPER. The gentleman whose 
(^/yll name heads this sketch and who is now 
li' successfully engaged in that calling which 
has received the attention of man since the 
world began — farming — comes of sturdy, thrifty 
and honest German stock, and he himself was born 
in tlie Old Country, at Barton, on the 29tli of 
Miirch, 1833, his parents being Michael and Ther- 
esa Jasper, industrious people and fairly well-to- 
do ill worldly goods. In 184(j the pa rents decided 
to come to America, and braving the then long 
and toilsome, as well as dangerous, ocean voyage 
witli their sons, they landed at Xew York Cit\- in 
due time, but only remained there a very short 
time, rightly judging that the West offered them 
better inducements than the already populous 
Eastern States. The}' took up their residence in 
Wisconsin, but lived to enjoy their new home only 
a short time, leaving three sons, from thirteen 
to twenty years of age, to earn their living as best 
they could among strangers and in a strange 
land. Of these sons, Frank, the sei'ond-born, 
went to Colorado in 1841), and was living there 
when last heard from; Frederick resided in Wis- 
consin for three years after the death of his fa- 
ther, then went AVest and was never afterward 
heard from; and Anthony is the immediate subject 
of this memoir. 

Two years after the death of his father, .\nthony 
made his wa}' Southward, and in IHIG found him- 
self in Ottawa County, ."Mich., with but ^18 in his 
pocket, a total stranger to all within its borders. 
lie, however, possessed the dogged perseverance 



and energy for which the German people liave al- 
ways been noted, and was not at all discouraged 
b}' the fact that his capital was small, his knowl- 
edge of the country and its people was limited, 
and that he was without emplo\'nient and a mere 
boy — only fifteen years of age. He soon suc- 
ceeded in obtaining employment in the logging 
camps at -^13 per month, and although the work 
was very laborious it brought him a living, and 
he continued to follow it for one year. He then 
began making shingles on shares at -^2 per thou- 
sand, and being quick and energetic he succeeded 
in accumulating quite a goodly sum of money, which 
he put aside for a "rainy day." Later he received 
for his work >52.50 per thousand. During the 
most of this time he was very much troubled with 
chills and fever, but he kept manfully at his work, 
and in time overcame this drawback to early civ- 
ilization. 

In 1857 he purchased with nioney earned by his 
own unceasing efforts the farm on which he is 
now living, which then amounted to eighty 
acres of heavil^'-timliered land. This timber he 
felled and logged to the river, where he peeled 
the most of it, selling the bark for from 82 to-S5.50 
per cord, and using the timber to make his barns, 
out-houses an<l residence, which was a two-story 
structure containing ten rooms, a fine residence 
for those days. lie has since increased his farm to 
one hundred and twenty acres, eighty acres of 
which are under a fine state of cultivation, and 
show a thrift, neatness and pleasing appearance 
generally that show at once what manner of man 
is the owner. Mr. Jasper has been married twice, 
first in 1858 to Charlotte Boosenbork, of Water- 
loo County, N. Y., to which union three children 
were given: Frank. Alice and Walter, the latter 
being deceased. Mrs. Jasper died in 1805, a mem- 
ber of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and the 
following year iNIr. Jasper married Mrs. Phd-be 
Smith, nee Durham, of Seneca County, N. Y., a 
daughter of AVilliam Durham, and this unitm has 
resulted in the birth of five children: Charles, 
Carrie, Warren, Fannie and M.ay. Mrs. Jasper is 
a member of the Wcsleyan Methodist. Church. 
Mr. .lasper is a stockholder in the creamery at Al- 
lendale Center, which is the largest one in the 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRiVPIIirAI, RKPORD. 



377 



county. The German way of spelling his name 
was .Jai-sper, hut upon bccoiiiini^ a citizen of the 
United States he began spelling it tlie Knglisii 
way and has so continued ever ^inl•e. 



- ■~'W 



^:^>-^-^^^- 



f'HOMAS i;. WIDOl-:, a practical clothing 
'([^^ merchant, prosperously- conducting one of 

the largest establishments in his line of 

trade iu Muskegon County, Jlich., has for many 
years been a prominent and prosperous resident of 
Whitehall, of wiiich village he is an efticient 
Trustee, widely known and highly esteemed. Our 
subject was horn in (iiicid, Ohio, Xoveniber 12, 
1858, and was the youngest child of the late John 
Widoe, born in Pennsylvania, and the second 
eldest of four brothers. The paternal grandfather, 
by liirth a German, became a citizen of the United 
States early in life, making his home in the 
Quaker State. His eldest son Stephen, a farmer 
by occupation, journeyed to Oiiio, and died in 
that State niany years ago. Leonard w.as an 
otilcer in the army (hiring the Civil War. Later 
he settled in (irand Kapids, and, an expert in 
handling tools, established a machine shop and ac- 
cumulated quite a large fortune. lie passed away 
in Grand Rapids many years ago. .Jesse L., after 
giving faithful service as a soldier, at the close of 
the Civil War settled in (irand Rapids and became 
the successful proprietor of a llouring-mill.- He 
w.as extensively- engaged iu speculation in real es- 
tate and lost two or three fortunes before his 
death in (irand Rapids in IK87. Catherine, the 
eldest daughter of the grandfather, married Jacob 
Ilarnish, an energetic faimer near Grand Rapids, 
and now lives at (irandville, Mich. 

The fatlier, .lohn Wi<loe, left home wiien only 
lifteen 3'ears of age, and learned the stove-mould- 
er's trade. From tliat time he was iiis own master 
and thoroughly self-reliant, hut his education was 
necessarily limited. From his birthplace the 
father went to (lilead, Knox County, Ohio, and 
following his trade made an excellent living. 



Twice MKinicil, lie had as issue of the first union a 
son an<l a daughter. The son, George Wuloe, is a 
man of high cultivation, and an chxitient |u-eacher 
of Ohio. The daughter, Mary, married a celebrated 
wood-carver, one of the (inest in the country, and 
with her husband is located in Ohio. After the 
death of the mother of these two children the 
father married Mrs. .Susan Shults, a widow with 
two children. Kate married Kdward F. Wadleigh, 
a carpenter, who died in Whitehall, leaving his 
widow and one child, Gertrude, now with her 
mother in their old home. Edward .Shults went 
to Ashle3', Wis., and there, marrying, settled on a 
farm, and linaiicially prospered has amassed a 
competence, and is enabled to provide liberally 
for his large family of children. The marriage of 
John and Susan (.Shults) W'idoe was blessed hy the 
birth of three children, twosons and one daughter. 
John F., the eldest, when sixteen years of age had 
charge of his father's clothing store at Montague, 
and since 1873 has been in the clothing business 
in Hart. lie is a man of superior business ability 
and one of the most successful merchants in this 
l)ail of the State, lie married Jliss Cora Eastman,. 
and lias one cliild, a daughter, I va. 

Ida K. Widoe, a sister of our subject, married 
.lames .1. (ice, a wealthy li.udware merchant of 
Wliiteh.ill. Thomas 15. was the youngest of the 
family. The father, after working some time at 
his trade in Ohio, engaged in the grocery business. 
Arriving in Michigan in about 18)jl, he settled in 
Ionia, where he devoted himself to the clothing 
business with the most prolitable results, but at 
the end of a twelvemontii removed to Oraiid 
Rapids. In the latter city he handled clothing 
for nine years, and also operated a store at Mon- 
tague, managed by his son .lohn F. In 1871, the 
store at (irand Rapids was burned out, the greater 
part of the stock being a total loss. The father 
then removed to Whitehall and with enterprise 
resumed business, which he carried on until about 
two years before his death, in 1890. Politically, 
John Widoe, Sr., was a Democrat, but never 
sought ollice. He was, fraternally, a member of 
the Independent Older of Odd Fellows, and, uni- 
versally respected, was deeply mourned when he 
passed from among the commuuity where his 



378 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



genial presence bad so long been a familiar one. 
Tlie molln'r, yet surviving, resides in WliitelKiii. 
Tlionias H. Widoe enjoyed excellent cdiicatioDal 
advantages, attending the schools of Grand Rapids 
and Whitehall, and completing bis studies with a 
course of instruction in a business college. Soon 
after reaching twenty years of age our subject be- 
gan clerking in bis father's store in Wbiteball and 
later became a partner. Immediately' succeeding 
his father's retirement from active duties, in 1888, 
Mr. Widoe associated himself with the Hon. H. E. 
Staples in the same business. Energetic, ambitious 
and enterprising, be has made a financial success of 
his work in life. In 1880, Thomas B. Widoe and 
Miss Jennie E. Basom were united in marriage. 
Mrs. Widiie, an accomplished lad^-, is the niece of 
Hon. H. E. Staples, who reared and educated her. 
Two of the three children born unto this union 
now survive. Hiram D., the eldest, died at the 
age of three years. Edna Ma^' is six years old. 
Tliomas Russell has just passed his first birthday. 
Our subject is a valued member of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church, and, fraternally, is prominently 
connected with the Ancient Free <fe Accepted 
Masons, being the present master of the Blue 
Lodge at Whitehall and a member of the Mus- 
kegon Chapter and Commandery. Politically, 
Ml-. Widoe is a strong Democrat and is widely 
known as a liberal-spirited man, generous in his 
impulses and ever read3- to do bis full share in all 
matters of general welfare. 



W- fcw>-y I- 



'?/ EWIS W. GII.L. Many years have come 
I (iS) and gone since a little home in New York 
JLAX ^ w.,s l)righteiied by the birth of a first-born 
child. Nearly four-score summers have come with 
their flowers and fruits, and as many winters with 
their frosts and snOws, and time in its flight has 
seen the <!hild grow into the sturdy lad, the manly 
youfh, the successful farmer and the venerable 
man. Now in the twilight of his useful life, he 
can b(ok u))on the past without reraorse,and upon 



the future without fear. The heritage of an hon- 
orable life, unspotted by aught that would mar its 
[lurlty, such will descend as his legac3' to his pos- 
ter it}'. 

Madison County, N. Y., was the birthplace of 
Mr. Gill, and September 1, 1817, the date of his 
birth. He was the eldest child of .Samuel and 
Sarah (Plum) Gill, natives of Massachusetts. Dur- 
ing the opening years of the present centurv, the 
schools of the Empire .State were primitive both in 
appearance and in mode of instruction, the houses 
being rudel}' constructed of logs, with puncheon 
floors and slab benches upheld by wooden pins; 
apertures in the wall covered with greased paper 
answered the purpose of windows, and the chimney 
was made of mud and sticks. The textbooks were 
few in number, consisting principally of the old- 
fashioned "blue-back" spelling book, the Testament, 
and an arithmetic, from which the pupil learned to 
figure. Amid such surroundings as these, our sub- 
ject gained his primary knowledge of the "three 
R's," but the information there obtained has been 
since supplemented by careful and systematic 
reading upon all subjects of general interest. 

At the age of about twenty years, Lewis W. 
Gill commenced in active life for himself, and for 
a time followed the occupation of a farmer in the 
Empire State. Thence, in 1857, he removed to 
Michigan, and, coming to Ottawa County, settled 
upon the farm where he has since made his home. 
He cleared the land, improved the farm, and grad- 
ually introduced first-class improvements, thereby 
greatly enhancing the value of the pl.ace. Henow 
conducts general farming uiion the forty acres 
which he has placed under cultivation. He is a 
man of prominence in his community, and in ])oli- 
tics aililiates with the Democrats. His fellow-citi- 
zens have chosen him to rejiresent them in various 
positions of responsibility, and in all of these posts 
of duty he has served with efliciency and success. 
While filling the po.sition of Roadmaster. he was 
enabled to contribute materially to the promotion 
of the best interests of the township, and the line 
roads here are due in no small measure to his la- 
bors. 

The marriage of Mr. (Jill occurred in 1811, and 
united him with Miss Lydia Eddy, who at that 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



381 



time resided in Wvoniins; Coiintv. N. Y. Tliis 
venerable couple celebrated their golden wed<iing 
on tlie 7t,h of October, 1891, at wliicli lime they 
were the recipients of the congriitulations f)f hosts 
of warm personal friends, to whom they had en- 
deared themselves diirino; all the years of their 
residence in tins locality. They have been the 
parents of three children, two of whom are now 
living. Ophelia became the wife of .McMasler Br3'- 
ant, and makes her home in Coo|)er, Kalamazoo 
County, ihisState. Amelia niariied Hichard Chap- 
pel, and resides in Ottawa County. 



-' N 



lOKLOF VKNKKLASKN, interested in an 
,'{( extensive brickyard in Zeeland, and one of 
i4i W the successful men of Ottawa County, was 
born on section 23, Holland Township, this 
count}', June 10, 1856, being a son of Berend J. 
and Albertjc (Weurding) Veneklasen. His pater- 
nal grandfather, .lohn II., was a son of ,Iohn A'en- 
eklasen, a farmer residing in Overschie, Holland, 
who was twice married, by his first union becom- 
ing the father of two sons and one daughter, and 
by his second marriage having four sons and one 
daughter. 

In Holland, the land of his birth, .John II. 
Venekla.sen ffdiowcd the trade of a biickmakcr. 
In the spring of 1847 he emigrated to the United 
States, and after a voyage of thirty-seven days 
landed at Baltimore, on the 22d of .Vpril. Dur- 
ing the latter part of May he reached Holland 
Township. Ottawa County. Mich., and at once 
made a settlement on section 27, where he pur- 
chased forty acres. He gave his attention to clear- 
ing the land and tilling the soil, and met with 
success, being the owner of sixty acres at the time 
of his death, December 15, 1877. l*ip|itii-.illy, he was 
a Democrat, firm in his allegiance to party prin- 
ciples. He aided in the organization of the Re- 
fornicd Church, of which he was a prominent 
meinlier. 



I'nto John H. ^'eneklasen and his good wife, 
whose maiden name was Alice \'an Linger, were 
born three sons and live daughters who lived to 
maturity, viz.: Berend .1., Johannas. (Jertrude. 
Ilendreka, Jenneke, Peter, Diekje and Jane. At 
the present time three sons and two daughters 
are living. The mother passed away August 12, 
1817, at the age of forty-five. The father of our 
subject was born .hine 21, 1828, and accompanied 
his parents to the I'nited States, settling with 
them in Holland Townshii), Ottawa County, Mich,, 
where he received a fair education. For a short 
lime he worked in a brickyard at Allegan, and 
lalei- spent one summer at Orand Haven, where 
he engaged in loading vessels. 

In 1849 Berend J. ^'enekla5en opened a brick- 
yard in connection with his father, and during 
the first year manufactured fifty thousand liricki?. 
In 1892 the firm was under thfe name of the Zee- 
land Brick Company, which now has yards at 
Zeeland, Cloverdalc and Hamilton, having two at 
the first-named place. Employment is given to a 
large number of men, varying from fifty in the 
dull season to two hundred in the busy season. 
The 3-ard is never closed, and the entire output 
aggregates twenty million of brick annually. The 
industry is one of the most nourishing in the 
county, and the success to which it has attained is 
the result of the untiring labors of the X'aneklasens, 
father and sons. 

In |i()litics, our subject's father is a Democrat, 
and on the ticket of his party has been elected to 
the position of I'lesident of the village. Highway 
CommissioiK T, and oilier places of trust, in all of 
which he has served with elliciency and success. 
In religious matters he is identified with the Re- 
formed Church, to the support of which he is a 
generous contributor. He and his estimable wife 
are the parents of the following-named children: 
John, Roelof, Albertus, Henr^-, Peter, Benjamin, 
Albert, Oarretl and Mary O. Ilendreka is (h'ccased. 
The mother of these children was Inirn August 
17, 18.'U, and is the daughter of Uoelof and Alice- 
(Boer) Weurding, who emigrated to the I'liited 
States in 18 1!) and settled in Allegan County, 
Mich., Mr. Weurding becoming a farmer there. 

During his youth the subject of this sketch at- 



382 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



tended the Kalamazoo Business College, and was 
the recipient of good advantages. At the age of 
ten he commenced to work in his father's brick- 
yard and has ever since been interested in the 
business, being the present Secretary and Treas- 
urer of the company. The j'ards have an annual 
output of forty million bi'icks, common and pressed, 
and shipments are made to Chicago, Traverse 
City, Battle Creek, and otlier large places, where 
a ready sale is made at favorable prices. Though 
an active Democrat. Mr. Veneklasen has always 
refused official lionois, [(referring to devote his 
attention to his business. lie is interested in edu- 
cational matters, and lias served as a member of 
the Board of Education. In religious preferences 
he affiliates with the Reformed Church. 

November 29, 1879, Mr. Veneklasen was united 
in marriage with Miss Nellie Moerdyke, who was 
boin in Kalamazoo, Mich., and is the daughter of 
James and Mary (Faas) Moerdyke, emigrants of 
1849 from Zeeland, Holland. Mr. and Mrs. Van- 
eklasen are the parents of six children, viz.: Al- 
bertha, Mary M., Bernard J., James T., Jennie 
H. and Nellie Elida Elizabeth. The family occu- 
pies a prominent position in the social circles of 
the community, and is one of the foremost in 
the village. 



■ g (j^ 




/RANKLIX PIERCE STAMP, M. D., a suc- 
cessful general medical practitioner and 
skillful surgeon, enjoying the confidence 
of a wide .acquaintance in JIuskegon, Mich., is 
thoroughly at home in various details of his pro- 
fession, and, taking a high i)lace among his brother 
physicians, has won his upward way to an enviable 
position as a doctor and man of enterpri.se. Dr. 
Stamp is a native of the Wolverine State and was 
born in Cass County, March 23, 18.")3. His fa- 
ther, David F. Stamp, born in the Ivnpire .State, 
and a man of energy and ambitious purpose, early 
emigrated to the West, and was numbered among 
the pioneer settlers of Michigan, locating in Cass 



County in 1832, when the country thereabout 
was literally a howling wilderness, infested witli 
Indians and bands of wild game, which roamed at 
their pleasure through the dense tiinberland of the 
State. The home upon the frontier was near 
Mottville, and distant from neighbors, who were 
then few and far between. The paternal ancestors 
were sturdy Germans, who, crossing the Atlantic, 
settled in New York in a very early day in the 
history of the United States. The mother, in 
maidenhood Miss Amelia Ilartman, was a native 
of Pennsylvania, her forefathers also being of 
German birth, and among the patriotic citizens 
who aided in the settlement of the Quaker State. 

Di-. Stamp was reared in his birthplace, and when 
a little lad attended the common schools of Cass 
County. As he approached manhood, he deter- 
mined to gain a profession, and to that end clerked 
in a drug store six j-ears, at the same time devot- 
ing every spare moment to reading medicine. In 
the fall of 1873, he entered the University of Ann 
Arbor, and for two years gave his entire time to 
the study of his profession. He then returned to 
his former preceptor in Mottville, and practiced 
medicine for two 3'ears with gratifj'ing results. 
In the spring of 1877 our subject, wishing to avail 
himself of eveiy opportunity' of increasing his 
stock of knowledge, and thereby more thoroughly 
fitting himself for his responsible work in life, 
matriculated at the Cincinnati IMedical College, 
and graduated with honor from that institution 
the same j-ear. Dr. Stamp immediately after 
winning his diploma began his professional career 
in Cooi)ersville, Ottawa County, and remained in 
that locality until 1880, when he entered upon a 
steady and increasing round of practice in Mus- 
kegon. He at first devoted himself almost en- 
tirely tt) the cares of the family physician, but has 
of late made a specialty of surgery, and in this 
branch of his practice has gained an extended 
reputation. 

Keeping himself fully abreast of the times, our 
subject was one of tiie charter members of the 
Western Michigan Medical Association, and is now 
Examining Surgeon for Union Tent No. 379, 
K. O. T. M. Dr. Stamp is likewise a member of 
i St. Josepii Valley Lodge No. 56, at Mottville, 



I'ORTRAIT AND Bl.DGRAPHlCAL RECORD. 



883 



Cass County. lie lias also long been connected witli 
the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and in 
these various orders as well among liis professional 
acfjuaintancc has a host of friends. In 1K76, 
Franklin I'Lcrce Stamp and Miss Maj^fgie Bresna- 
lian were united in niairiage. Mrs. Stamp was a 
resident of Ottawa County, and a daughter of 
John IJresnahan, a native of Ireland. Two 
children, a son and daughter, Edward F. and Ver- 
nie A., blessed the union of our subject and his 
fii-st wife. Dr. Stamp, marrying a second time, 
then wedded, April 26, 1893, his present wife, 
Miss Jennie (iillan.an aecompliylied lady and a na- 
tive of Ontario, Canada. The handsome home, 
located on Western Avenue, is one of the pleas- 
antest in the city and is well known to the residents 
of Muskegon and the surrounding neighborhood. 
Already professionally prost)ered, the increasing 
practice of our subject gives assurance of a still 
wider field of usefulness and testifies to the thor- 
ough appreciation of the general public. 






«^***+F 



itpTT'RAXK MANGOLD, an enterprising busi- 

f^^fej ness man and experienced jeweler of 
Whitehall, .Mich., is a native of the city of 
Freising, Bavaria, and was born April 2, 1849. 
His father, John Mangold, likewise a Bavarian, was 
born in Rheinpfalz in 1811. .\ saddler by trade, 
the father was for nearly forty years connected 
with the Bavarian army, serving in the First and 
Second Cavalry in the capacity of a saddler. lie 
amassed quite a fortune, and died in 1888 in 
Rliein|)f!ilz, seventeen years after his retirement 
from the army on a life pension. The mother f>f 
our subject, Mary (Hohrraeier) .Mangold, was born 
in I.andschutt. I'.avaria, and was the daughter of a 
carpenter. .V brollier of Mrs. Mangold, Caver 
Uolirineier, was for many years a soldier in the 
Bavarian ai my, serving with rare bravery. The (lar- 
ents were blessed by the i)re.-eiice of four children, 
two sons and two daughters. Walburga. the eldest, 
married Henry Bold, a prominent merchant in 



Ilermesberg, where she died November 1, 1892, 
leaving no issue. Mary, the second sister, (lassed 
away when she was but fourteen years old. John, 
a shoemaker by trade, came to America in 1868, 
and is now a resident of Portland, Ore. The 
mother, at an advanced age, still makes her home 
in the Old Country. 

At thirteen 3'ears <jf age Frank .Mangold left 
school and went to Mosburg to learn the trade of 
a watch-maker. Having faithfully served an ap- 
prenticeship of three years, he located .as a journey- 
man watch-maker in Erding, a small village not 
far from his birthplace. He remained there but a 
short time, next removing to Wurtemberg, on the 
Tech, in Baden. Later he settled in F\irtli, Bavaria, 
and afterward located in Pheffenhauser, from 
which place he finally departed for Freising. 
October 6, 1870, our subject entered the army, in 
the King of Bavaria's own regiment, and, enlisting 
as Corporal, was soon promoted to the position of 
Sergeant and as such courageously served until 
liisdiscliargc,July 31, 1873. Having distinguished 
himself by gallant conduct, Mr. Mangold is now 
the proud possessor of a medal, presented to him 
for braver^' on the battle-field by the Bavarian gen- 
eral in the war with France, and which he will leave 
as a bequest to his heirs. After leaving the army 
in which he made so enviable a record, it did not 
take our subject long to decide upon trying his 
fortunes in the land of yet greater promise beyond 
the sea, and in October, 1873, he sailed from 
Havre for America. Reaching the I'nited Stales 
in safety and landing in New York Cit\ , Mr. Man- 
gold made but a brief stay in the Hmpire .State, 
soon journeying to Michigan, his deslinalion 
being Montague, where his brother John had 
located five years previous. 

Mr. Mangold at first opened a watch-shop, but 
spent f)nly a short time in thit line of trade, as he 
was then unable to make it pay. For several sea- 
sons he worked in the sawmills and in the lumber 
camps, and for five ^ears received employment in 
a (knirmill. In 1882, he again engaged in the 
jewelry business, opening a shop in Whitehall. 
This enterprise junved very successful, and since 
our subject has established a prosperous trade with 
excellent financial results, and is now the leading 



384 



i'ORTRAlT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



jeweler in Iiis locality. April 11, 1875, Frank 
Mangold and Miss Louisa Sclirader were united in 
marriage. Seven children have brigiitenod with 
their merry presence the pleasant home. The six 
sons and one daughter are in tlie order of their 
birth, John, Louie, Fiank, Albert, Ernil, Henry and 
• Hedwich, all of whom have received the advan- 
tage of the best educational facilities afforded in 
tlicir locality. Politically. Mr. Mangold is a 
strong Democrat, but, without aspirations for 
public oftice, is content to do his duty at tlie polls. 
Fraternally, he is associated with the Ancient 
Free & Accepted Masons, and is also a member of 
the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and has 
been Noble Grand. Witliin these honoi'ed orders 
our subject has a host of friends and likewise com- 
mands the higli respect and esteem of all who 
know him as a business man, neighl)or and citi- 
zen. 

\^ «^ «^ 4* 



•"•^=•^^=^• 



^ DWIN THATCHER, an agriculturist of 
j) Ravenna Township, and one of the most 
/iL^ prominent citizens of Muskegon County, 
was born in Harford, Susquehanna County, Pa., 
March 28, 1825. His father, John, and his grand- 
father, John Tliatcher, Sr., were both natives 
of Attleborough, Mass., the former havino been 
born July 20, 1787. Our subject's great-grandfa- 
ther, tlie Rev. Peter Thatcher, was a minister in 
the Congregational Church, and for many years 
resided about twenty miles from Boston. 

John Tliatcher, the father of our subject, re- 
ceived a good education in the common schools 
of Attleborough, and upon attaining manhood 
selected for his life vocation the calling of a farm- 
er, at which he was eng.'iged until his death, No- 
vemlKT IH, IHdo. His entire life was spent in the 
village of his birth. Tiiere lie married Miss Sallie 
Moore, and to tiiem six children were born, Edwin 
being the next to the youngest. Four are still liv- 
ing, as follows: Azir, who resides in Harford, Pa., 
al tlie age of seventy -seven years ( 181t3); Eldred, 



a resident of Downer's Grove, 111., who is now 
seventy-five years old; Editha, the wife of Lueien 
B. Taft. of Harford Pa., and now seventy-three 
3'ears of age; and our subject, who is sixty-eight. 

In Harford, Pa., Edwin Thatclier received his 
education, which was sufficient to enable iiim, at 
the age of nineteen, to begin teaching. He fol- 
lowed that profession in Pennsylvania until 1866, 
when he came to Michigan. Prior to his removal 
to this State, he enlisted as a member of the Fifty- 
second Pennsylvania Infantr}', in which he served 
until the close of the war, and upon being mus- 
tered out of service returned to Pennsylvania. In 
the spring of 1866 he settled in Ravenna Town- 
ship, Muskegon Count}', where he purchased a 
farm, and in connection with the conduct of agri- 
cultural pursuits also taught school until 1872. 

Elected to the position of County Superinten- 
dent of Schools in 1872, Mr. Thatcher served with 
efficiency and to the satisfaction of the jieople. 
Upon the expiration of his term of office, he re- 
turned to the farm, where he has since resided. In 
the spring of 1871 he was elected to the office of 
Supervisor, and served three years, during which 
time (in 1872) he was elected County Superinten- 
dent. A few years after the close of his term of 
office, he was again elected Supervisor, in 1882, 
serving until 1887, at which time his son, Frank 
E., was elected to the same office, retaining the [lo- 
sition for five years. Edwin Thatcher while Su- 
pervisor was elected Chairman for four years. 

The marriage of Mr. Thatcher united him with 
Miss Catherine S., daughter of Tyler and Mary 
(Graham) Carpenter, their wedding being cele- 
brated September 27, 18-1!). Six children have 
been born of tliis union: Fred A., who married 
Tlierza Rockwell, and lives in Ottawa County; 
Annabelle, who married Walter S. Avcrill, and re- 
sides in Ottawa, this State; Amanda P., who is the 
wife of Grenville Rockwell, and lives in Ottawa 
Count}-; Frank E., who married Sarah J. Bennett, 
and makes his home in lOlk Rapids; Eldred F., 
j who married Miss Lena Keas, and lives in Muske- 
gon, Mich.; and Jennie K., the wife of .lames K. 
Rockwell, and a resident of Ottawa County. 
Frank E., as above stated, served for some time as 
I one of the Supervisors of Muskegon County, and 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



385 



was Chairman of the Board for one year. He lias 
been a memlu'r of the Lejiislatiire, havino; over- 
come tlie Ufiual majority of )<ix hiuifhod and sixty 
in his county. 

A Democrat of life-lonji standiiij;. Mr. Thatcher 
has lal)()red iinwcariedly in tlie interet^ts of iiis 
party, suinjorting its candidates and pniiciples 
witii unwavcriiiii lideiity. lie is identitied, so- 
cially, with Kavcniia l.odije No. .'537, G. A. U., in 
which he is inlhu'iitial and prominent. Before 
leavint; Pennsylvaniti, he was elected Commission- 
er of his county, and served in that responsible 
position acceptably to his fellow-citizens, being the 
inuuinbent of the odice for three years. 



c^ 



^-^ 



t^- 



CS" 



""S 



^SCAU M. SIIEHBIRNK. Among the old 
soldiers and successful farmers of Blendon 

^ Township, Ottawa County, Mich., stands 
the name of Oscar M. .Sherburne, an honest, iiij- 
right man, courteous in his intercourse with his 
fellow-men and possessed of more than average 
intelligence. Lil<e so many of the representative 
citizens of the county, he claims New York as his 
native State, his birth occurring in Chenango 
County March 28, 18.34. lie was one of three 
children born to the union of S. W. and .Vni;iiida 
(Root) .SiiiM-luune, also natives of tlie Empire 
State. The parents left their native State at an 
early date and turned their faces towards the set- 
ting sun, locating in Cleveland, Ohio, where they 
remained for eight j-cars. From tliere they re- 
moved to DeKalb County, 111., l)ul live or six 
years later came to Ottawa County, .Mich. This 
was in 1854, and they settled in IJlendon T(jwn- 
ship, where the father was engaged in contracting 
and building. lie erected the lirst mill for the 
Ohio Lumber Company and many of the lirst 
frame residences in Blendon, as well as in adjoin- 
ing townships, lie was engaged in contracting and 
building until his death, which occurred in IHhl, 
at the age of seventy -six. 

S. W. .Sherburne was twice married, his lirst wife 



dying in 1830. His second marriage was with 
Miss Elizabeth Eairchild, who bore him four chil- 
dren, all of whom lived to mature years. Harriet 
married Henry Woodruff. Charles died in the 
year 1806, at the age of twenty -seven. He was in 
the United States Navy during the war, on the 
gunboat "A. C. Collier," Mississippi llotilla. Sa- 
rah, deceased, was the wife of II. II. Hodge; and 
Pollen, deceased, was the wife of Jacob Leslie. 
The three children born to the first union were: 
Oscar JL; JIalvina, deceased; and Amanda, also 
deceased, who was the wife of William (;illiland, 
and died in the year 1891, at the age of fift}'- 
five. The father of these children is still living, 
and, although eighty-eight years of age, is enjoy- 
ing comparativel}' good health. He has a com- 
fortable and pleasant home in Holland, Mich. 

Oscar Sherburne received a common-school edu- 
cation, and when twelve years of age went to Illi- 
nois, where he worked on the farm by the month, 
his first wages being %5 or ^(J |)er month. Leav- 
ing the Sucker State, he traveled over various 
States, and was engaged in lumbering for some 
time in Wisconsin. About 18.j() he came to Mich- 
igan, and uj) to the commencement of the Re- 
bellion worked at the C'ari)enter's trade. In 18(51 he 
joined Coini)aiiy I, Third Michigan Iiifantrj^-, un- 
der Capt. Cieorge Weatherwax and Col. .McCon- 
nell, and was attached to the First Division, Third 
Array Corps, commanded by (ien. Sickle.s. He 
participated in twentj'-eight regular battles, and 
was in all the battles fought by the Army of the 
Potomac from the first l)attle of Hull Run to the 
battle of the Wilderness, except Antietam. He was 
three times wounded, first at the second battle of 
Bull Hun, and was once wounded in the right hand 
and left foot. After recovering from the wounds 
he returned to the service and commandid the pio- 
neer corps until the expiration of his term of 
enlistment, three years and two months, when he 
was discharged, on the 2(ltli of .lime, 18()1. 

Returning to Michigan, our subject worked at 
carpentering in (!i;ind Rapids for two yeare, after 
which \h' returned to this township, and has since 
made his Ik^iiic here. He was m:irried the lirst 
time in 18.")'.) to Miss Lottie Waite, of ludiaii.i, 
daughter of .Justus and Mis. (Flint) Waite. Five 



386 



POKTIIAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



cliilrlren have blessed this union: Waller, rleceased; 
E<l\vin, who resides in !Mason County, Midi.; Mer- 
lon I)., in Dululli, Minn.; Charles F.,al Grand Rap- 
ids; and Willie, the youngest, deceased. Cliarles F. 
is a mule and was educated at Flint INIute College, 
and is now working at the cabinet-maker's tiade, 
having been one of the finest workmen in the city. 
Mrs. Sherburne died in 1873, and in 1875 Mr. Sher- 
burne married Mrs. Sarah E. Meade, nee Foster. 
Mr. Sheiburne has filled all the township offices, 
having been Township Clerk for eight years, Iligli- 
wa_v Commissioner for a number of years, and Su- 
jiervi.sor for eight or nine years. He is a member 
of Custer Post No. 5, G. A. R., at Grand Rapids. 



wm^i^ss^ 






5o" 



|(_^ OH ACE L. DELANO is one of Muskegon's 
prominent and popular attorney.s-at-law. 
He has engaged in pr.actice at this place 
since 1877, and has established a reputation 
of vvhich many an older practitioner might well 
be proud. Mr. Delano is a native of Ohio, his 
birth .having occurred in Andover, Ashtabula 
County, in the year 1853. His father, Horace 
(iiddings Delano, was born in PcnnsyJvania, and 
after arriving at years of maturity- wedded Miss 
Julia Kyle, daughter of Leonard Kyle, of Ando- 
ver, Ohio. When he was but three years old his 
mother died. In 1862 his father enlisted in Com- 
pany I, One Hundred and Fifth Ohio Regiment, 
and was mustered out at the close of the Rebellion, 
in June, 1865. 

The subject of this sketch received good educa- 
tional privileges, and after attending the common 
schools took a. course in the High School. In 
looking about him for a profession or occupation 
which he wished to make his life work, he decided 
to engage in the practice of law, and began his 
legal studies under the direction of .Judge Fred J. 
Russell, of Hart, Mich. He was admitted to the 
15ar in May, 1876, and at once entered upon the 
practice of his chosen profession in Whilchall, 
Mich., where he remained for about a year. 



As before stated, Mr. Delano entered upon his 
practice in Muskegon in 1877. The year after his 
arrival he was made Circuit Court Commissioner, 
and held that ofiice for four years, or until 1882. 
He has served as Prosecuting Attorney, having 
twice been ap|)ointed to fill a vacancy in that 
office, and in 1883 was elected to that position for 
a term of two years. He )jroved ca|)able and effi- 
cient and discharged his public duties with credit 
to hiuLself and satisfaction to his constituents. 
Other Inisiness interests have also occupied the 
attention of Mr. Delano, who is now Secretary of 
the Muskegon Chemical Fire Engine Comiiany. 
He is largely interested in manufacturing concerns, 
and thus has materially and substantially aided in 
the growth and prosperity of the city. He is also 
a Director of the Whitehall State Savings Bank. 

An important event in the life of Mr. Delano 
occurred in 1880, when was celebrated his mar- 
riage with Miss Cora Ileald, daughter of Joseph 
Heald, of Montague, Mich. They reside at their 
pleasant home at No. 219 West Webster Avenue, 
where they keei) open house, and their friends, 
who are many, are always sure of receiving a 
hearty welcome. In social circles where worth 
and intelligence are received as the p.assports into 
good society they hold an enviable position. In 
politics, Jlr. Delano is a su|)porter of the Repub- 
lican party. \le has always been instrumental in 
promoting the upbuilding of the city, and is ever 
found in the front ranks of any enterprise calcu- 
lated to advance the general welfare. He is now 
enjoying a line law practice, a just tribute to his 
merit. 



11@4 



(0.1 



6r" ■» ■ 



'» OSEPII EDWARD, a prosperous horticult- 
urist, devoting his attention principally to 
small fruits, strawberries and currants, is 
located in Ottawa County, near Agnew, 
and is a long-time resident of his present locality. 
He has held with efficiency various local positions 
of trust, and for fifteen years has been a valued 
School Director and is now likewise Clerk of the 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



387 



liome township. William Kdwiird, the paternal 
grandfather of our subject, emiurated to Canada 
in the year 1847, accompanied hy his two sons, 
but the father of Joseph Edward leniained in his 
native country, Scotland, and w.as the trusty land 
steward of the Earl of Fife. Our subject, born in 
the year 1847, j;;rew up to .adult age in Aberdeen 
County, near Banff, and received his educational 
instruction in tiie public schools of his birth- 
pl.aee. Reniaiiiiiig in Scotland some time subse- 
(jueiit to arriving at his majority, lie finally de- 
cided to follow the example of his paternal grand- 
father and seek a new home in America. In the 
year 1871 he finally bade adieu to the scenes of 
3'outh and, animated with the s|)irit of ambitious 
hope and courage, sailed for llie land of promise 
beyond the sea. 

As was natural, our subject first located in 
Canada, and while in the Dominion spent most of 
his time in Toronto and Montreal. During his 
residence in the city of Toronto he served on the 
police force, and was far from Ijeing a novice at 
the business, having been previously connected 
for live years with the Scotch police. In 1873 
our subject emigrated to the States, and im- 
mediately located in Michigan, settling in Ottawa 
County, since then his permanent home. Three 
years later, in 187(5, weie united in nuuiiage 
Joseph Edward and Miss Ellen IJooher. a native 
of Indiana. Our subject and his worthy wife at 
once settled upon a farm, located seven miles 
south of Grand Haven, to wliicli city Mrs. Edward 
had remf)ved from her birthplace the same year. 
The six children who have blessed the union are, 
in the order of their birth : Mary, ten years of 
age ; Maude, eight years old ; .loe, a little lad of 
six ; Millie, aged four ; .lane, a little Lassie of 
two; and (^lordon. the baby of the Hock. 

Mr. Edward owns fine hundred and sixl}' acres 
of valuable land, eighty acres of llie homestead 
having been brought up from its wild state into 
most profitable cultivation. The entire farm 
when lirst purchased by our subject was covered 
with heavy timber, and hard work and tireless in- 
dustry have been required to clear, cultivate and 
improve the fertile soil. The chief products of 
the Edward farm are li.ay, peaches and a large 



variety of choice berries, strawberries and cur- 
rants, iis before mentioned. Politically, Mr. Ed- 
ward is a stanch Dcmocral. aii<I has occupied, 
to the great satisfaction of the community, e^'ery 
ofHce of the township with the exception of 
Supervisor and Treasurer. lie was Justice of the 
Peace for twelve years, and his legal decisions, in 
accord with law and evidence, were seldom car- 
ried to the upper courts. As an active member 
of the Good Templars, Mr. Edward gives earnest 
eflfort in behalf of the fallen, and firmly believes ' 
that temperance is the sure lever with which to 
elevate the masses. While not connected by 
membership with any church organization, our 
subject is a ready aid in good work and benevo- 
lent enterprise, and is widely known as a man of 
liberal spirit and earnest purpose. 



GF^ 



\T C. IKJHTON, who h.as with elficient ability oc- 
11 cupied various official positions of trust in his 
Ik, present locality, is known as a prosperous gen- 
eral agricultiirisl and extensive bee-keeper, of 
Cedar Creek Township, Muskegon County, Mich., 
and owns the largest ajiiar^' in his home county. 
Mr. Ilorton, born October 10, 1834, in the iMupirc 
State, was the son of Henry and Julia (.Moore) 
Ilorton, both natives of New York. The family 
of IloiLons, originally vf (ierman nativity and 
the descendants of a long line of industrious 
ancestr^v, crossed the broad Atlantic in a very 
early day In the history of America, and in this 
country prospered and made their upward way 
to ]wsitions of usefulness and honor. The 
branch of the llditoiis lo which our subject be- 
longs settled in Dutchess County, N. Y., the 
members of the family being numbered among 
the substantial citizens of the Empire State. The 
paternal and maternal gi;iiidl'athers of I. C. Morton 
were both men of gallant courage and actively 
participated in the War for Independence, and 
later, again slKUihU'iing their muskets, took part in 



388 



FOETRAir AXD BIOGRAPHICAL liECORD. 



tlie War of 1812, and fought with lieroic bravery 
under Gen. Jackson in the famous battle of New 
Orleans. 

The parents of our subject, upright and intelli- 
gent, carefully trained tlie eight cliildren who 
blessed their home. Strong, sturdy and self-re- 
liant, the sons and daughters attained to adult 
age and, beginning life, soon made homes for 
themselves and their descendants. They are all 
now deceased with the exception of I. C. and 
his brother Alonzo, who also resides upon the 
old homestead. 1. C. Horton was mainly reared 
upon a farm. In boyhood he enjoyed limited 
adyant.ages for an education, which he well im- 
proved, and until the year 1869 spent the greater 
jiortion of his time in tlic constant daily round 
of agricultural cares, and is lieyond doul)t a 
genuinely practical farmer, at home in every 
detail of the cultivation of the soil, as well as 
thoroughly understanding the profitable handling 
of bees. Arriving in Jlicliigan in 1 HGil, our sub- 
ject commenced carpentering and found ready oc- 
cupation as a joiner and contractor, soon doing a 
large business,with whicli he also combined general 
farming and bee-keeping. In venturing into bee- 
culture, Mr. Ilorton at first met with disappoint- 
ments, but these he overcame by persistent efforts, 
and with patience and larger ex|)erience has be- 
come an authority on the bee industry. Ueginuing 
upon a small scale in 1877, and experiencing 
failure until 188.3, our subject now receives from 
this source of revenue 5=71)0 or sfHOO per year, and 
continues to increase the capacity of his hives. 
Mr. Horton's farm consists of eighty acres, twenty- 
live of which are under a high state of cultiva- 
tion. 

In his twenty-fourth year our subject was married 
to Miss Lucy E. IJabcock, a native of New York 
.State and a daughter of Kufus and .Vliiiiia (Walk- 
er) IJabcock. The pleasant iionie of Mr. and Jlrs. 
Ilorton was brightened Ijj' tlie presence of one 
daughter, now deceased. Our subject and his ex- 
cellent wife adopted and reared a niece, Lmnia E. 
Iluishopa, Mrs. Abner Servrey, residing in Nortli 
Muskegon. Mrs. Ilorton, a devoted Christian 
woman, is a member of ihe Eree-Will Baptist 
Church at Twin Lake. Mr. Ilorton is likewise a 



professing Christian. Our subject, politically a 
Republican, ably served one term as Justice of 
the Peace of Cedar Creek Township, and was also 
elected Town Clerk, hut did not accej)! the office. 
He gave great satisfaction to the entire community 
of the neighborhood and vicinity, where he has a 
host of friends tried and true. 



^^=m>-^<^ 



REDEHICK WARBER. one of the repre- 
sentative citizens and a leading business 
man of (irand Haven, is engaged in the 
growing of celery, a product for which Michigan 
has gained an enviable reputation. Our subject 
comes from a far country. He is of German birth, 
having lirst opened his eyes to the light of day in 
Prussia, Geiniany. on the 16th of February, 1847. 
His father, John Warber, was also born in the 
same locality. In his later days he crossed the 
Atlantic to America and settled in Connecticut. 

Our subject spent his school days in the Father- 
land, where he was reared to manhood under the 
parental roof. He attained his majoritj' in Ger- 
many; and then determined to seek a home in a 
land of fieedom. with the hope of bettering his 
financial conditimi. It was in 11S(;8 that he bade 
adieu to the friends of his youth and took passage 
on a Westward-bound sailing-vessel. At lengtli 
he reached New York, and on leaving the Eastern 
metropolis he made his way to Kansas. There he 
spent some years, and was engaged in driving a 
team across the plains to Colorado and New Mex- 
ico. In this way he got a start in life. The change 
in his location occurred in 1876. That year wit- 
nessed his arrival in (irand Haven, where he se- 
cured employment in the sawmill of Charles Boy- 
den. He proved a faithful and trusted emploj'e 
and held that position for seven years, when he 
severed his connection with Mr. Boyden in order 
to engage in business for himself. 

In 188;") Mr. Warber chose as a companion and 
helpmate on life's journey ]Miss Minnie Alllireith, 
of Grand Haven. Hy their union has been born 






^m 
"-■i^. 




4. 





/^^c^c^^i<y 



i^-^^ c:^^^-^:^^^;^^^^?-:?'^^ 






PORTRAIT AND lUOCajAl'IllCAL RKCORD. 



:!!tl 



one child, a. son, W. F., who is the lijjht of the 
household. It was about 1883 that Mr. Waiber i)e- 
gan growing celery. He for the most part raises the' 
"white plume" variety, which is a superior kind 
and finds a ready sale in tlic market, lie not 
only raises but bleaches his celei-y, and his farm is 
one of the best of the kind in this locality. He 
makes extensive shipments and his only market is 
Chicago. This enterprise has proved to be a suc- 
cessful one to Mr. Warber, who is now duinjj a 
large and profitable business. It was a fortunate 
day for him when he came to America, for in this 
country he has met with success in Ins busine.-s 
dealings and has won a comfortable home and 
gained many warm friends. He is a man of ster- 
ling worth and strict integrity, and tlic excellen- 
cies of his character have gained liim the high re- 
gard of all with whom business or social relations 
have brought him in contact. 



( 



I 



\I? UCIUS LYMAN, an enterprising citizen 
I (^. and pioneer settler of Spring Lake, Ottawa 
jJL^^ County, Mich., during his thirty-six years* 
residence in his present locality has filled various 
official positions of trust. For two years from the 
spring of 1891 he rendered valuable service as a 
member of the Village Council, and in the spring 
of 1893 he was elected President of the village. 
Born in Winflsor County, Vt., in 1821, our subject 
is a direct descendant of English ancestors, the 
Lymans early emigrating from the Queen's do- 
minions to the I'liited .States, wliere various mem- 
bers of the family have been numbered among the 
honored and patriotic citizens of our great He- 
public. 

In the (ireeu Mountain Slate Jlr L\inan passed 
his early days and received a good education in 
the schools of the home district. Attaining mnii- 
hood, he learned the trade of a millwright, and 
shortly after reaching his majority engaged in 
business for himself. He erected numerous ma- 
chine works, and about 1815 built the lirst print- 
19 



ing machinery used in ^lanchester. N.II. After a 
time ho received employment in the Ames Jlanii- 
facturiug Company, of Cabbotsville. .Mass., and re- 
mained with that firm for three years. In I8-J8 or 
1819, he emigrated from the .State of his birth to 
New York and made his home in .letTerson County. 
There and in the adjiiceiil counties he constructed 
a great variety of milling iiiachineiy. 

For many \cars .Mr. Lyman |iui>ued the even 
tenor of his way, until the breaking out of the 
Civil War caused him to forsake the occu|ialion of 
his life and enlist in the service of the Union. 
Entering the Second New York Artillery in 18G1, 
he inarched to the front and was located at Ar- 
lington Heights, where he assisted in building Fts. 
Ward, Worth and Rlenker. On account of disaliil- 
ity he was discharged from the army in 186;{, and 
returning to New York remained there until 1867, 
when he came to Spring Lake and commenced to 
work at his trade. .Since the latter date he has 
been especially successful in this line of work and 
has beyond all doul)t built more mills in the past 
score and a-lialf years than any other man in llie 
State. Among the extensive enterprises in which 
lie has assisted was the erection of a large plant for 
the Diamond Match Company in the Northern 
Peninsula, tLie building of which occ«i)ied his ex- 
clusive attention for nearly two years. 

On the 1.3tli of April, 1843, in Chelsea, Vl., Lu- 
cius Lyman and Miss Mary Burgess were united 
in marriage. Passing together more than a half- 
century of conjugal happiness, they have recently 
celebrated their golden wedding, one of the noted 
social events in the history of Spring Lake, the re- 
union of April, 1893, being a memorable occasion 
with all who participated in the festivities of the 
happy time. Nine children accompanied our sub- 
ject and his estimable wife to their new home in 
the West. In 1870, five of the family died of that 
dread disease, scarlet fever. Three sons and two 
daughters were thus suddenly removed from the 
family circle, whose survivors were indeed greatly 
bereaved. The four children who are now living 
are: Mary, Mrs. Phillips, a resident of .Steuben 
County, N. Y.; Charles A., a citizen of Grand 
Haven and a well-known captain on the Lakes; 
Eliza .v., wife of John K. (Client, a prosperous 



392 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



druggist of Muskegon; and Malfort G., who went 
West early in life and cannot be exactly' located. 
Although past the boundary line of three-score 
years and ten, Mr. Lj-man is hale and beartj', 
and still follows his trade of a millwright, being 
numbered among the active business men of his 
locality. Politically, he is a Republican and comes 
of old anti-slaver}' stock, well known in the Ab- 
olition days. He has occupied numerous local 
offices and has ever been a prominent leader in all 
matters pertaining to the growth of enterprise and 
mutual advancement. Fraternally, he is associ- 
ated with the Grand Army of the Republic at 
Spring Lake and enjoys its pleasant social reunions, 
where in memory the old veterans again live over 
the da3's when they gave their earnest efforts in 
behalf of national existence. Respected by all 
who know him, Lucius L^nian has led a life of 
integrity and self-reliance, and has faithfully given 
to each duty, as friend, neighbor and citizen, his 
most conscientious attention and persistent efforts. 



s;HOMAS H. BIGNELL, a prominent citizen 
'i'/^^ and representative agriculturist of Ottawa 
'<^l' County, Mich., resides upon a magnificent 
farm of two hundred and ten acres, containing 
some of the finest land in Grand Haven Township. 
Financially prospered and regarded as a man of 
sterling integrity of character, Mr. Bignell has oc- 
cupied important local positions of trust and 
firmly holds the confidence of all his fellow- 
townsmen. His father, John Bignell, born in 1794, 
came to this country in 1815, and was sent on 
Lake Ontario, engaged in the British service, dur- 
ing the War of 1812. Near the close of the war, 
in company with several connades, John IJignell 
deserted the British ranks and leaving Lewiston, 
on the Niagara River, rowed across the lake in an 
open boat, and, remaining together, safely airived 
in Monroe County, N. Y., where they separated. 
The father remained in that part of the Empire 



State, and later married in Monroe County, in 1 8 1 9, 
Miss Jane Spratt, a most estimable woman, a 
native of Ireland. Emigrating with her parents 
to America when only a little child, she received 
her education in New York and there attained to 
womanhood. The parents settled in Monroe 
County, and there the father made his residence 
until in 1838, with his familj',he journeyed to the 
West and located in Michigan. 

Permanently settling in Oakland Count3-, John 
Bignell became one of the prosperous farmers of 
the Wolverine State and in 1870, esteemed by all 
who knew him, passed away, mourned as a public 
loss. Our subject was the eldest of a familj^ of 
ten children, five sons and five daughters, but 
three of whom are now living. The brothers and 
sisters were: Thomas II., George, Mary, Rebecca, 
Eliza, James, John, Jane, Candace and Judson. 
Those surviving are Thomas II.. John and M;iry. 
Mrs. Fish, who resides in Ottawa County, Mich. 

Thomas H. was born in the year 1820, in Mon- 
roe County, N. Y., and in that locality passed 
the daj'S of early youth, being eighteen years of 
age when he accompanied his father's family to 
Oakland County. He resided in that portion of 
the State for some seven years, and in 1845 was 
married in Ionia County, Mich., to Miss Ann 
Jaenetle Dexter, a lady of superior ability and fine 
character. She survived her marriage but four 
years and died without issue. Lamented by many 
friends she entered into rest in Ionia County, in 
the year 1849. Not long after the demise of this 
wife our subject entered the ministry of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church and was following 
this vocation in Shiawassee County-, when he met 
the Iad3' destined to become his second wife. Miss 
Mary Dowell. 

Mrs. Bignell is a native of England and emigra- 
ted with her parents to this country at the age of 
four or five years, the first home of Mr. and Mrs. 
Dowell in the Wolverine State being near Ypsil- 
anti. Shorlly after his second marriage our 
subject engaged in teaching school in Portland, 
Ionia County, Alich., but after teaching for a 
twelvemonth again resumed the duties of the 
ministry, and continued to preach the AVord for 
fifteen years, mostly in southwestern Michigan. 



PORTRAir AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



393 



About 1865, nil-. Bignell engaged in tlie foiuulry 
business in Ionia, and continued to conduct the 
foundry six years, tlien protitably selling out and 
later removing to OtUiwa County, where he at 
once purchased and located upon his valuable 
farm. A successful agriculturist, he has likewise 
devoted a portion of liis time to the service of the 
public and has willi elliciency discharged the 
duties of Highway Commissioner, School Inspec- 
tor and Justice of the Peace. Politically a 
Hepublican from tlie formation of the party, our 
subject cist his lirst vole for Fremont, and clings 
with earnestness to the principles of the "Party 
of Reform." The four children who have blessed 
the second marriage of Mr. liignell arc Ann 
.laenette; .Tames L., .John W. and Jamics. Ann 
Jaenette married the Hev. (i. L. Pearson, and re- 
sides in I'liii'iiix, Ariz. .lohn W. lives at home; 
.Jamies is a citizen of Muskegon, and married the 
eldest daughter of Charles Clark. The second 
born, .lames L., is deceased. Our subject, his 
worthy wife, daughter and sous are all occupying 
positions of useful influence, and socially command 
the high regard of a host of friends. Mr. 
Bignell — a man of acknowledged business ability — 
is to-day ranked among the leading men and sub- 
stantial citizens of Ottawa Countv. 



JOHN TKN HAVK. In .lohn IVn Have are 
comliined all tiuMpialJiies which go to make 
I a prosperous, law-al)idiug and honorable 
'' citizen, and the success that has attended 
his effort-; is but the just reward of honest mer- 
it worthily bestowed. He is a native of the 
Province of Drenthe, Holland, having; been liorn 
in 1830, his parents being Heniy K. and Wilhel- 
mine ((icKlinj;) Ten Have, and his grandparents 
Kaiph and Weminigjc Ten Have. Kalpli Ten 
Have w;is a carjienter by trade, born in the north 
of Holland, but of French e.vtraction. He became 
a well-known builder, and many of the public 
buildings of the cit\- of Anislcidam still stand as 



monuments to his skill. He accumulated consid- 
erable wealth and reared a family of four ciiihlren 
in comfort: John, Henry H., Niciiolas and .Mice, 
all of whom are now dead. He and his wife were 
members of the Reformed Church and were 
highly lionored in the locality in which they 
lived. 

Henrv H. Ten Have was born in ITKH, and in 
his youth received a good education in one of the 
best colleges of his country. He was a very fine 
penman, and one of his old copybooks, written 
with a quill pen, is now in possession of his son 
John. He was a Second Lieutenant in the army 
of Holland and later was a Home Guard. He 
was married at about the age of thirty years to 
a daughter of Henry and Mary Gerding. who was 
also finely educated and a fluent speaker of French. 
After his marriage Mr. Ten Have conducted a gin 
distillery, at which he became wealthy, and he 
owned one hundred and twenty acres of land, 
which was considered a large amount to be in the 
possession of one man in that country. During 
the latter part of his life he gave his attention to 
tilling this land, and died at the age of sixty-four 
}-ears, leaving a widow and si.x children, the 
latter being .as follows: Ralph, a resident of Hol- 
land Township; Henry, deceased; Wilhelmina, de- 
ceased; Hiram, a resident of Holland Township; 
John, deceased; and John. The death of Henry 
R. Ten Have occurred in 1843, and about 1847 liis 
widow with four of her children emigrated to tiie 
United States, after selling all her possessions in 
the Old Country, .\fter reaching Ottawa County, 
Mich., they had only about >f:t{)a in money left, 
and they soon took up their resideiue three miles 
north of Holland, in an old filock-liouse with two 
other families, but remained there only three 
months, going thence to New (Jioningcn, where 
Mrs. Ten Have and her daughter died shortly after. 

After the ilialh of the mother the family became 
scattered, and John, the siil)ject of this sketch, se- 
cured cmi)loym<'ut in a sawmill, but later worked 
in Kalamazoo County a few months on a farm. 
He then learned the shoemaker's trade in Alamo, 
which he has followi-d more or less ever since. In 
1852 he came to Holland Township and bought 
forty acres of his present farm, and by industry 



394 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



has increased his landed possessions to eiglity 
acres. AVIien he made his first pui'chase the land 
was in a wild state and there were no roads, but 
his good judgment told him that the land would 
one da}- be ver}- valuable, so he continued to 
labor energetically and to such purpose that he 
now has one of the best-tilled farms of the section, 
which, though small, compared with some others, 
yet yields abundant harvests. 

At the age of twenty-five, Mr. Ten Have was mar- 
ried to Miss Tryutje, a daughter of Gerrit and 
Elizabeth (Postma) Van Dyk, and their union 
has resulted in the birth of nine children: Henry; 
Elizabeth; Gerrit; Williim, deceased; Ralph; Wil- 
helmina; Catherine; Aaron, deceased; and Mary. 
In the year 18',t2, Mr. Ten Have lost his barn by 
tire and with it *300 worth of lumber which he 
had purchased for the erection of a new house, and, 
although this loss was a heav^' one, he bore it 
philosophically and has continued to " pursue the 
even tenor of his way" unfalteringly. He and 
his wife are members of the Reformed Church, and 
politically, he is a Republican. He has ably filled 
the office of Justice of the Peace and School 
Director, and in his church has held office for over 
thirty years, being at the present time an Elder. 



-i-5"5"{"5-« 



S****!- 




H****^^ ***+F 



J. DE VRIES, D. D. S. There is no profes- 
^, sion which meets the popular needs more 
11®)))) tiian that of the dentist. He confers a 
■•' boon on suffering humanity, and supplies 
that which is either deficient or destroyed in n.a- 
ture to complete the appearance and enhance the 
comfort of his clients. Therefore, no public ser- 
vant deserves more grateful recognition at our 
hands than the dentist. Among the most success- 
ful practitioners of that art in the city of Holland, 
Mich., is Dr. B. J. De \'ries, who is a responsible 
dentist, with an established reputation for ability 
and skill. 

Dr. De Vries is a native of Holland Township, 
this county, and as he has spent the principal part 



of his life here, the people have had every oppor- 
tunity to judge of his character and qualifications. 
His birth occurred November 20, 1858, and he is 
the son of John DeVries, and the grandson of 
Berend De Tries, both natives of Holland. The 
grandfather was educated in his native country, 
was married there, and in 1847, on account of 
religious persecution, left the land of his birth 
and crossed the ocean to the United States, being 
among the first settlers of Holland Township, 
Ottawa County. There he entered land from the 
Government, but as it was a forest he began clear- 
ing and improving, and soon had eiglity acres of 
well-cultivated land. On this he resided until he 
reached advanced years, and then went to live 
with his son and near his grandson, Henr}' De- 
Vries. He and his worthy- companion are now 
eighty-seven years of age, but enjoy comparatively 
good health. Both have been very active church 
members and hold membership in the Reformed 
Church, in which they are highly esteemed. 

John DeVries, father of our subject and son of 
the honored old couple mentioned above, was but 
eleven years of age when he came with his par- 
ents to the wilds of Michigan. He assisted his 
father in clearing the home i)lace, and amid rude 
surroundings grew to sturdy manhood. He was 
married to Everdina Rysdorp, a native of the 
Netherlands and daughter of Henry Rysdorp who 
came to the United States with many others in 
1847. John De A'rics remained on the old home 
place, engaged in farming, until about thirty-four 
years of age. Later he followed lumbering in Ot- 
tawa and Antrim Counties, and has continued 
this business ever since. He and his wife are now 
residing in Grand Rapids. The}' became the par- 
ents of five children: Minnie, Mrs. Mocrdyk; Henry 
and Albert DeVries; Katie, Mrs. Kejjpel, and our 
subject. In politics, the father is a strong Repub- 
lican, and in religion a member of the Reformed 
Church, in which he was a Deacon in Zeeland for 
many years. 

The original of this notice was reared on his 
father's farm in Holland Township, and graduated 
from Hope College with the degree of A. B. in 
1880. He took the full course in college, and 
afterwards took a course of dental surgery in the 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



395 



Michigan State Univeisit}-, graduating in 1882. 
Immcdiatelv afterwards In- tame to Holland and 
entered upon a successful career as a dentist. This 
he has followed ever since, and has met with flat- 
tering success. In the year 1884 he was married 
to Miss Grace L. Boer, daughter of John Roer, 
who wasalso born in Holland. Three children have 
blessed this union: John Theodore, Bernard fieorge 
and Evaline Grace. Mr. He Vrics' olHce is located 
in the First State Hank Building and he has pleas- 
ant and attractive rooms. In politics he is a Repub- 
lican and, like his immediate progenitors, is a 
member of the Reformed Church and a Deacon in 
the same, having held that position for six years. 
He devotes his entire time to his practice and is 
one of the very best dentists of the city. 



■» =: ♦ =: <• 




r 



ONTGOMERY IIAYWARD, a farmer re- 
siding in Casenovia Township, and tlit 
owner of valuable landed possessions in 
Muskegon County, was born in Canan- 
daigua, N. Y., March 3, 18li5, and is a son of Or- 
mand and Sarah (Gaskill) Hay ward. He traces his 
ancestry to Scotland, whence his paternal grand- 
father, Stephen Hay ward, emigrated to America 
during Colonial days and made settlement in 
Massathusctts, where he died. When the War of 
the Revolution threatened the entire destruction 
of libertj', he enlisted in the service of the Col- 
onies, and was one of the brave soldiers to whom 
we owe the freedom of our beloved country. 

The father of our subject was born in Massachu- 
setts, and in his youth removed to Vermont, where 
he married. Later he went to New York and set- 
tled in Canandaigua, where he bought a farm. In 
183G he sold his property there, and. removing 
to Niagara County, the same St.ite, located six 
miles east of Lockport, where he puri-hascil and 
improved ninety acres of land. In his old age he 
came to Michigan and made his home with his 
children until his death in 1883, at the age of 



eighty-four. His wife died in Kendallville, Ind., 
in 1889, and was buried in Michigan. They had 
been the [larenls of eight children, as follows: 
Durinda, who resides in Indiana; Frank; Edwin, 
of whom mention is elsewhere made; Sarah, who is 
married and lives in California; Sabra. Mrs. Hoot, 
of New York; John, who served during the late 
war as a member nf the Indiana Cavalry and now 
resides in Grand Rapids; Stephen, who died at the 
age of sixteen years; and Monlgomeiy, of this 
sketch. The mother of this family was born in 
Vermont, whither her father had emigrated from 
England. He was a Quaker in religion, but she 
was a member of the Christian Church. 

On account of the poverty of his parents, our 
subject was obliged to become self-sustaining at an 
earlj' age. In 185fi he came to Kent County, 
Mich., where for a time he engaged in lumbering 
on tlie Grand River and its tributaries. In the fall 
of 1871 he purchased a half-interest in a tract 
consisting of about eight hundred acres where he 
now resides. At the same time he erected a saw- 
mill and manufactured lumber until 1884, when 
he disposed of the mill and h.as given his atten- 
tion exclusively to farming since that time. He 
owns one hundred and eighty acres upon his pres- 
ent homestead, and also owns three other farms, 
two of which contain one hundred and sixty acres 
each, and one consisting of eight}' acres. He is 
also the owner of several hundred acres of timber- 
land in various places. 

In September, 1861, Mr. Hay ward was united 
in marriage with Miss Martha Kenney, who was 
born in Monroe County, N. Y. Her parents, 
James and Martha (Clark) Kenney, were natives 
of Ireland, and settled in Michigan in 18r)4, where 
the father followed the trade of a blacksmith un- 
til his death at the old liomestead near Rock ford, 
Kent County. During the late war he enlisted in 
the Union army and served with valor until the 
expiration of liis term of enlistment. Politically, 
he was a Republican. He and his wife were the 
parents of four sons and four daughters. Cnto 
our subject and his accomplished wife two chil- 
dren have been born: Fred C. and Frank. 

Long neighborhood association through the 
vicissitudes of lapsing years is perhaps the best 



396 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



test hy which to judge character. Those who 
have been Mr. Ilayward's neiglibors for inanj- 
years liave found him a considerate, kind and 
helpful friend, careful of tlieir needs in liealth or \ 
sickness, and jealous of their good names. Com- 
panionship with such a man is a privilege not 
often enjoyed. While Mr. Hayward is a Demo- 
crat politically, he is not a politician, nor does he 
sliow any partisanship in his preferences. He is a 
citizen of whom any communitv may well be 
proud. 



-^ 



^^^ 



[S_ 



(^~ 




RANK J. FOX. The career of Mr. Fox 
)"! presents an example of industry, persever- 
ance and good management, rewarded by 
substantial results, well woitliy the imitation of 
all. He was born in Portland, Mich., a son of 
Samuel and Matilda (Gardner) Fox, the birth of 
the latter occurring August 9, 1820, near the vil- 
age of Wichurch, Shropshire, England. She came 
with her father to America in 1830. and on the 
28th of October landed at New York City. The 
following May they removed to a farm iu Ontario 
County, X. Y., soon after to Yates County, and on 
April 1, 1835, Mrs. Fox started for Michigan in 
company with the family of Almeran Newman, 
arriving at Portland May 23, 1835. In Novem- 
ber, 18.50, she moved to Grand Haven, and was 
there married to G. T. Woodbury, and there she 
continued to make her home until April 14, 1862, 
when she settled with her husband in Ottawa 
County, this State, and there continued to reside 
until her death. She was first married to Samuel 
J. Fox, August 16, 1838, at Portland, and by him 
became the mother of two sons: Charles D., and 
Frank J.; and by her second husband also had two 
sons: Jesse G. T. and AVarrcn H. JMrs. Woodburj' 
was a lady of intelligence and noble character 
and was a devout Christian, being a member of the 
Congregational Church at the time of her death, 
although formerly a Methodist. 

F"rank J. Fox was born Jlay 3, 1819. and until 
thirteen years of age attended the schools of Grand 



Haven. He then came to the farm with his mother 
and stepfather, and here attended the district 
schools. He commenced life for himself at the 
age of twenty-one, but remained with his mother 
until her death. He then turned his attention 
to lumbering and the sawmill business, and in 
the years 1881-82 put up a mill of his own on sec- 
tion 31, where it still stands in the most heavily 
timbered section of the count}'. For the first few 
}-ears he cut from one to one and a-lialf million feet 
of lumber annually, his marketing being done by 
means of Grand River at Bass River Landing, and 
also by rail. Mr. Fox is one of the oldest settlers 
of the county, and has been prominent in its affairs. 
He has filled man}- township offices, from School 
Director, which he held eleven years, to Supervi- 
sor, and has also ably filled the position of Justice 
of the Peace. In 1880 he was elected Township 
Supervisor by a majority of one hundred and 
eighty over his opponent, and again in 1891. In 
1890 he was elected Chairman of the Board of 
Supervisors, but resigned this office April 27, 
1891. In the spring of 1893 he was again elected 
to the position almost unaniraousl}'. 

April 25. 1891, he was married to Miss Jenett 
Alexandei', a native of Canada, and a daughter of 
William and Amanda (Miller) Alexander, who 
were born iu Scotland and Canada, respectively. 
5Ir. Alexander was a sailor in his younger days, 
but in early life came to America, and is now a 
resident of Georgetown Township. Mr. and Mrs. 
Alexander have eight children living: !Mary, wife 
of Alonzo Wilcox; Hugh, of Grand Rapids; Jenett; 
Robert; James; Grace, wife of Delbert Christler; 
Samuel; and Jean, now Jlrs. Chester Horton, of 
Jamestown, Mich. Mrs. Fox is a member of the 
Cumberland Presbyterian Church, in which she is 
an active worker, and she belongs to several mis- 
sionary societies. Mr. Fox has alwa^'s been a prom- 
inent Rei)ublican, and is one of the most thrift}- 
and successful farmers in the county. He imrchased 
his first farm in 1880, containing one hundred and 
sixty-three acres, partially improved, and now has 
eighty acres under a high state of cultivation, mag- 
nificently improved with splendid barns, outbuild- 
ings and residence. In 1885 or 1886 he purchased 
sevent3'-one acres adjoining, of which sixty were 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



397 



improved, and on tliis place was a largo and thrifty 
■ orchard of six acres, ])rincipany of a|ii)le trees. 
Mr. Vox is engaged in general farming and makes 
a specialty of Pereheron horses, having a nice 
herd of this breed. lie is a stockholder in the 
creamer}' at Allendale, a stockholder in the Coun- 
ty Fair Association, and also in the gravel road 
from Grand Rapids to Grand Haven. In all the 
enterpri.-ies attempted hv him he has been success- 
ful, and this has been in a great measure due to 
honest hard work and close attention to his busi- 
ness interests. 



"^02- 



^i■^^^il^#!#i= 



'LONZO L. DOW, an energetic, capable 
iMjOj and successful agriculturist of IMuskegon 

II lii County, residing in Moorland Township, 
p' first opened his eyes to the light in Can- 

ada, his birth having occurred in St. Mary's Coun- 
ty, Jul}' 7, 1856. He is a son of Lorenzo and 
Katharine (Piester) Dow, natives of New York, 
and on his father's side he is a distant relative of 
the famous evangelist, Lorenzo Dow. During 
the early part of his life, the father of our subject 
was a cabinet-maker by occujjatiou and followed 
that trade with considerable success. In 1857, ac- 
companied by his family, he removed to Michigan 
and settled in Grand Rapids. 

After a brief sta}' in that city, Mi. Dow, Sr., re- 
moved to Newaygo County, where he remained 
for three years. In 1860 he settled in Moorland 
Township, Muskegon County, and as the country 
at that time was undeveloped, he set to work im- 
mediately to clear the land of heav}' timber. In 
a few years he was in i)Ossession of a fine farm, the 
reward of his labor in reclaiming the wilderness. 
In 1882 he sold his jjroperly to William Durkes 
and removed to Muskegon, near Black Lake, 
where he remained until his death, October 27, 
1888. He w.ns a iiiglily respected citizen and 
successful farmer, and was active in politics and all 
matters pertaining to public interest. A brave, 
courageous pioneer, he helped to builrl and make 



possible Mu.skegon County's present prosperit}'. 
Additional facts concerning his life maj' be 
gleaned from the sketch of P. P. Misner, of ^lus- 
kegon, presented elsewhere in this volume. 

Of eight children, our subject was among the 
eldest. At the age of twenty-three he commenced 
life for himself on the farm he now occupies. By 
skillful labor in drainage and cultivation, he has 
developed a farm rich in soil and production and 
embellished with a first-class set of rural buildings, 
adapted to their various purposes. While success 
lias usually crowned his efforts, he iias also met 
with his share of reverses. A few years ago, he, 
among others in this vicinity, met with a heavy loss 
caused l»y depression in the onion market. With 
that exception he has enjoyed continuous pros- 
perity in his farming and gardening operations. 

The marriage of Mr. Dow took place on the 17th 
of June, 1878, and united him with Miss Ida, 
daughter of Wesley and Ann (.lohnson) Fuller. 
There have lieen born to them three children: 
Sarah, May and Fred Wesle}', who are now receiv- 
ing the best advantages afforded by the schools of 
Moorland Township. Possessing a genial, jovial 
disposition, bubbling over with life and merriment, 
and blessed by domestic felicity, Mr. Dow enjoys 
life to its fullest capacit}-. In politics he is a Repub- 
lican, ever true to the principles of that part}'. 
Socially, he is identilied with the order of the Mac- 
cabees, and takes a warm interest in that organiza- 
tion. He is a popular and enterprising citizen, 
and as such is highly esteemed throughout the 
community. 



► .^E^l 



1^^^ 



OIIN B. WOODWARD, M. I)., a prosperous 
and skillful physician of Muskegon, Mich., 
is a native of Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, 
and was born January 7, 1846. His father, 
John B. Woodward, was born in Yorkshire, Eng- 
land, and emigrated to Canada in 1812. He en- 
gaged in the War of 1812, serving in the British 
arinv as a surgeon, and was a man of fine odu- 



398 



POiiTRAlT A^T) BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



cation and possessed of much ability. The pater- 
nal grandfather was John K. Woodward, whose 
mother was a Kilbourne. The mother of our sub- 
ject was Margaret (Bunton) Woodward, a native 
of Ireland, and daughter of Ilarr^- Bunton, also 
born in the Emerald Isle, but who, crossing the 
ocean, settled in Canada in the year 1812. Dr. 
Woodward enjoyed exceptional advantages "for an 
education, receiving preparatory instruction in the 
excellent schools of Montreal, Canada, and later 
entering the college at Toronto, Canada. While 
only a youth, he journeyed to Michigan, and at 
seventeen years of age, in 1863, enlisted in Cora- 
pan3" D, Tenth Michigan Cavalry, commanded by 
Col. Standish, and was assigned to the Army of 
the Cumberland. 

Our subject courageously participated in nianj' 
of the prominent engagements of tli« long cam- 
pnign, and was present upon the battlefields of 
Wincliester and the Wilderness, and was wounded 
at City Point h}- the explosion of tiie magazine at 
that place. In 1864, taken prisoner at AVestfield, 
Va., he was imprisoned for six months in Libb3', 
and for six weeks was obliged to subsist exclu- 
sively upon raw pumpkins. .Tunc 13, 1865, he 
was exchanged, and as soon as he gained strength 
enlisted again in an expedition sent out to tight 
the hostile Indians, and served in the West until 
June, 1866. Then returning to Toronto, Canada, 
Dr, Woodward re-entered college, and was gradu- 
ated from tiic classical course in 1867, and, contin- 
uing his studies in 1868 took his diploma from the 
medical department. He shortl}' after accepted 
the position of Principal of the Public Schools of 
Grand Uapids and devoted him.self to the duties 
of that profession for two years. He next went to 
Chicago, in wliicli city he lectured on anatomy in 
the Dodge College, and occupied that professor- 
ship until 1873, when he returned to (irand Rap- 
ids, where he conducted a general practice in 
medicine' for three years. 

In 1876 our subject settled in Newaygo, Ne- 
waygo County, Mich., and there continued active- 
ly engaged in a round of professional duty until 
1884. At this latter date Dr. Woodward made his 
home in Muskegon, but in 188;') departed for a 
long tour through Europe. lie was abroad three 



years, and during this time visited the various 
countries of Europe, and Egypt, Russia, India 
and Turkey, remaining in Mt. Armenia six weeks. 
Returning to Muskegon in 1888, Dr. Woodward 
resumed general practice, and, combining skillful 
surger3', has been especially successful in relieving 
suffering and effecting cures. 

July 2, 1869, Dr. Woodward and Miss Cynthia 
Gould, of Grand Rapids, daughter of Nelson 
Gould, a native of New York, were married. Dr. 
and Mrs. Woodward were the parents of one son 
and one daughter, Frederick H. and Lottie M. 
The estimable wife of our subject passed awaj-, 
deeply mourned, in Newaygo in 1884. The pleas- 
ant home of the Doctor is desirably located at No. 
36 AVestern Avenue, Muskegon. Our subject is 
fraternally associated with the Grand Rapids 
Lodge of Ancient Free <k Accepted Masons, and 
both within and without this order has many 
warm friends, by whom lie is highly regarded for 
his qualities as a citizen and phj'sician. 




rSl'j J. POEST. It is doubtless owing entirely- 
'^ to the industrious and persevering manner 
with which Mr. Poest has a<lhcred to the 
pursuits of agriculture, that he has risen to 
such a substantial position in farm affairs in Ottawa 
County. Since 1848 he has been a resident of the 
State of Michigan, and as a natural result he is 
much interested in the progress and development 
of his section, and has done his full share in mak- 
ing it tbc magnificent farming region that it now 
is. He is a product of the southwestern part of 
Holland, where he was born on the 4th of Julv, 
1821, his parents being Dirk and Gertie (Wilden) 
Poest, also natives of the same place. Dirk Poest 
received an excellent education in his youth, and 
for forty years followed the occupation of a 
school teacher in one village, at the same time 
conducting a small but fertile farm which he 
owned. In time a family of four children gath- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL liECORD. 



399 



ered about liis hcartlislone, as follows: .lolin, 
a resident of Zeeland; H. J., the subject of this 
sitetcii; Minnie, deceased; and Jennie, a resident 
of Ottawa County, Midi. 

IJ. J. Poest was twenty-four years of age at tlie 
time of iiis fatlicr's death, and under the able In- 
struction of the latter his initiatory scholastic 
training was received, and lie was litted for the 
calling of a teacher, which ho followed for some 
time during the winter montlis in his native land. 
At other times he was eniploj-ed at the carpenter's 
trade there, but the remuneration for his services 
was not sullicient to satisfy one of his ambitious 
disposition, and he made up his mind to come to 
the United .States, the Mecca of the poor man. He 
reached this country in June, 1848. His mother, 
leaving the Old Country at the same time with 
her other children, but on a different boat, died 
while on the voyage, and was buried at sea. 
Soon alter his arrival in this country, Mr. Poest 
came to Michigan, and after spending a short time 
in Grand Rapids he obtained an Indian canoe and 
paddled his wa^' to Holland. After his arrival 
here he worked at the carpenter's trade for a short 
time, and after spending one j-ear in Zeeland he 
purchased one hundred and twenty acres of wild 
land and began to convert it into a farm. This 
land he sold after a time, and purchased the prop- 
erty on which he is now residing, which consists 
of four hundred and twenty acres, and besides 
this he has one hundred and sixt}' acres on another 
tract. 

Although Mr. Poest came to this section wlicii 
it was sparsely settled and under little cultivation, 
and was compelled to labor haul and do without 
many of the luxuries which seem so indis])ensable 
at the present lime, he and his family were con- 
tented and liap]\v, and pros[)ered in spite of ad- 
verse circumstances. In his struggles to obtain a 
goodly heritage for his children, he was ably as- 
sisted by his industrious and economical wife, 
whom lie nianied in 1819, and whose maiden 
name was Gertie Kamps, daughter of llcrn-n and 
Henereka (,\skps) Knnips. .She was born in the 
Netherlands, and was reared there on her father's 
farm. She came to this country with her i)arents, 
and was \initpd in marriage to Mr. Poest, by 



whom she has a family of nine children: tie/.iena, 
wife of Leander Barmen; Henereka, wife of .John 
Vencklasen; Dirk, Berren, Henry, John, .lacob, 
Hannah and William. 

Mr. and Mrs. Poest have long been members of 
the Reformed Church of Zeeland, and for forty 
years Mr. Poest has been an Klder in the church, 
and for two years prior to that time was a Deacon. 
He is a Democrat, politically, has held a number 
of township oflices, and has been active in all good 
works, a valuable acquisition to any community. 



^^^>-^<! 



,tQ>^ 



T^OBERT G. ROBSON, the energetic and 
prosperous dealer in pictures and picture 
■ames, has long been numbered with the 
leading business men of Muskegon, Mich., 
and for the past sixteen years has been intimately 
associated with the development and upward 
growth of the vital interests of the Wolverine 
State. Mr. Robson, b\' nativit}' an Knglishman, 
was born in the city of London in the year 1824. 
His parents, (ieorgc and Rebecca Robson, were also 
born in England. Mr. Robson received his pre- 
paratory education in the excellent public schools 
of England, and later completed his studies in 
a London boarding-school. At a comparatively 
early ago he began to prepare for a self-supporting 
future, leaving t^chool and entering upon a long 
apprenticeship of seven ycai"S to his father, who 
owned a large wagon-shop. Having at the expira- 
tion of this length of time gamed an extended 
knowledge of every detail of the business, our sub- 
ject di'teriniiied to try his fortunes in America. 

Eiiiliuiking from London, Mr. Robson safely 
crossed the broad Atlantic, and after a favorable 
voyage landed in 1848 in the metropolis of New 
York, and there, linding ready employment, re- 
mMiiu'd for several years. Finally following the 
tide of emigration to the Westward, our subject 
journeyed to Illinois, and for seventeen years lived 
in Bloomington. Being a skilled mechanic, he never 
experienced any difliculty in f)bt!iiiiing remunera- 



400 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



tive employment, and in making changes of resi- 
dence was animated only by the desire to better 
himself. In 1877, Mr. Robson came to IVIicliigau 
and, jileased with the country and people, settled 
in Muskegon, where at first he worked at his trade 
and later engaged in his present business, which 
he has since successfulh' conducted u|) to the 
present time, his affal)le courtesy and business 
rectitude making him many friends and custom- 
ers. 

In 1848, in the mother country, were united in 
marri.age Robert G. Robson and Miss Adalaide 
Langabeer, of London, England, and si.^ children, 
one son and five daughters, have blessed their 
union. Our subject is politically a Republican, 
and without having ever been in any sense of the 
word a politician, has alwa^-s taken a deep interest 
in both the local and national management of pub- 
lic affairs. To his adopted country loyal and true, 
Robert G. Robson is ever ready to do his duty as 
a liberal-spirited and progressive citizen. 



»^' » ■» »'< t i t j i ^ F ^ 



? I ' . » -..«.■ 



Sf^YRON B. GODFREY, M. D., a prominent 
LsS' physician and successful surgeon of llud- 
f®)))j sonville, is one of the public-s|)irited and 
^i^Sf^ progressive citizens to whose influence the 
present prosperity of the village is largely due. 
The family of which he is an honored representa- 
tive originated in Wales, whence in an early daj' 
some of its members removed to America and be- 
came identified with the growth of this country. 
The paternal grandfather of our subject, Thomas 
Godfrc}', was a trader between the East Indies and 
Kew York for many years, and later became a 
contractor on the Erie Canal. 

Tlie father of our subject, Alraon Thomas God- 
frey, was a native of Xnn Kensselaer County, N.Y., 
born August 5, 18()(). lie married ]\Iiss i^ovina 
Beardsley, a native of Hannibal, Oswego Country, 
N. Y., born September 10, 1812, and the daughter 
of James Beardsley. After their marriage, which 
w.as solemnized in IVew York, the parents of our 



subject resided in that State for a number of j'ears, 
and thence removed to Wisconsin in 1853, settling 
in Port W.ishington. In 1868 thej' came to Michi- 
gan, and located in Tallmage Township, Ottawa 
County, where they resided for eight years. Sub- 
sequently they made their home with our subject 
until their demise, the father passing away on 
the 7th of April, 1884, and the mother January 
10, 1892. 

In the parental family there were eight chil- 
dren, four of whom are now living, as follow: Mrs. 
C. E. Smead, of Grand Rapids; Morrill, a resident 
of Lansing, Iowa; Mrs. L. G. Allen, of Chicago; 
and our subject. The parents were honorable, up- 
right and religious, the father being identified 
with the Christian Church, and the mother a 
member of the Baptist Church. Politically, he 
was a Whig, and after the organization of the 
Republican party supported its principles. The 
youngest of the surviving children is the subject 
of this notice, who was born in Hannibal, Oswego 
County, N. Y., March 1, 1848. His primary ed- 
ucation was received in the common schools of 
Port Washington, Wis., and later he conducted 
his studies at Fond du Lac. 

After completing his studies, our subject taught 
school for eight years, beginning at a salary of *30 
per month and "boarding round." His last term 
was as Principal of the Grandville public schools. 
He began his professional studies at Detroit Medi- 
cal College, and afterwards entered Rush Medical 
('ollege at Chicago, from which he was graduated 
with the Class of '78. He opened an olHce for the 
practice of his profession at Lamont, Ottawa Coun- 
tj', where he remained for one year. In 1880 he 
located in Hudsonville, where he has resided ever 
since. At tiie time of locating here, there were 
four other physicians in the place, but he soon 
gained the entire practice and^s now the only 
physician residing here. In addition Id his duties 
as a general practitioner, he does a large amount of 
surgical work, in fad more than any other sur- 
geon in the county outside of the large cities. 
His practice is by no means limited to the village, 
but includes a circuit of eight miles, and his 
reputation as a skillful and successful [iliysician is 
as widely known as his name. 



Portrait and biographical record. 



401 



In 1870 the Doctor was united in marriage 
with Miss Mary Caiista. dauuhlcr of L. T. and 
Maria 15. (St- tt) Hursicv. Ilcr fatiier was born in 
Hannibal, Oswego County. N. V., on tlii' l.'ilU of 
March, I8"21.an(i was one of tiie very first set- 
tlers of this township, iiaving aided in the erec- 
tion of the lirsl house built in Liiniout. He 
still survives, making his home in this tOwuslii[). 
His wife, who w.as born in ICllisburg, N.Y., Au- 
gust 17, 1817, died on the 10th of March, 1872. 
The^" were the parents of six children, of whom 
our subject's wife was the eldest. She was born 
on the 7tli of .June, IH.Ol, in Georgetown Town- 
ship, Ottawa County, .Mich., and received her 
education in the Orandville schools. Their union 
has resulted in the birth of four children, two 
of whom are now living, namely: Pearl Cleo 
and Almon T. The former, who was born in 
Tailmadge Township February 1(1, 1873, was 
giadviated from Hope College, in Holland, Mich., 
in the Class of 'UO. She became the wife of the 
Ucv. Isaac Van Kamiien on the 28th of .lunc, 1893, 
and now resides in Saildle River, N. .1., where he 
is pastor of the Dutch Reformed Church, .American. 
The parents of Mr. Van Kainpen were among the 
early Dutch settlers of Holland, tliis State. He is 
a young man of line education, Iiaving graduated 
in Swcen.sburg's Business College, at Grand Rapids; 
Hope College, at Holland; and Hutger's Seminar}-, 
in New .lersey. Our subject's only son, Almon 
Tanner, was born in Tailmadge Township, Ottawa 
County, and was graduated from the Hudsonville 
school in 1893. He is now a student at Hope 
College. 

In his social connections the Doctor is identified 
with the .Masonic or<lcr at Coopeisville; Lodge 
No. 346, 1. (). (). !•', at Hudsonville, and the Order 
of Maccabees, of which he is Kxamiiiing Phy- 
sician. He has been actively identified with the 
Good Templars for a number of years. His wife 
also takes an active part in the temperance work. 
In politics a stanch Kepublican-Prohibitionist, he 
lias been for years one of the most inlluential 
members of his parly in this section of the .State. 
In 189(t he was the candidate for Congress from 
the Fifth Michigan District, and received a large 
number of votes, although defeated with the re- 



mainder of the ticket. He was a delegate to the 
Prohibition Xation:il Convention at Indianapolis, 
Ind., in 18;)(l, and has also represented his party in 
other important positions. He has served as 
Justice of the Pe;icc and in other local odices. 

In all matters pertaining to his piofcssion. the 
Doctor is interested and well iiiformed. lie is a 
member of the State Medical Society, and in 1891 
be read a paper before that organization upon the 
subject of "La (;iipi)e." His contributions to 
medical journals prove the possession of broad 
information and wise judgment, and show that he 
keeps abreast with every advancement made in the 
profession. He has furnished articles on impor- 
tant topics to the I'hysician and Surgeon, at .\nn 
Arbor, and the Medical Be view. He is not only 
prominent in the State Medical Society, but also 
takes an active part in the National Medical So- 
ciety, and is now serving his third term as Piesi- 
dent of the Grand River A'alley Medical Society. 
Throughout the years of his professional labors, 
his interest in agriculture has been continuous, 
and he has superintended the management of his 
large farm. He served as President of the South 
Ottawa Agricultural and Horticultural Society, and 
is inlluential iu farming circles. He is also promi- 
nent in educational affairs, and is the President of 
the School Board at Hud.sonville. He aided in 
the organization of the South Ottawa Teachers' 
Association, and has been an honorary member of 
the society since its formation. 



r_^_ 



I'liKKTSTHlN. There is in all Muskegon 
y Township no finer farm than that which is 
owned and occupied by the subject of this 
^) sketch. It comprises one hundred and fif- 
teen acres, upon which have been placed the usual 
improvements of a fir>t-class estate. The land is 
divided and sub-divided into fields of convenient 
size, some of which are utilized for pasturage, others 
planted with clover and hay. while a considerable 




402 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



portion of the property is devoted to the raising 
of cereals. There is a fine orchard on tlie |ilace, 
which was planted by Mr. Stein, and from which 
are annually gathered large harvests of ripened 
fruits. 

A native of the Province of Luxemburg, our 
subject was born Novembei- 3, 1831. His parents, 
Nicholas and Catherine (Shelters) Stein, were na- 
tives respectively of Prussia and Luxemburg, and 
the former died in Muskegon, Mich. Hubert is 
tiie eldei' of two children, tlie other being a daugh- 
ter. Susanna. In his native place he passed the 
years of his boyhood, and at tlie age of twenty-one, 
having resolved to seek a home in the New World, 
he crossed the broad Atlantic and after lauding in 
the United States proceeded West to Wisconsin, in 
1852. Locating at Port Washington, lie worked 
on a farm, receiving a compensation of $8 per 
month. 

Coming to Muskegon in 18.52, Mr. Stein was 
employed in a sawmill in the woods during the 
winter season, receiving a salary of $12 per month. 
Afterward he engaged in teaming from Grand 
Rapids to Muskegon, before the advent of the 
railroad in this section of Michigan. Subsequently 
he embarked in the lumber business and accumu- 
lated a large amount of property, being at one 
time the owner of twentj'-nine hundred acres. He 
has always been a veiy industrious and persever- 
ing man, and during his prime was accustomed to 
toil until a late hour every night. While work- 
ing for himself, he has not been selfish or careless 
of the rights of others, but all associated with him 
have found him kind and considei-ate. 

The marriage of Mr. Stein occurred in the Cath- 
olic Church at Muskegon in 18.55, his bride being 
Miss Elizabeth Zimet, a native of Luxemburg. ,AIr. 
and Mrs. Stein became the parents of six children, 
as follows: Frank, who was born in Muskegon, 
and is now the owner of two hundred and eight 
acres twelve miles east of Muskegon; Susan, who 
resides with her parents; Catherine, the wife of 
John Schmidt, of Mu.sUegon; Elizabeth, who is at 
home; and two who died in infancy. Mr. Stein 
aided in the erection of the Catholic Church at 
Muskegon and was tlie first man married in the 
edifice. In his political belief, he is a Democrat 



in National issues, but is independent in local pol- 
itics. He has been an incumbent of one or more 
township offices for twenty-five years — as Treasurer 
of the township, Highway Commissioner or Su- 
pervisor. 



4^ 



-^ 




ANS THOMPSON. The farming interests 
I) of Dal ton Township, IMuskegon County, are 
well represented by our subject, who is a 
leading agriculturist of the community, his 
home being on section 17. He first opened his 
eyes to the light of day in the northern part of 
Norway in 1833. His parents, Thomas and Con 
(Peterson) Tarjuson, were both born in Norway. 
The}' became the parents of seven children, of 
whom three died in early childhood. Robert and 
Mary are still living in the Old Country; Amelia 
died at the age of eighteen years, and Hans com- 
pletes the number. 

The subject of this sketch was confirmed in the 
Lutheran Church at the age of fourteen years, and 
from that age made his own way in the world. 
He began to earn his own livelihood as clerk in a 
brass store, and in compensation for his services 
received $20 per year. After a few years spent in 
that wa}', be purchased a small vessel in connec- 
tion with his brother, but while making a trip to 
Germany the ship sank and they lost all they had. 
They then determined to seek a home and fortune 
in the New World, for the glory of its privileges 
and advantages had reached them in stories which 
made them anxious to reach the land of promise. 
Leaving their old home in 1857, they crossed the 
water and located in Chicago. Hans Thompson 
was there employed in a lumber-yard a few 
months, after which he came to Muskegon, where 
he began working in a sawmill. He was also em- 
ployed in a woodyard for several years and was 
engaged in the fishing business for a few years, but 
the last-named cnter|)rise did not prove ver^' suc- 
cessful. 

In 1868, in Muskegon, Mr. Thompson was 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



403 



united in marringc with Miss Turena Thomson, 
and b}- their union liavc been born three eliildrcn: 
, Clara, wlio is in Chicago; and Herman and Jolin- 
nie, both at home. Tiie daugliter was educated in 
Nortli Musiiegon and for some lime engaged in 
teacliing. 

After he iiad abandoned tiie fisliing trade, Mr. 
Thompson engaged in lumbering for himself for 
two years on White River, and during that time 
succeeded in acquiring some ^2,000. With this 
capital he purchased land, becoming the owner of 
his present farm in 1869. He purchased eight}' 
acres, which was then a swampy wilderness, but his 
labors have transformed it into a liighl}- cultiva- 
ted tract, it being one of the well-improved farms 
in the neighborhood, for it is complete in all its 
appointments and is sui)plied with all modern ac- 
cessories. It is located on section 17, Dalton 
Township, and yields to the owner a golden trib- 
ute in return for the care and labor he bestows 
upon it. 

In his political views, Mr. Thompson is a Repub- 
lican, and has held a number of school oflices. 
The cause of education finds in him a warm friend, 
and all worlhj' public enterprises receive his 
hearty support and co-operation We are pleased 
to present the sketcii of lliis worthy citizen to the 
readers of the Bio(;KAriii( ai. Rkiokh. 









LARENCK G. PITKIN, an able druggist 
II ~_ and prominent citizen of Whitehall, Muske- 
^^^ gon County, Mich., is a native of the .State, 
and was born in Ypsilanti, November 2, 18G8. 
Our subject was the youngest of the six children 
of David and Lucy (La Rue) Pitkin. The father, 
born in Union, Broome County, N. Y., January 12, 
1819, was the descendant of an ohl Revolution- 
ary family, well known in tiie Colonial da^-s. By 
trade a mechanic, he was also a ))ractical general 
agriculturist, and, arriving in Michigan in April, 
1868, located on a farm near Ypsilanti, and on the 
homestead built a wagon-shop, and to that busi- 



ness he gave a portion of his time. The fathci- 
also served clliciently as a Justice of the I'eace 
and was a leading man in his locality. In .lune, 
1852, he was united in marriage with Miss Lucy 
La Rue, a native of I'nion, Broome Count}-, N. Y., 
and the daughter of a wealthy stock-drover, who, 
3'et surviving, has nearly icachcd his centenniri! 
birthday, and is now residing in Binghamton, 
N. Y. The La Rues were intimately associated 
with the early history of the United States, and, as 
the name indicates, are of Krciuli origin. 

The eldest child of David I'lMdn was Saraii, 
born August 18, 18r>.'?. She married R. K. Kellogg, 
a pros|)erous farmer of Ypsilanti, and has no 
children. George La Rue Pitkin, born January 16, 
1856, married Miss Delia Dietrich, and has one 
child, a daughter. May, born Februar}^ 8, 1885. 
George La Rue Pitkin is engaged in the drug busi- 
ness at Brighton, Mich. Jennie Pitkin was born 
on the 5th of December, 1857, and resides with 
her parents at Brighton. William I). Pitkin, 
born April 18, 1863, married Mate Jlix and has 
one child, Guy, born Februar}' 27, 1887. AV. I). 
Pitkin is an energetic farmer near Brighton. 
Ernest N. Pitkin, born May 27, 1865, is an excel- 
lent scholar and graduated from the State Normal 
School at Ypsilanti. He is one of the most 
successful teachers in the State and for three years 
has been the Principal of the High School at Iler- 
sej', Mich. When our subject was seven 3-eai-s of 
age bis parents removed to Brighton, Mich., where 
he received his early education in the Union 
School. When sixteen years old, he became a 
student in the Ypsilanti Seminary, where he spent 
one year. During the succeeding two j'ears of his 
life he was engaged in the drug store of his 
brother at Brighton. He next took charge of tiie 
drug store of C. E. De Pew at .Stockridge, Mich. 
In 1885, when the pharinacy law became effective, 
he underwent a most searching examination before 
the board, and was the youngest man passing at 
that time. After two years' experience as manager 
for Mr. DePew, he spent one year and a-half with 
IL Love, of Charlotte, Mich. Then, in 1887, he 
came to Whitehall and took charge of the drug 
store then owned by Lyman T. Covell. 

When the store was burned out in the fire of 



404 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



September 19, 1890, our subject determined to go 
into business on his own account and at once pur- 
chased a small stock of goods and on the first 
of the following October was established in his 
present quarters, one of the most fine!}' appointed 
and commodious stores in this section of the 
State. From the first day tiie business under the 
supervision of Mr. Pitkin has been a success and, 
constantly increasing its proportions, now com- 
mands a custom second to none in its localit}-. 
Upon September 30, 1891, C. G. Pitkin and 
Miss Anna Knudson were united in marriage. 
Mrs. Pitkin, born in ]\Ionlague, is the daughter of 
one of the extensive pioneer lumbermen of that 
part of the State. Our subject has ever been a 
stalwart Republican, and as a member of the Com- 
mon Council is a leading factor in the promotion 
of the local interests and enterprises of Whitehall. 
Fraternally, he is associated with the Ancient 
Free cV Accepted Masons, and both within and 
without this order possesses a host of friends. 
He and his estimable and accomplished wife 
occupy a prominent social position and are closely' 
identified with all matters pertaining to llie up- 
ward growth and advancement of their home 
locality and the village which nuniliers them 
among its enterprising and prosperous residents. 



♦=S5 




HOMAS W. AVATSON is an experienced 
j, and prominent farmer of Olive Towiisiiip, 
PJ* Ottawa County, Mich., the grand natural re- 
sources of which region have l)een develojied by 
the practical and intelligent toil of such men as 
Mr. Watson, who is a native of Kngland,born Feb- 
ruary 23, 18.52, and the son of Edward G.and Re- 
becca (Register) Watson, both of whom were na- 
tives of tliat country. The parents came to Amer- 
ica in the fall of 1H52, and located in Medina 
County, Ohio, wliere they made tiieir home until 
1872. From there they moved to Ottawa County, 
Mich., settling in Olive Townsliip, and the father 



has resided here ever since. Mr. Watson first pur- 
chased twenty acres of lancland engaged in tilling 
the soil, an occupation he carries on at the present 
time. He had tlie misfortune to lose his wife in 
1889. 

Four children were born to this worth}' couple, 
viz.: Elizabeth, wifcof Charles Brown, who resides 
in Ramson Corners, Ohio; T. W., our subject; Har- 
riet A., wife of John Brown, who makes her home 
in this county; and Ed ward,. Ir., also of this county. 
The early schol.astic training of our subject was 
received in the common-schools of the Buckeye 
State, and he continued to make bis home there 
until 1871, when the favorable reports received 
from this State decided him to make a settlement 
within its borders. After reaching this State lie 
came directly to Ottawa Count}', where he purchased 
eighty acres of land, and on this has resided since. 
The land w.asthen unimproved and covered with 
very heavy timber. 

At first Mr. Watson engaged in the lumber busi- 
ness until he had succeeded in clearing his place, 
and then embarked in agricultural pursuits, at 
which he has been unusually successful. lie is 
now the owner of one hundred and sixt>-two acres 
of excellent land, one hundred and fort}- acres be- 
ing well cultivated, and on his place is a pleasant 
rural home and substantial outbuildings. He is a 
practical, progressive and wide-awake young far- 
mer and his accumulations are the result of mnn\- 
days' hard labor. Aside from his fine farm he is the 
owner of a fine lot, 100x50 feet, in Waverly. and 
on tins he expects to build a good residence and 
make otlier necessary improvements. 

AVith his brother he is engaged in the stock busi- 
ness and handles many cattle, sheep and hogs dur- 
ing the year. Like many of the representative 
citizens of the county, he is self-made, for he com- 
menced for himself at the age of twelve years, and 
first received but 82 per month for his services. 
AVliilo husking corn he received eighteen cents per 
day, and thus by saving he has reached his present 
prosperous condition. As a farmer he has been 
successful; as a citizen public-s|)irited, enterprising 
and prominent; and for many year he was con- 
nected with the Grange, holding the position of 
Treasurer during 1878 and 1879. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPIUCAL RECORD. 



405 



Mr. TVatson's happy domestic life began in 1873, 
when lie was married 10 Miss Hebecfa Dressier, a 
native of Medina Country, Ohio, who was roared 
to womanhood and married in that county. She 
was one of live children born to Joseph and 
Elizabeth Dressier, both of whom were natives 
of the Keystone State: James, of Akron, Ohio; 
Sarah, wife of Aaron Camery, of Sharon, Ohio; 
Charley, of Akron; Hel>ecca, wife of our subject; 
and Alice, wife of Perry Varney. Mrs. Dressier 
was a member of the Lutheran Church and died in 
full communion with the same in 1890. Mr. Dress- 
ier still .survives and makes liis home in Akron, 
Oliio. lie is a highly' esteemed and respected cit- 
izen. Mr. and Mrs. Watson's marriage has resulted 
in the birtli of six children: Carrie, Elnora, Iva, 
Lena, Elizabeth and Etlie. Mrs. Watson is a worthy 
member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and 
she and her husband have a host of warm friends. 



=1 



r:=' .- 



^-^ 



JERLEY LAWTON, for eight years one of 
the most successful teachers of New York 
and for two \-ears in Ottawa County, 
I \ Mich., and now a prosperous agriculturist 
near Coopersville, Wright Township, born in 1818, 
in St. Lawrence County, N. Y., is the son of one 
of the early pioneers of the Wolverine State. The 
father, Josiah T. Lawton, a native of Rliode Island, 
was born in 1785. Tiie Lawton famil3' were of 
sturdy and self-reliant Welsh ancestry. The fa- 
ther remained in IJliode Island until about twenty- 
three years of age, and then removed to .St. Law- 
rence County, N. Y., where upon November 26, 
1809, he was united in marriage with Miss Betsey 
Bradley. In 1815 the family journeyed to Mich- 
igan and settled in Ottawa County-, at Coopers- 
ville. The father, in his younger days a mill- 
wright and meclianic, later gave his entire atten- 
tion to agriculture, and when he came to Mich- 
igan bought a farm of one hundred and twenty 
acres, ail wild and wooded land. There were no 
public roads leading to it, and tiie country' was 



verj' new, most of the business in that part of tlie 
Stale being done in Grand Rapids. Tliere were 
then onl3' six families in the settlement, and the 
homestead of the father lay out a little distance 
from Coopeis\ille, the land all about liciiig densely 
covered with a growlli of pine and hemlock. 

The family was coni|)osed of one sister and six 
brotliers, and all the sons but one are yet sur\iv- 
ing. I). I>. Lawton, a preaclier of the Methodist 
Episcopal Cliurch, resides in Florida. Henry Law- 
ton lives in Coopersville. I'lie others make their 
homo in AVright Township. Tlio father served 
bravely in the War of 181-2. and after a life of 
busy industry passed away in 180.'?. Our subject 
continued to reside in his birthplace, St. Lawrence 
County, N. Y., until he was twenty-four years of 
age, when he went to western New York to teach 
school. After stud^'ing in the district schools of 
his home neighborhood he had coni])Ieted his 
studies in Gouverncur Wesleyan Seminary and 
fitted himself for the vocation of teaching. At 
twenty-six years of ago he arrived. May 6, 181G, 
at the homestead of his father, and after spending 
a few months upon the farm went out throe miles 
southeast of Coopersville and i)iircliased one hun- 
dred and twenty acres of land, covered with woods 
and surroiuidod by Indians, being in all its primi- 
tive condition. For forty-seven changing years 
Mr. Lawton lived u))on tlic farm, which is now 
brought under a high state of cultivation and 
annually yields an abundant harvest. Here in his 
home he now enjoys the fruits of many years' la- 
bor and recalls the old times which have gone 
never to return. 

May 9, 1811, I'erley Lawton and Miss Nancy 
Ferguson were married in St. Lawrence County. 
N. Y., from which State they emigrated to their 
home in tlie wilderness of Michigan. 15y this 
faithful companion our subject became the father 
of five children, one of whom died at the age of 
three years, and four are now surviving: Erwin 
married Miss Marion Craig, and lives three miles 
from the old homestead; Wellington U. is a mer- 
chant of Berlin; Nora, now Mrs. Coe, resides in 
Lamoiit; and Chester makes his home three miles 
south of the old farm. The first wife died upon the 
homestead in 1882, and in 1883 Mr. Lawton was 



406 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



wedded to Mrs. Hannah Green, a native of Ohio, 
but a resident of Michigan since her sixteenth 
j-ear, arriving in the Wolverine State in 1868. 
By her first marriage Mrs. Lawton had four cliil- 
dren, tliree of whom are surviving. George A. 
Green is living upon a farm tliree miles west of 
Coopersvillo; .James W. Green, also a farmer, re- 
sides near his brother George; Mary P. (Green) 
Conklin is at home in Wright Township. For 
fifteen j-ears our subject as Clerk transacted the 
business of the township, and for two years was 
the efficient Superintendent of the County Poor. 
He was nominated for the Second District as Rep- 
resentative for Ottawa County in 1862, and came 
within SIX votes of winning, George I^uther being 
elected. Our subject was debarred from serving 
in the late war on account of his defective eye- 
sight. From 1838 to 1848, Mr. Lawton taught 
continuousl}' and found both pleasure and profit 
in the profession of instructor. In early life a 
Whig and later a Republican, he has ever been in- 
terested in both local and National Government. 
For nearly half a century an intelligent eye-wit- 
ness of tiie rapid development of Michigan, our 
subject possesses a store of reminiscences almost 
invaluable and is authority upon the few remain- 
ing landmarks of the past. 



_o?^ 



i.*"&RS3^l£2«L 



'^^j^^ y W"'" «^ »> •'^^r^M .*, 



S felLLIAM KOLB. For thirty years or more 
\/\l/i *''® subject of this biographical sketch has 
^ly^J conducted farming operations upon the 
place which he pre-empted in 1863. A German 
by parentage and birth, he brought with him upon 
emigrating to America the solid and substantial 
traits of character which have contributed to his 
success. After clearing the land he gave his at- 
tention to its cultivation, embellishing it with a 
neat residence, substantial outbuildings and good 
fences, and its present attractive appearance is due 
to his untiring efforts. 

Born in the kingdom of Bavaria, Germany, 
August 5, 1831, the subject of this sketch is the 



son of Leonard and Henrietta (Sproed) Kolb, like- 
wise natives of that kingdom and empire. In 
1849, accompanied b}' their children, thej- emi- 
grated to the United States and located in York, 
Pa., where they resided for seven years. In 1856 
they came to Michigan, and, settling in ^luskegon 
County, here spent their remaining j-ears. The 
father's death occurred in 1859. The wife and 
mother survived him for a number of years, pass- 
ing awa}' on the 20th of March, 1891. In his 
chosen calling the father was a farmer, although 
during a part of his life he engaged in mining. 

Six children were born of the union of Leonard 
and Henrietta Kolb, five sons and one daughter, 
of whom William is the only survivor. In the 
land of his birth he received an excellent educa- 
tion in the German schools, and at the age of 
eighteen years accompanied his parents to the 
United States, settling with them in Pennsylvania. 
In the fall of 1855 he came to Michigan and lo- 
cated in Muskegon County, where for a time he 
worked in the employ of others. In September, 
1861, he was united in marriage with Miss Lj'dia 
A. Butters, a native of New York, who died on 
the 17th of Januar}', 1873. 

The cause of the Union was so dear to Mr. Kolb 
that on the 1st of November, 1863, he enlisted as 
a soldier in Compan}- I, Fourth Jlichigan Cavalry, 
and fought in the defense of the Old Flag until 
June 14, 1865. AVhile surrounding Louisville 
with his regiment, there w-as a heavy snow storm, 
and the exposure resulted in a serious attack of 
rheumatism, which confined him to the hospital 
for some time. Upon recovering from that afliic- 
tion he was seized with a throat disease, which 
incai)acitatcd him for active service for some 
lime. He still suffeis from rheumatism and heart 
disease, which he contracted in the army. Not- 
withstanding these misfortunes, he particii)ated in 
a number of decisive and important engagements, 
among which may be mentioned the battle of Rome, 
Ga., May 15, 1864; Kingston, Pumpkin Vine 
Creek, Dallas, Ga., and many skirmishes. His 
brother Adam was killed in the battle of the 
AVilderness, May 4, 1864. 

Upon returning to Michigan, Mr. Kolb resumed 
agricultural operations. In 1863 he entered from 




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. , ■ .. J y W^ ' 




RESIDENCE OF ASA J OY , -SEC. 3.,SPR1 NG _AKE TP.OTT AWA CO, MICH. 




RESIDENCE OF THANK JONES, S EC.13.J FR U I TLAN D TR, Ivi U oK, lOON Cu.,lv1lLh 



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RESIDENCE UF WILLIAM K0LB,5EC 32 .^ N RTON TR , MUSKEGON CC 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPIUCAL RECORD. 



409 



the Goveinment one hundied and tliiity-tivc acres 
of wild laud, which he has cleared and [ilaced under 
excellent cultivalion. ludcfatigalile industry has 
resulted in the accumulation of wealth, and he is 
now recognized as one of the moneyed men of tiic 
township. His second nianiage occurred on the 
4th of August, 1873, and unitc<l him with Miss 
Theresia Sidel, a native of (lermany, wlio has he- 
come the mother of one cliild, .lustinu, born Sep- 
tember 17, 1882. 

The lirst hallot of Mr. Kolb was cast for .lames 
Huchanan, and he has voted for every He|)ul)li- 
can Presidential candidate since the second term 
of Ahraham Lincoln. He is a man who lakes an 
intelligent interest in all nieasures calculated to 
benefit the community, morally, materially or so- 
cially. In his religious connections, he is a mem- 
ber of the German Lutheran Church, to which his 
wife also belongs. Socially, he is a member of 
Phil Kearney Post No. 7, G. A. H., of Muskegon. 



1^^- 




'/R.VNK .K)NES. Amonic the well-known and 



irT=iu^ progressive farmers of Fiuitlaiul Tiiwn- 
ship, Muskegon County, is this genlleman, 
who was horn in Holstein, (Jorinany, in 1847. 
His residence is situated on his line and well- 
cultivated farm on section l.'i, where he has lived 
for many years. He is considered one of the 
representative men of this district, and has ac- 
cordingly been honored by his friends and neigh- 
bors with various positions of honor and trust, in 
all of which he has acquitted himself admirably'. 
Ill IH'Jd, he was chosen Supervisor, being elected 
by a large majority, and has held that position 
for three successive terms. For two years he 
served as Township Treasurer and .Justice of the 
Peace. At the present time, he is one of the 
School Directors, and can be relied on for the pro- 
motion of all educational interests. 

Our subject is a son of Frank and Anna C. 
(Peterson) .Jones. His paternal grandparents were 
Peter and McGregory (Thompson) Jones, who 
20 



were natives of Holstein, Germany. Peter .Jones 
was an agriculturist, owning a farm of about one 
hundred and sixty acres, and during his lifetime 
he served in various ollicial capacities. He was a 
devoted adherent of the Lutheran Church. He 
reared a family of seven children, namely: Klias, 
Frank, I'eter, fieorge, McGregory, Mary and Cath- 
erena. 

I-"rank .lones was reared to manhood in the Fa- 
therland, receiving a good education. At the age 
of twenty-one years, he became a coachman in the 
household of a German i)rince. When a few years 
had passed, he was drafted into the 13anish army, 
in which his father was at the same time serving. 
After his three years' service in the Danish army, 
he was drafted into the regular German army, 
and remained there for four years, during which 
time several States of Denmark became a paitof 
Germany. During his arduous service he was 
twice wounded, being upon one occasion cut with 
a cavalry sabre, and at another time shot in the 
side. After retiring from the army, he returned 
to the service of his prince as coachman, and con- 
tinued thus employed for live years, during which 
time he married. He still makes his home in Ger- 
many, and is now well advanced in years. The 
mother of our subject had the honor of rearing the 
three children of the Danish king, Frederick \'II. 
She never left her home in Denmark, dying in her 
native land. 

The subject of this sketch is one of four chil- 
dren, two of whom died in childhood. His sister, 
Anna Sophia, is iiuiriied and resides in (icrmany. 
Jn the schools of (Jermany, Frank recei\ed an 
excellent education, which prepared him for an ac- 

1 live career as a farmer and citizen. In 181)0 he was 
drafted into the (icrmaii army. He later left the 
F'atheiland, and, emigrating to the I'niled States, 
made setliement at Sheboygan, Wis., where for one 

I year Ik? followed the occupation of a teamster. 
Later he came to Muskegon, and for several years 
was employed in a sawmill, after which he pur- 
chased eighty acres of his present farm. 

In 1H71 was eelebrated the marriage of Frank 
.Jones and Klizabelh lV)dd, whose father, Andrew 
Todd, was a much-respected farmer of this county-, 
and lost hi.-- life in the late w;ir. Their union has 



410 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



been blessed with seven children, three sons and 
four daughters. Their names in order of birth are 
A. Frank, Anna, Susan, Ella, Lettic, Villie and Fred. 

In 1885, Mr. Jones became the owner of eighty 
acres of land, a portion of his present farm. The 
monej' which he thus invested was acquired 
through }-ears of hard work and careful saving. 
The land at that time, however, was almost in a 
wild state and bore little resemblance to what it 
is to-da}'. It was originall_y ciuite heavily timbered 
and had been partially cleared of pine. As the 
years have passed, the owner has placed man}' 
substantial improvements upon this farm, which is 
one of the best iu this locality. 

In his social relations, Mr. Jones holds member- 
ship with several lodges, belonging to Lodge No. 
457, K. O. T. M.,of D.allon; to German Lodge No. 
179, 1. 0. O. F., of Muskegon; and to Lodge No. 546, 
County Grange. He casts his ballot in favor of 
the nominees of the Republican party, to which he 
gives his earnest support. In religious matters, he 
has not departed from the faith in wliich he was 
brought up, the German Lutheran For his quali- 
ties of integrit}' and true worth he justly deserves 
the high respect in which he is held by one and 
all, and this record of Muskegon County's pio- 
neers and citizens would be incomplete without his 
life historj'. 



-^^ 



E^ 




„.,, SA JOY, a thoroughly practical farmer and 
/Oil fruit-grower, and a highly-esteemed citi- 
zen of Ottawa County, is a native of 
^^ Michigan and was born in Redford, 

Wayne County, October 6, 1830. His father, 
Bennett J03', was born in New York State and 
long made his home near Syracuse. When about 
forty-five years of age lie journeyed to the West, 
and located in Michigan in 1837. While serving 
bravely in the War of 1812, he was wounded and 
taken prisoner at Plattsburgh and held in the 
Quebec prison for three years, being released at 
the close of the war. He later worked on the 



Erie Canal and continued in that business until 
his removal to Michigan. Making his permanent 
home in Wayne County, he resided in Redford 
until his death. His family of eleven children 
was composed of five sons and six daughters. 
Two daughters and three sons are yet living. 

Our subject, the third son, remained in bis birth- 
place until the death of his mother, when he was 
about twelve years old. He made his home with a 
sister in Plymouth until 1862, at which time he 
enlisted in the service of the Government, enter- 
ing the Twentieth Michigan Infantry, under Col. 
Henry A. Jlorrow. He was placed in the Old 
Iron Brigade, Fiist Division, First Corps, Army 
of the Potomac, under Gen. Wadsworth. The 
first commander of the Army of the Potom.ac was 
Gen. Fianklin, the second being Gen. John A. 
Reynolds. Mr. Joj' participated in many of the 
most decisive engagements and aided in covering 
the retreat from the battle of Bull Run. He 
fought at Fredericksburg and was one of the 
soldiers who took an active part in Burnsido's 
" Mud March." He was with the Fifth Wisconsin 
when they laid the pontoon bridges at the charge 
of the Rappahannock, on the Fitz Hugh Crossing, 
before the second battle of Fredericksburg. 

From this scene of war our subject proceeded 
to the battlefield of Chanccllorsville, and thence 
made his wa}' to the conflict at Gettysburg, where 
in the first day's fight he lost a leg. He was in 
the hospital in Gettysburg for six weeks, and now 
receives a pension of >>30 per month, being on the 
roll of honor. As soon as able he returned to PI3'- 
mouth, Wayne County, Mich., where for seven- 
teen years lie engaged in the milling business. 
About 1881 he went to Kansas, and, locating in 
Dorrance, Russell County, remained there for five 
years, devoting himself entirely to agricultural 
pursuits. At the expiration of that time he re- 
turned to the Wolverine State and settled per- 
manently upon his present homestead. The farm 
contains eighty-five acres, about fift^' of which 
have been brought to a high state of cultivation 
and j-ield annually an abundance of general farm- 
ing products, as well as a variet}- of fruit, Mr. Joy 
meeting with especial success in the culture of 
grapes and apples. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRArHICAL lil-XORD. 



411 



■When twentv-foiir years of a^e our subject was 
united in niniriage in Canton, Wa3-ne County, 
Mich., witii Miss Helen K. Safford, whose parents 
were native.-- of Connecticut. It was in 1829 that 
the .Saffords emigrated from tlioir Eastern home to 
the wilds of ^lichignn, wliere they shared in. the 
privations and peculiar experiences of tiie pio- 
neer days. Three of the four children who 
blessed the home of Mr. and ^Irs. Joy now sur- 
vive: Eva, Mary and ^laggic. Eva niariicd (I. H. 
Atkinson and lives on tlic farm; .Mary is the wife 
of Dr. IJrown and makes her home in Dorrance; 
and Maggie resides with her [larcnts. Mr. .loy is 
an adherent of the Democratic party, altliough he 
Las at times advocated the principles of the (Jreen- 
backers. Erateinally, he is identified with the or- 
der of the United Workmen. In religious allilia- 
tion he is a I'resbyterian, his wife also being a 
niember of that denomination. In the varied ex- 
periences of his life, in times of peace and war, 
Mr. Joy has with loyal courage done his full duly, 
and is well worthy of the respect and confidence 
which he receives from a host of old-time friends 
and acquaintances. 



••4-#?#^- 



V ,'OIIN X. WAITIC, a proininent business man 
residing in IludsonviUe, was born in .Sum- 
mit County, Ohio, September 10, 1840, and 
IS the son of Isaac and Rebecca (Dove) 
Waite, natives, respectively-, of Connecticut and 
Ohio. His father w.as born in 1800, and upon 
attaining to mature years settled in Ohio, follow- 
ing the occupation of a farmer in Summit County, 
at the same time also engaging at his trade of a 



w 



shoemaker. At the time of making settlement in 
.Summit County, it w.as comparatively in the prim- 
eval condition of nature, containing few of the 
improvements made at a later day. 

Isaac Waite w.-is three times married. Of his 
liret union two children now survive: Allen, who 
lives in IJudsonville; and Is.aac, a resident of 



Kalk:iska County. Of his second marriage four 
children were born, three f)f whom are still living: 
Benjamin Fr.inkiin, of Wexford County :ind the 
fatlier of four ciiiidren; our sulijecl; and Thomas 
M., of Georgetown Township, Ottawa County, 
\\\u> is inaiiied ami has tliree children. The 
mother of our suliject died in Summit County in 
1811, and Isaac Waite afterward married again, 
liut by this marriage had no cliildri'ii. In 1854 
he removed from Ohio to Miclugan and set- 
tled on section .'i4, (ieoriretown Township, Ottawa 
County, of wiiich he was a pioneer. I'pon tiie 
farm he there im])rovcd he spent the remaining 
j-ears of his life, and there p.assed aw.ay in 18.39. 
The estate is now owned by liis 3'oungest son. He 
wfis a man of upright cliaracter, and a devout 
member of the Free-Will l>iptist Church. 

The subject of this biogiapliical notice pa.<sed 
the years of his childhood in .Summit Countj', 
where he was the recipient of such meagre advan- 
tages as were afforded by the neighboring schools. 
His education, however, has been obtained princi- 
pally in the school of experience, by self-culture 
and observation. At the age of nine years he 
left the parental home, and for the eight years en- 
suing lived with a neighbor, whose home was a 
mile from his father's. He accompanied that gen- 
tleman to Michigan in 1854, and for two years 
lived with him in M.acomb County-, after which he 
came to Ottawa County and resided with his father, 
working out on neighboring farms. 

On the 10th of June, 18G1, the name of .lolin 
X. W:utc was enrolled as a member of Comjiany 
I, Third Michigan Infantry, and with his regiment 
he marched gallantly from (oand Rapids to Wash- 
ington, D. C., where he did guard duty. Erom 
that city he m:irclicd to the front and |)articipated 
in a number of the most Important and decisive 
engagements of the war. After taking part in 
the first battle of I5ull Run, he participated in the 
Peninsular campaign and also in the siege of York- 
town. For a time he was ill, and was confined in 
the field hospital, but the day after the battle of 
Fair Oaks he rejoined his regiment, and continued 
in active service, though far from well. With his 
regiment he si)cnl two weeks before Richmond, 
Va., and from there proceeded to Harrison's I.aiul- 



412 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



ing. He suffered so severely from chronic diar- 
rhrea that he was sent to Hampton Hospital, Ft. 
Monroe, and for three weeks remained there un- 
conscious. He gradually recovered his strength, 
and on tlie 27th of September, 18G2, was discharged 
from the hospital. .Soon afterward he returned 
to his home in Ottawa Count\-, but many months 
elapsed before he regained his former health. 

The marriage of Mr. Waite occurred December 
14, 1862, and united him with Jliss Jennie L., 
daughter of John J. and Mary E. (Wliipple) John- 
son. Her parents were natives of Pennsylvania, 
the father born August 17, 1817, and the mother 
February 17, 1816. They removed to Michigan 
from New York State in 1861, and settled in Ot- 
tawa County on the farm where they spent their 
subsequent days. His death occurred in 1867, 
while she survived a few years, passing away in 
1874. They were the parents of six children, of 
whom five are now living, namely: P^uphemia, 
wife of George Cowan, residing in this township, 
Ottawa County; Alvina A., Mrs. Benjamin Edson, 
of this township, and the mother of two children; 
Mrs. Waite and her twin brother, Lorenzo J., the 
latter residing in Grand Rapids; and Emma, the 
wife of Thomas Brown, of Jamestown Township, 
Ottawa County. The parents of this family were 
members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and 
wei'e people of upright lives and honorable char- 
acter. 

Mrs. Waite was horn in Barry County, N. Y., 
June 1, 1845, and in her girlhood received an ex- 
cellent education. For a time she followed the 
profession of a teaciier in Michigan, meeting with 
success as an instructor and disciplinarian. Her 
union has been blessed by the birth of eight cliil- 
ren, of whom seven are now living. Frank Dorr 
died November 24, 1873, when an infant four 
months old. Eva R. married Harr}' II. Hoyt, of 
Lawton, Mich., and they have three children, 
Goldie, Hazel and an infant unnamed. Louis 
Ruez was united in marriage with Miss Clare B. 
Kline, by whom he has become the father of two 
children, Ivan S. and Clyde E. They reside in 
the village of lludsonville. John J., a resident of 
.Spring Lake, Mich., married Miss May Lawton and 
they have one child, Lisle. Carrie Laverne is the 



wife of Glenn Barnaby and the mother of two 
children, Mary G. and Wordcn J. The other 
cliildren, Glenn Howard, Theresa 15. and Charles 
B^ron, are at home with their parents. 

After his marriage Mr. Waite settled on an un- 
improved farm in Jamestown, Township, where 
he remained until 1870. He then disposed of his 
agricultural interests and, removing toHanley, em- 
barked in the mercantile business, which he con- 
ducted until 1883. Thence removing to lludson- 
ville, he opened a mercantile establishment, which 
he has since carried on with llattering success. In 
1890 he built the store which he now occupies, and 
which contains a eomijlete stock of drugs, notions, 
etc. In his social connections, he is identified 
with the Masonic order at Grandville, and also 
with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, in 
which organizations he has served in an ofHeial 
capacity. 

In educational matters, Mr. Waite maintains a 
deep interest, and has frequently served as a 
member of the local School Board. He has given 
to his children tiie best educational advantages 
possible, and they arc all well informed and ac- 
complished. John J., a j'oung man of brilliant 
attainments, is regarded as one of the best operat- 
ors on the Detroit and Grand Haven Railroad. 
In politics, Mr. Waite was formerly a Republican, 
later an advocate of the principles of the Green- 
back party, and at present afflliates with the Dem- 
ocrats. He was the nominee of his part3' for the 
position of Probate Judge, but, the county' being 
strongly Rei)ublican, he was defeated. For eigh- 
teen years he has served as Justice of the Peace, 
and is the present incumbent of that office. He 
is now serving his third consecutive term as Super- 
visor, and has .the distinction of being the only 
Democrat ever elected to the office in this town- 
ship. He was offered the position of Chairman of 
the County Board, but refused to accept. While 
a resident of Hanley he was appointed Postmaster, 
in 1872, and served for three years. Jn 1884 he 
was appointed Postmaster- at lludsonville and 
served until the expiration of his term, when he 
was removed against the wishes of almost the en- 
tire populace. On the 26th of April, 1893, he was 
again appointed Postmaster, and is the present oc- 



PORTRAIT AND BlOGRAPmCAL RECORD. 



413 



ciipant of tlie position. In roligioiis matters, lie 
gives liis support to all diuiclics. and while resid- 
ing in Ilanlcy served as Superintendent of the 
Sunda3--school. lie has also served one year in 
tiie office of Assistant Superintendent at Iludson- 
ville. 



■^5 



T^r-. 







ETER W. LOSBY is a Justice of the Peace 
and Notary Public of Muskegon, and is 
recognized as one of tiie valued citizens 
and prominent men of this place. lie 
manifests a coiumendable interest in everything 
that pertains to its welfare, and alwa^-s hears his 
part in supporting those enterjirises calculated to 
advance the general welfare. 

Mr. Loshy is a Norwegian 1)V birth. His father, 
Wilheim Losbj^, and his motiier, who bore the 
maiden name of Bertie Olson, were natives of Ger- 
many and Norway, respectively', and tiie former 
followed cabinet-making as a means of livelihood. 
Our subject was born in Christiana, Norway, on the 
2.')tli of .lamiary, 18.51. The days of his boyhood 
and youth were quietly passed, no event of special 
importance occurring during that period. His 
education was acfiuiied in tiie common schools, 
but at an early age he began to make his own way 
in the world, and his school life was thus cut 
short. When a lad of nine summers he sliipiied 
.as cabin-boy on a vessel plying between Norway 
and England, and continued to live the life of a 
sailor until nineteen years of age. lIoi)ing to bet- 
ter his linancial condition by removing to the 
New World, for he had heard that excellent op- 
pf)rtunities were afforded young men in the land 
of liberty, he emigrated to America in 1868. 

For a few years following, Mr. Losbj' sailed on 
the (ireal Lakes, and made his home in Chicago 
for two years after his arrival. In 1872 he began 
working in a sawmill in Muskegon, and to that 
labor devoted his energies for some time. In 
1876, he was elected .Justice of the Peace and No- 
tary Public, which ollice he is acceptably filling. 
He has also served as Township Trustee of Lake- 



side Township, and also Township Clerk for two 
j-ears, and in 18!»2 was appointed Acting Police 
Justice, which office he filled for one year. In 
politics, he is a stanch Republican, warml}' advo- 
cating the principles of his party. Socially, he is 
connected with the Knights of the Maccabees, and 
with the Modern Woodmen of America, being also 
a member of Banner Lodge No. 430, I. O. O. F. 

On the 12lli of July, 1882, Mr. Losby was united 
in marriage with Miss Carrie M. Marshall, of Mus- 
kegon County, and a daughter of James Marshall, 
a native of F.ngland. By their union the}- have 
become the parents of three daughters: Persey B., 
Peail S. and Lcnora A. The faiuil}' circle yet re- 
mains unbroken, and the children are still under 
the parental roof. The family resides at No. 28 
Blodgelt Street. No country furnishes to Amer- 
ica better citizens than tiie Scandinavian Penin- 
sula, and our subject is a worthy representative of 
his countrymen. Since coming to America he 
has been successful in his businees career, and in 
consequence need never regret his removal to the 
New World, for it has furnished him acomfortable 
home and good property. 



mi\^\ c^^ t 



^OIIN DE HAAS, a successful dealer in all 
varieties of meats and provisions, operates 
one of the finest and best-stocked estali- 
lishments of Muskegon, Mich., and is num- 
bered among the leading business men of the 
city, his enterprise and ability securing him a line 
custom, second to none in his locality. A native 
of the Netlierlands and born on the 7th of Octo- 
ber, 1836, our subject passed the early 3'ears of 
childhood in his birthplace. The father, Abraham 
De Haas, a hard-working and intelligent man, 
finally decided to remove with his family to 
America, and in 1843, with his wife and children, 
embarked for tlie new home beyond the sea. The 
mother, Jacoba Fisher, a native of Holland, found 
her time employed during the pass.age in the care 
of her little ones, and all were happy when the 



) 



414 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



long voyage ended and the family safely landed 
in New York. From the metropolis of the Em- 
pire State journej-ing to Buflfalo, the parents 
located near the latter city, where the father pur- 
eliased a farm of one hundred and sixty acres, and, 
settling permanently, soon became identified with 
the interests of his American home. 

John, then but seven years of age, received his 
primary education in the public school of the 
home neighborhood, and later attended the free 
scliools of Buffalo. Our subject was trained to 
habits of industr3', and remaining until lie was 
twenty-five years of age in the Empire State 
was variously employed. Energetic and very am- 
bitious, he at last decided to try the farther West, 
and in 1861 removed to Michigan, making his 
home in the city of Muskegon. Here he thor- 
oughly learned the trade of a butcher, and later 
eng;iging successfullj' in tiie meat business on his 
own account has since prosperously conducted a 
large trade. 

In December, 1860, John De Haas and Miss 
Catherine Vandervere were united in marriage 
in Grand Haven, Mich. Tlie estimable wife of 
our subject is a native of Holland and the 
daughter of Henry Vandervere, born in the 
Netherlands and the descendant of a long line of 
honest and thrifty Hollanders. The union of Mr. 
and Mrs. De Haas has been blessed by the birth 
of four children, one son and three daughters: 
Jennie, the eldest-born, is the wife of Andrew 
Wierengo, a well-known citizen of Muskegon; 
Nellie is at home; Annie is the wife of Edward 
Kraal; and Abraham is a shipping-clerk for Andrew 
Wierengo, a wholesale grocer, and is a young man 
of fine business al)ilit3-. 

The attractive family residence is desirably 
located at No. 147 Terrace Street, Muskegon. Mr. 
De Haas is fraternally associated with the Independ- 
ent Order of Odd Fellows, and is a valued mem- 
ber of JIuskegon Lodge No. 92. A man of gen- 
erosity and kindly feeling, our subject h.-is as a 
member of the German Aid Society assisted manj- 
an unfortunate fellow-countryman, and is ever 
active in good works and benevolent enterprises. 
Politically a Republican and an aident advocate 
of the principles of the party, Mr. De Haas was 



elected Superintendent of the Poor of the cit3- of 
Muskegon, and with efficiency discharging the 
numerous duties involved, held with honor the 
responsible position for five and a-half 3'ears. 
In his business and public work earnest, upright, 
faithful and energetic, our subject has not onl3^ 
won financial success and gained a competence, 
but has secured the universal esteem and <;onfi- 
dence of his fellow-citizens. 



'--^g 



^^HRISTIAN J. COOK. Ottawa County, 
(I _, Mich., is an Eden of fine farms and agri- 
^^y cultural tracts. There are coinparativel3' 
few very small tracts, and each farmer tries to out-, 
do his neighbor in the cultivation and improve- 
ment of his land. Of the man3- fine, attractive 
places none are more conspicuous than that be- 
longing to our subject. Olive Township, like 
many other parts of Ottawa County, has been 
benefited by an influx into it of the better class of 
British emigrants, who have helped to build up 
the agricultural and commercial prosperity of tiiis 
section of the country. 

Christian J. Cook was born in Lincoln, Lincoln- 
shire, England, January 29, 1830, and is a son of 
William and Frances (Johnson) Cook, also of 
English nativity. For man3- 3'ears the father 
followed the hotel business in his native country, 
but seeing a better opening for that business in 
America he sold out and crossed the ocean. This 
was in 1838, and lie located at Cleveland, Ohio, 
where he opened the old St. Clair and Farmers' 
Hotel. Later he returned to the land of his birth 
and received his final summons there, in the town 
of Spaulding, Lincolnshire. He was the father of 
three children, as follows: William H., who resides 
in West Point, Wis.; Frances E., deceased, who was 
the wife of Edward Thompson; and Christian J. 

The latter was about eight years of age when 
his father emigrated to the L'nited States, but he 
remained in England until 1859. When about 
fifteen years of age he started out to fight his 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



415 



own way in life, and decided to become a sailor. 
For four years lif was on a vessel wiiicli sailed from 
Blytlio, and for many years he followed the sea. 
Finally he came to America, in 1859, and located 
at Chicago, where he remained for twent3--one 
years. Most of this lime he was engaged in tlie 
furniture Imsiness, and also engaged in ])ainting, 
which he carried on very successfully, lie came 
from there to this count3' in 1880, purchased 
thirty acres of land, and since then has added to 
the original tract, until he now owns two hundred 
acres of valuable land, sevent^'-live acres being 
under a fine state of cultivation. 

Mr. Cook has been twice married, first in Bris- 
tol, England, to Miss Mary A. Bourton, daughter 
of William and Ann (Price) Bourton. Eleven 
children were born to this union, six of whom 
lived to mature years, namely: Frances M., de- 
ceased, who was the wife of Ct. Anys; Harriet E., 
deceased, the wife of William Goodin; H. E., de- 
ceased; Christian B., at home with his parents; 
Martin J.; and Ella M., wlio resides in Kansas City. 
Mrs. Cook died in 1888, when tifty-four years of 
age. Mr. Cook's second marriage was to his first 
wife's sister, Mrs. Caroline Scott, their nuptials 
being celebrated in 1888. In the ^-ear 1892 Jlr. 
Cook was elected Justice of the Peace, and dis- 
charged the duties incumbent upon that [Position 
in a ver^- satisfactory and creditable manner. 
Although a representative Englishman, Mr. Cook 
has ever been a strong advocate of American in- 
stitutions, and gives his hearty support to all 
worthy enterprises. In politics he is a Republi- 
can, and is deepl3- interested in all public im- 
provements, contributing liberally of his means to 
further all enterprises. 



♦^N!l<^€*-^ 



•IIO.MAS I). SMITH, M. 1).. a retired physi- 
cian of Muskegon County, and a public- 
p^' spirited and popular citizen of Ravenna 
Township, was born in New Milford, Conn., Au- 
gust 23, 1815. He is the son of .James W. Smith, 



a native of the State of New York, who removed 
from there to Connecticut in early manhood, and 
engaged in fanning. In the Nutmeg State he w.as 
united in marriage wilii Miss Sarah Canfield.ana- 
tiveof Connecticut, and after tlieir union they re- 
mained in New Milford until 1824. Then, return- 
ing U) the Empire State, the father settled in Pine 
Plains, Dutchess County, where iie resided until 
he departed this life in 1876. 

The next to the youngest in a family' of six 
chililren, the subject of this notice is now the onl^- 
survivor of the entire number, willi the exception 
of Benjamin, a resident of Miniieaiiolis, Minn. In 
the village of Pine Plains, Thonuts 1). received his 
primary education, and at the age of twenty yeai-s 
he entered the school at Amenia, Dutchess Coun- 
ty, N. Y., where he conducted his literary studies 
for six months. He aided his father on the home 
farm, and worked with unwearied zeal as a tiller 
of the soil until he was twenty-four, when he lost 
the use of his right hand. This unfortunate acci- 
dent forced him to seek some other occupation 
than that of an agriculturist. 

Having cherished a fondness for the medical 
profession, our subject commenced to stiid\' under 
Dr. Benjamin S. Wilbcr, a i)rominent practitioner 
of Pine Plains, N. Y., with whom he read for three 
years. Afterward he attended lectures at the old 
College of Physicians and Surgeons on Crosby 
Street, N. Y., where he prosecuted his medical 
studies during 1814-45. At that time he was too 
poor to continue his studies, and the facultj- of- 
fered to take his note and allow hira to complete 
the course of instruction, but Dr. Parker advised 
him to remove to the West and practice for a 
few years, then return to New York and finish 
the course. 

Acting upon that advice, the young physician 
came to Michigan, and for three months sojourned 
in Grand Rapids. His brother liad started a lum- 
ber-yard in Chicago, and, proceeding there, he re- 
mained in his emplo}' for six months, when the 
burning of the lumber-yard obliged him to seek 
otlier employment. He came to Ravenna, Muske- 
gon County, in 1847, but there were so few people 
in this village at the time that he was not justi- 
fied in practicing his profession. He therefore 



416 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



found eraploj-ment at other work, and has con- 
tinued to make his home liere ever since, retiring 
from active practice in 1867. 

A Republican in political belief, the Doctor has 
served sixteen years as a member of the County 
Board of Supervisors, and has occupied other local 
positions. He has engaged considerably in con- 
veyancing, etc. Socially, he is identified with 
Ravenna Grange No. 373. The Doctor has never 
cared to exchange the independent life of a bach- 
elor for the uncertainties of matriraon\', and for 
more tiian forty years has remained continuously 
at tlie same boardin<j-liouse. 



^ 



^ 



|lZ_^ENRY DE KKUIF. Among the successful 

jfjl* enterprises owned and conducted by the 

citizens of Zeeland may be mentioned tlie 

0) agricultural-implement business, of which 
the subject of this sketch is the genial proprietor. 
In the year 1882 lie located in this village and 
embarked in the business in which he has since 
engaged. So greatl.v was he prospered that in 
1892 he erected a commodious and substantial 
building, admirably adapted to tlie needs of his 
trade and stocked witli a complete assortment of 
first-class farming machinery. He gives emplo3-- 
ment to five men, and sells a large number of im- 
plements tliroughout the county. 

A native of Ottawa County, our subject was 
born at his father's home on section 17, Zeeland 
Township, and is the son of Henry and Dina (Van 
DeLuyster)I)e Kruif. His paternal grandfather, 
Anthony I)e Kruif, was a laborer in Holland, and 
had a family of two sons and four daughters. Of 
these children, .lohn emigrated to America and 
died wiiile serving in the Union army during the 
Civil War; Henry is tlie fattier of the subject of 
tliis sketch; and IVternella is Mrs. .loliii Peck, and 
resides at Greenville. 

Henry Do Kruif, Sr., was born in Gelderland, Hol- 
land, .July 2o, 1817, and was reared to manhood in 
the land of his birth. Emigrating to America in 



1846, he accompanied Dr. A. C. Van Raalte to Hol- 
land. Mich., but soon afterward came to Zeeland. 
As he soon gained considerable knowledge of the 
English language, he was employed by the firm of 
Rabbers & Rekken to do business for them among 
the English-speaking people. After engaging in 
tlie mercantile business for two years, he purchased 
an eighty-acre tract of land, which he cleared and 
improved and upon which he conducted agricul- 
tural operations. In 1861, he removed to the 
village of Holland, where for three years he en- 
gaged in the butcher business, and later carried on 
a tannery. He returned to his farm in 1866 and 
there remained, engaged in agricultural i)ursuits, 
until the spring of 1892, when he came to the 
village of Zeeland. and now lives retired from 
active labors. 

Politically, Henry De Kruif, Sr., was a Democrat 
prior to 1860, since which time he has been an 
active member of the Republican party. In his 
religious belief he is a member of the Reformed 
Church, in which he has officiated as Deacon. He 
was twice married. His first wife bore him one 
son, Geerlinus V.., now a resident of Grand Rapids. 
She died in Holland when comparatively young. 
The second marriage of Mr. De Kruif resulted in 
the birth of eight children: Johannes, Anthony, 
Dina J., Hcnderika (who died at the age of thir- 
teen), Heniy, William, Peter J. and Jannes. The 
mother of this family was born in Zeeland, Hol- 
land, December 22, 1824, being the daughter of 
Jannes and Dina (Xaaije) Van DeLuyster, who 
came to the United States in 1847, and located 
in Zeeland, where the father dealt in real estate. 
He engaged in farming, and accumulated large 
and valuable landed possessions. A benevolent 
man, kind and whole-souled, he was highly re- 
garded in this coininunity, and was the "court of 
arbitration" for all who were in trouble in the 
community. 

The subject of this sketch was reared on the 
home farm and received a commercial education 
at Grand Rapids. At the age of twentj--three he 
began in life for himself. In 1880, as above 
stated, he came to Zeeland, where he Las since 
conducted an extensive and profitable business. 
His attention is devoted closel}- to his business, 



rORTRAlT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



417 



and lie lias very little time for political affairs. 
However, he is interested in everything pertain- 
ing to the welfare of his coinnuinily, and casts his 
ballot for the candidates and principles of the 
Republican party. His fellow-citizens have fre- 
quently solicited him to accept nominations for 
•iflices of trust, but he has steadily refused all such 
honors, preferring to give his attention exclusivelj' 
to his business affairs. 

The marriage of Mr. l>e Ivruif occurred April 
11,188!), and united him with Miss Henderika J. 
Kremer, who was boin in Holland. Her parents, 
Rev. J. and M;iiia Johannah (Kroeze) Kremer, 
were also natives of Holland, whence they emi- 
grated to the United States in 1878, and are at 
present living in Detroit, Mich. One son has 
blessed the union of jMr. and Mrs. I)e Kruif, Paul j 
Henry. The religious home of the family is in 
the Dutch Reformed Church, now known as the 
Reformed Church of America. In the social 
ciiclcsof Zeeland Mr. De Kruif is well known, and 
with his excellent wife occupies n liiuli i)lace in 
the reg.Trd of .nil who know him. 



'■*%'<&*ie^ 



'\ls^ A. O'CONNOR, a leading general agricul- 
turist and successful fruit-grower of Cedar 
'i^^ Creek Township, Muskegon Cc)unty, Midi., 
owns a linely located farm, one of tiie 
most highly cultivated in the district of Holton. 
Mr. O'Connor is a native of the (Queen's domin- 
ions, and was hoin in (Quebec, Canada, .]um' Hi, 
I81C. His parents, Andrew and Hannah .1. (Lewis) 
O'Connor, were both born in the riiited .Slates, 
liic father in New York, ami the mother in Penn- 
sylvania, but afterward removing to Canada, were 
married there. Andrew O'CViniior was a machin- 
ist by trade, a nail-maker. lie yet resides in Can- 
ada and lives in the piovince of Ontario, a hale 
and hearty man of seventy-live. The mother also 
surviving is seventy-three years of age. They 
reared a, family of five children, of wiiom Henry 




was the eldest-born; Mary is the wife of Herman 
Clark; William is a cabinet-maker; .Sarah married 
Robert Lowery; .lames is engaged in the railroad 
business in Canada. All the sons and daughters, 
with the exception of Henry, reside in the prov- 
ince of t)ntario and arc well known and highly 
respected for their ability and upright character. 
Our subject, reared in his birthplace, was from his 
earliest youth trained up to habits of industry 
and self-reliance. 

The i)arents of Mr. O'Connor, although not 
richly endowed with this world's goods, gave to 
their children the best possible opportunity of 
improvement afforded b^' their limited means. 
Our subject received his education in the prov- 
ince of Ontario, and after having from boyhood 
assisted his parents to care for the younger mem- 
bers of the familv, finally, at the age of twenty- 
four years, began life for himself. He learned 
after his marriage the trade which he followed for 
a time, that of a tinsmith. Having long resolved 
to try his fortunes in the United .States, Mr. 
O'Connor immediately after forsaking the estate 
of single blessedness journeyed with his bride to 
the far West of Michigan. The lady whom our 
subject married was Miss Margaret Anderson, a na- 
tive of Ontario and a daughter of Robert and Le- 
titia (Carlton) Anderson. This estimable lady 
is the mother of lour children. Herman and Her- 
bert (twins) were the eldest of the three sons; 
Wiley was the next in order of birth; and Min- 
nie, the only daughter, was the youngest of the 
family. 

Immediately after arriving witiiin tiie borders 
of the State, Mr. and JNIrs. O'Connor settled in 
Ionia County, township of .Saranac. where our sub- 
ject fitted himself for the trade which lie followed 
continuously for eight years, linding re;idy and 
profitable employment as a tinsmith. At last de- 
ciding to devote himself to agricultural pursuits, 
Mr. O'Connor in 1878 made his home in Muske- 
gon County, and loeate<l on section I?."), township 
of lloiloii, on (Jovernment l.ind. In ixs.'i he pur- 
chased his present farm, consisting then of eighty 
unimproved acres. Forty acres of some of the 
best soil of Micliigan he has ik)w brought under a 
profitable state of cultivation and further iiii- 



418 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



proved with a liandsotne residence, substantial 
barns and outbuildings. Our subject aside from 
general agriculture lias a peach orchard of three 
acres and is constantly adding to tiie value of bis 
farm by a wider range of improvement. Frater- 
nally' our subject is connected with Saranac Lodge 
No. 168, L O. O. F., and politically is a Demo- 
crat. He lias filled witli ability various local 
otticcs of trust, and for one year served efficieutl3' 
as Township Clerk, also for a twelvemonth per- 
forming the duties of Township Treasuier to the 
great satisfaction of the citizens of the locality', 
by whom he was elected in 1893 to the office of 
Justice of tlie Peace. Our subject is a member of 
the Grange and liberally aids in all fraternal mat- 
ters pertaining to the welfare of the public. 



^^t;^ 



=^ 




ON. JOHN B. PERIIAM, a prosperous 
business man and leading merchant of 
Spring Lake, Ottawa County, Mich., has 
for twenty-seven j-ears been identified with 
his present line of trade, and for thirty years re- 
sided in the same locality of the State, at first 
engaging in the avocation of a teacher. Born in 
Franklin Count3-, N. Y., our subject was the sec- 
ond in a family of seven children, six of whom 
survived to mature years. Lorin O. is a well-known 
druggist of Spring Lake; John B. is our subject; 
Plicebe, tlie widow of Henry Cleveland, conducts 
a business at Nunica; Jane, Mrs. Perry, resides in 
Narragansett Bay, N. J.; Mar^', married, resides in 
Jefferson County, N. Y.; and Jason is a druggist 
of Kent County, Mich. The parents of our subject, 
i>evi and Martha (Sole) Perham, were long-time 
residents of New York, in winch State the mother 
was born, the father being a native of Vermont. 
The Pc'rhams are among the leading families of 
the East, and for generations have been numbered 
with the successful merchants and ])rofcssional 
men of New England and the Empire State. Mr. 
Perham received his education and early training 
111 his native county, but at seventeen years of 



age, beginning life for himself, was employed in 
the Government survey- in Iowa, Jlinnesota and 
Wisconsin. After devoting one season to this 
employment, he taught school three winters in 
Grundy County, 111., and prospected in the sum- 
mer through Minnesota and Kansas. 

At the expiration of this length of time, he 
found emplo3'ment as a teacher in Spring Lake, 
and engaged in that avocation for three continu- 
ous years, then entering into the business in which 
he yet remains and which he has so profitabl}- 
handled for so long a time. His partner was the 
Hon. Allen C. Adsit, of Kent Countv, and both of 
the firm being energetic and enterprising the busi- 
ness throve and was soon one of the best in this 
part of Ottawa Count}-. After eight j-ears Mr. 
Perham bought out his partner, and has since 
conducted merchandising alone, and now has the 
largest store and greatest variety of goods offered 
to the custom of the buyers of Spring Lake and 
its vicinit}'. In 1868 our subject was united in 
marriage with Miss Cassio Cross, daughter of 
Samuel Cross. Mr. and Mrs. Perham have a foster- 
daughter, but no children of their own. They 
are both valued members of the Methodist Episco- 
pal Church, and have been professing Christians 
for many 3'ears, our subject especially being active 
in the support and extension of religious work 
and Influence. For four years he has been Presi- 
dent of the Ottawa County Sunda^'-Scbool Asso- 
ciation, and for twcnt}' years has been Superin- 
tendent of two Sunda3'-schools in Spring Lake. 
In all local matters of religious interest and enter- 
prise he has taken a prominent part, and Is widel}- 
known and hlghl3' esteemed as a vital factor In the 
promotion of good and the elevation of humanit3'. 

Wlien only seventeen 3'ears of age Mr. Perham 
joined the Good Templars and has during his en- 
tire life been a total abstainer. He was instru- 
mental in raising mone3' by subscription to erect 
the first Temperance Red Ribbon Hall in Mlclii- 
gan, where the Reynolds movement was inaugur- 
ated, and was its President for man3' 3'ears. Our 
subject is a pronounced Republican, and has oc- 
cupied with distinction a high pl.icc in the local 
councils of the party. For several 3ears he was 
a member of the Ottawa Count3' Republican Com- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



419 



niittee, and in 1M«(I was elected to llic State 
Lcirislatiiie, and with al)ility and to the great 
.satisfaction of his constituents held the ollice two 
terms. For two terms our subject also discliarged 
the dutii's of Supervisor of Spriuir Lake, and was 
also Town Cleik two terms. For twenty-live years 
as an erticieiit member of the School Board Mr. 
I'erhain lixs materially aided in the advancement 
of educational facilities in the county, and has 
been a true and faillifnl friend to all progressive 
interests. At the lime he was a moinlier of the 
I,c<jijlature he was Chairman of the ('ommitlee on 
Kducation, during his last term, and served as a 
mendier of tlie committee his lirst term. While a 
mendier of the J^iquor Committee he made a can- 
vass of the Legislature on tlie liquor (juestion. He 
was also on the Kngrossment and Enrollment 
Committees. Our subject enjoyed the honor of 
being elected as Delegate to the Hepublican 
National Convention which met at .Minneapolis 
in 1892, and served as Chairman in the conven- 
tion of the Fifth District of Michigan, at which 
time he was selected for the responsible position. 
Aside from liis other occupations, Mr. Perliam has 
prosperously and extensively- handled real estate, 
and self-reliantly winning his upwaid way com- 
mands the conlidence of the entire community'. 



«cj' ■* • •?•#! 



!#•*'«'— ^2, 



J 1/ AMES E. \VILK1XS(JN. who is chaplain of 
I the Akelcy Institute of Grand Haven, 
Ij Mich., was born in Essex County, Mass., 
^__f/ February 'J, 1857, and is a son of Thomas 
Wilkinson. a native of ICngland. The father died 
in the Bay State in November, 187U. The mother 
of our subject bore the maiden name of Mary 
Standi ffc. and was also born in England. 

After attending the common schools of Massa- 
chusetts, Mr. Wilkinson whose name heads this 
record entered a preparatory school in Nashotah, 
Wis., and afterwards became a student in Harvard 
University, from which he was graduated, after 
completing the classical course, in 1881. He 



entered the ministry of the Episcopal Church, 
and in the autumn of 1881 he became rector of 
St. Thomas' Church, of Hamilton, N. Y.. where he 
remained for si.\teen months. He then went to 
I'tica, N. Y., and became assistant minislir of 
Grace Church, under Rev. C. T. Olmstead, remain- 
ing with hini until April, 1888, when he came to 
Grand Haven, Mich. 

Ere his removal to the West, Mr. Wilkinson 
was marrii'd, in .lanuar^', 1885, to Miss Abbie Egnr, 
of Rome, N. Y., a highly educated lady, whose 
culture and relincment would give her a leading 
place in an\- circle of society'. Their union has 
been blessed with three children, a son and two 
daughters: Laurence, .Alary and Elizabeth. 

Having been appointed rector of St. .Ii>lin's 
Episcopal Church of Grand H;iven, Mich., .Mr. 
Wilkinson entered upon the duties of that position 
in the summer of 1888, and in the autumn of the 
same year took charge of Akeley Institute, which 
was duly opened to the public on the 12th of 
September, with our subject as chaplain and his 
wife as ])rincipal. These positions they still hold. 
The land upon which the institute stands was 
donated by II. C. Akeley. now of Minneapolis, 
INIinn., in memory of his daughter, who died in 
1887. He was formerly a resident of Grand 
Haven, and w.is much interested in the growth of 
the city. The erection of the new building was 
due largely to the generosity of Bishop Gillespie, 
of (irand Hajjids, who is Bisiiop of western 
Michigan, and the edifice was erected at a cost of 
*22,()0(). It is a handsome In-ick building, 40x130 
feet, three stories in height, built in modern style. 
supi)lied with all the latest improvements and 
beautifully located on Akeley Hill, where it com- 
mands a fine view of the surrounding country. 

This institution was founded for the education 
of young ladies, and the first year had an attend- 
ance of eleven boarding pupils and twenty day 
pupils. Since then the attendance has increased 
to thirty boarding students and fifteen day pupils. 
The classical languages are taught, also (German 
and French, art, music and the sciences. Young 
ladies are there prepared for entering the univer- 
sities. The professor devotes his entire time to 
the institute, and it has made a steady and healthy 



420 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



growth under his supervision, and bids fair to he- 
come one of Michigan's great seats of learning 
for young ladies. Mr. Wilkinson is a genial, 
affable gentleman, whose excellent education and 
natural ability make him well qualified for the 
position lie so abl^- fills. In 1888 be was granted 
the degree of Ph. D. He has direct charge of the 
liistor\' and mental science classes and the classics. 
His most estimable wife has the personal care of 
the young ladies and is principal of the institute. 



WILLIAM H. II. CR0CKF:R, a practical agri- 
culturist, honored citizen and old settler 
of Cedar Creek Township, Muskegon 
County, Mich., has held with high ability impor- 
tant local offices, and is widely' known and re- 
spected by a large circle of old-time friends. Our 
subject was born in Genessee County, N. Y., 
September 11, 1813, and was the son of James 
and Rebecca (Morgan) Crocker, natives of New 
Hampshire. A paternal ancestor, James Crocker, 
and his two brothers emigrated to America in an 
early day, locating in New England. The father, 
although a patriotic citizen, did not enlist in the 
War of 1812, but, drafted after the burning of 
Buffalo, furnished a substitute. Immediately suc- 
ceeding the marriage of the parents they located 
in New Hampshire, and there remained six years, 
then returning to New York, where the father 
died. The mother passed awaj^ in Illinois, at the 
home of her daughter. James and Rebecca Crocker 
were blessed by the birth of six children. Caroline 
M., the mother of two children, is the wife of 
Abram Haight; William II. II. is our subject; 
Mary A. married Henry D. Hinman, of New York 
State; Lucius F., Maria L. and James M. arc all 
deceased. 

Mr. Crocker attained to mature years in the 
Empire State, and in boyhood received a good 
education in the common schools of the home 
district. He fitted himself for the battle of life by 



learning the art of printing, and while a young 
man self-reliantly taught school. He, however, 
later became a miller by trade, and for thirty-eight 
years pursued the avocation, during that entire 
length of time prosperously conducting an ex- 
tensive milling business. In 1845, our subject 
emigrated from New York State to Michigan, and 
located at first in Ionia Count}', where, as at the 
East, he successfully engaged in milling. Mr. 
Crocker continued to reside in that part of the 
Wolverine State until 1871; then, removing, he 
homesteaded his present property, consisting of 
one hundred and sixty acres, pleasantly situated 
in Twin Lake, Cedar Creek Township, and now 
one of the finest farms in this section of Jluskegon 
County, fifty acres of the then wild land having 
been brought under a high state of profitable 
cultivation and well improved with cxellent and 
commodious buildings. 

In 1845, William H. H. Crocker and Miss 
Eunice W. Williston were united in marriage in 
the Empire Slate. Mrs. Crocker was the daugh- 
ter of Fordyce and Malintha (Cheney) Williston, 
natives of Massachusetts, their ancestors being 
among the early settlers of the old Bay State. 
Mr. and Mrs. Williston were the parents of ten 
children. Hiram II. was the eldest-born; Emi- 
line L. married Dennie Chapman; Eunice W. mar- 
ried our subject; Sardonia W. married Albion Ful- 
ler; Sarah A. married M^ron Balcom; Mary A. be- 
came the wife of J. A. Whipple; Winfleld S. and 
George J. are next in order; Martha P. is the wife 
of M. P. Malcomson; and Einilie.J. married Henry 
Minich. The father and mother of these sons and 
daughters died in New York State, Mr. Williston 
passing away Ma^' 23, 1845, aged fort^'-seven. His 
wife had preceded him to the better land May 26, 
1846, d^-ing at the age of fortj'-five years. Unto 
the union of our subject and his estimable wife 
were born five children: William II., deceased; 
Ellis, wife of W. F. Odion; Arthur H., deceased; 
Dennie W., deceased; and Theron B. at home. 
Mrs. Crocker is a devout member of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church, and has ever been active in re- 
ligious work. Our subject cast his first Presiden- 
tial vote for Martin Van Buren,and also voted for 
W. H. Harrison, "old Tippecanoe." 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



421 



Tlieron B. Crocker, the youngest child of the 
family, was born in Ionia C'uuiily, Mich., April 7, 
1865. He was educated principally- in Muskegon 
County, and attended for one j-ear the High 
School in Lowell, ^lich. Still remaining ujjon his 
fatlier's homestead, he began life for himself at 
the age of twent^'-one, working the old farm upon 
whose broad acres he was reared. In 1891 he was 
united in marriage with Miss Ida M. Ilovey, of 
Michigan. This accomplished l.idy resided near 
Romeo, and was the daughter of Perry and Elen- 
dor (N.osh) Hovey, natives of the Wolverine State. 
Mr. Hovey makes his home in Oceana County, 
where he has a peach farm. Mrs. Hovey died in 
1888, having been the mother of these ciiildren: 
Kdwin A.; Eliza, wifeof A. Hannum; Frank; Ida M. 
and William. The sixth and youngest died in early 
ciiildhood. The ha|)py home of Mr. and Mrs. Tlie- 
ron Crocker has been brightened by the birth of one 
child, Bessie E., born .September 14, 1892. Mr. 
Crocker is a member of the Grange and, a popular 
man, was in 1889 elected Township Clerk and, re- 
elected the succeeding year without a single op- 
posing vote, has in that responsible position for 
four terms given most eflicient public service to 
the home community, by nhoni lie is regarded with 
thorough confidence. 



'-^ 



^>-^^m 



<3>»-s 



^?^EORGE L. LeFEVRE, M. D., the emcienl 
III (=, and popular City Physician and surgeon of 
'^^ Muskegon, Ottawa County, Mich., is a gen- 
tleman of superior professional attainments and 
high culture, and fully enjoys the esteem and con- 
fidence of a wide circle of acquaintance in his 
present localit3'. Our subject, a native New Eng- 
lander, was born in (hand Isle County, XL, Octo- 
ber 22, 18C5. His father, Matthias Le Fevre, was 
a native of Montreal, Canada, but went to the 
tiieen Mountain State, where he was reared and 
educated, having long passed his youth before he 
emigrated to the State of Michigan, now his home, 
his residence being in the city of Muskegon. The 



ancestors of the Le Fevre family dwelt in France, 
but long ago a forefather, coming to America, 
gave to his descendants a home in "the Land 
of the Free," and insured toourcountry a citizen- 
ship which has distinguished itself for broatl in- 
telligence and liberal spirit. The mother, Eleanor 
La Brack, was also of French extraction, and had 
within her veins the blood of a brave and heroic 
people, possessing both talent and patience. She 
was a native of New York, but for some length of 
time made her home in Vermont, after iier mar- 
riage residing in Grand Isle County. 

Dr. Le Fevre received an excellent preparatory 
education in the schools of his native county, and 
passing his youthful days in his birthplace had 
attained to his sixteenth year before he left ^'er- 
mont. In 1881 he emigrated to the farther West 
and located in Muskegon, where, not long after, 
he began to read medicine with Dr. Marvin. Am- 
bitious and enterprising, our subject lost no 0|)- 
portuiiily for improvement, and later studied in 
Chicago, taking a complete course of lectures in 
Hahnemann College, from which well-known insti- 
tution of medicine he graduated with honor in 
ISlll. Witliciut lo.ss of time Dr. Le Fevre, now a 
fuU-lledged ^1. I)., entered upon the homeopathic 
practice of medicine in .Muskegon and the sur- 
rounding country. Although but comparatively 
a very brief time has elapsed since our subject be- 
gan his professional work, he has achieved a suc- 
cess almost phenomenal, and, enjoying a wide- 
spread populnrily in liolh city and country, goes 
forth d.ay after day upon a wide round of profes- 
sional calls, extending far out into the countrv. 

Alike in storm and sunshine faithful to diitv, 
Dr. Le Fevre has rapidly won his upward way to 
an assured success in his chosen vocation, his 
courteous manners and professional skill gaining 
him the hearty good-will and confidence of all 
with whom he comes in social or business contact. 
In 1893 appointed Cit^- Physician, he is now filling 
the position to the utmost satisfaction of his fel- 
low-townsmen, and at the same time neglects no 
detail of his large private practice. Our subject 
is in religious alliliation a member of St. John's 
Baptist Church and is foremost in good work, his 
profession giving him an insight into many scenes 



422 



POETEAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



of suffering and privation, tlie depths of whose 
misery onl\- a family pliysician may ever know. 
Politically, Di-. LeFevre is deeply intoiested in 
the vital questions of the da3', and in common 
with all good American citizens is ever ready to 
do Ills full share in the iiromotion of matters of 
public welfare. He is a favorite with tlie general 
public, and in the city of Muskegon numbers his 
friends by tlie score. 



-l***^^ 



^A4..5.4.^ 



^•5"i''i''J->^^'*-5"5"5'F 



eYRH^ P. IJROWX, M. D., a [wpular and 
highly successful medical practitioner and 
skillful surgeon of Spring Lake, Ottawa 
County, Mich., is a native of the State. Our sub- 
ject, born in Lenawee County, is the son of Dr. 
David Brown, one of the pioneer settlers of the 
last-named county, but a native of Massachusetts. 
Dr. David Brown emigrated with his parents from 
New England to the Wolverine State when only a 
child and attained to manhood upon the farm of 
the paternal grandfather, one of the earliest and 
most energetic of the general agriculturists of 
Lenawee County. The father completed his med- 
ical studies in Pittsfield, Mass., and, thoroughly 
adapted to his profession by natural gifts and ed- 
ucation, became eminent as a physician and sur- 
geon. Aside from his professional duties, as a pub- 
lic-spirited and liberal citizen he devoted himself 
with enthusiasm to the betterment of mankind. 
From his earliest youth a stanch Abolitionist, he 
did not live to witness the freedom of the slave, 
but passed away in 1858, mourned as a public loss. 
The mother, in youth Miss Harriet Peck, of Lena- 
wee County, was a faithful helpmate to the pio- 
neer ph\'sician, and tenderly cared for the three 
sons and one daughter who blessed the Michigan 
home. Our subject, the eldest of the family, like 
his father enjoyed the advantages of an excellent 
education, and after a thorough course in the 
Hillsdale (Mich.) College, giaduated with honor 
in the Class of '68. 

Deciding to enter the same profession in which 



his father had made such an enviable record, our 
subject matriculated at Rush Medical College, 
Chicago, and received his degree in 1870. At the 
age of seventeen Dr. Brown, answering to tlie call 
of his country, enlisteil in Com|)auy !•', Fourth 
Michigan Infantry, and was detailed for service In 
the Army of the Potomac. He particiiiated as 
his initial engagement in the battle of Fredericks- 
burg, and was in various conflicts, remaining in 
the army until 18G4, during which year he was 
discliarged for disability. In 1869, Dr. Brown was 
united in marriage in the county of his birth with 
Miss Clara J.Ames, the young couiilo making their 
home in Lenawee County until their removal, in 
the fall of 1871, to Spring Lake, where tliey have 
since continued to reside. During the jiast twen- 
ty-two years Dr. Brown has been constantly before 
the public, not only as a professional man but in 
various official positions, to the work of which he 
has given the executive business ability for which 
he is distinguished. For the first four years of his 
residence in his present locality our subject was 
Consulting Physician at tlie Slairnetic Slineral 
Springs. A man of enterprise, he in 1888 assisted 
in the organization of the Clinker Boat Manufac- 
turing Company, of Spring Lake, and as its Presi- 
dent aided in the establishment of a fine jobbing 
trade in boats. Dr. Brown is interested in gold- 
mining in the Okanagon mining district, Wasli- 
ino-ton, and was one of the first ujion the ground 
after the discoveries of treasure. 

Our subject has held every ollice in Grand 
Army Post No. 279, of Spring Lake, and was one 
of the charter members of the post. For two 
terms he served as Commander of the post, and at 
the time Gen. Rutherford was Department Com- 
mander he served as Medical Director of tl'.e 
State Department. At the State Encampment 
of the Grand Ainiy of the Republic, held at 
Bay City in the year 1890, the delegates to the 
National Encampment, to be held in Milwau- 
kee, were instructed to cast their vote for Dr. 
Brown as Surgeon-General, (ien. Alger at a 
later date announced himself as candidate for 
Commander-in-Chief, and Dr. Brown withdrew in 
his favor. Gen. Alger having been elected, the 
Doctor served on hisstafif with the rank of Colonel. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



42.1 



While flon. Dufliold was Dep.irlincnt C'oinmau(lor 
Dr. Hrown was for one term a niember of his staff. 
For six years he was President of tlie United States 
Pension Bo.ird at Miisiiegon and iiiccwise enjoyed 
the iionor of being a delegate to tiie National 
Convention which nominated Ucnjaniin Harrison, 
in the fall of 18H8, to the I'residency of the 
United States. 

Politically, the Doctor has been all his life a 
stanch Republican, his father early being an old- 
line Whig and afterward an Abolitionist of the 
most ])ronounced type. The father was also a de- 
vout niember of the Baptist Church and an earnest 
Christian worker. Our subject is fraternally asso- 
ciated with the Ancient Free & Accepted Masons 
and has long been connected with that ancient 
order. He is also a member of the Ta Delta, of 
Hillsdale, and among the pleasant memories of his 
school-days was the companionship of Will Carle- 
ton, who w.as a roommate of his for two years. 
Financially prospered, Dr. Brown has enjoyed the 
pleasure of extended trips to the West, and in 
1892, accompanied by his wife, visited the Pacific 
Slope and spent mau_v months. One son has 
blessed the home of our subject and his accom- 
plished wife. Dana Brown, now connected with 
the boat business, and an energetic and enterpris- 
ing young man, with a brigiit future before him. 
It is safe to say that from a social and business 
standpoint no man in all the counl\' of Ottawa 
more fully possesses the confidence and esteem of 
the general public than our subject, who literally 
numbers his friends tried and true by the score. 



ji^=±^i*_ 



*^=*^H' 



^TTO VAN DVK. Of the younger element 
of our prominent, energetic and inlluen- 
tial citizens, none is better known than 
Otto Van Dyk, who is one of the successful and 
substantial agriculturists of Holland Township. 
Like tiie majority of prominent citizens of the 
county, he is a native of lldlland, born in West 



Vriesland in 18.31, and during the time he has 
made his home here he has shown himself to be en- 
dowed with superior ability and much energy and 
perseverance. As a farmer Mr. \'an Dyk has at- 
tained an enviable reputation, for in conducting his 
farming operations he has brought his good sense 
and his practical views to bear, and has .accumulated 
a fair share of this world's goods. .Satisfied tliat 
he has contributed his share toward the advance- 
ment of the county, Mr. Van Dyk has retired from 
the active duties of life, and can now enjoy tiic 
fruits of his industry-. 

The grandfather of our subject, John Van Dyk, 
was a man of education and a teacher in the 
schools of his native country. He reared a family 
of twelve children, but the father of our subject, 
Gerret Van Dyk, was the only one who came to 
the United States. The latter received a good 
education in earl}' life and was a carpenter and 
mason by trade. When twenty-four years old he 
married Miss Elizaljcth I'asma, daughter of Jacob 
and Trentrayn Pasma,and siiortly afterward joined 
the Christian Reform.ed Church, in which he was 
ever afterward an active member. In 184.') he 
emigrated with his wife and family to the United 
States and first located in Ashland County, Md. 
For two years he worked in the iron mines there, 
and then removed to Milwaukee, Wis., which was 
then but a village, with no railroad or telegraph 
communication. 

Mr. \'an Dyk made the trip from Albany to 
Buffalo by canal and the remainder of the w.iy by 
steamboat. Ten months later he came with his 
family to the settlement of Holland, (Jttawa 
County, IMich., where A. C. Van Raalte had started 
a new town, and there he followed his trade unlil 
1850, when he came to the farm now owned by 
our subject and bought two hundred acresof fiov- 
ermnent land at '^ I per acre. lie w.is the lirst 
white man Id chop a tree in North Holland. On 
this farm, which he cleared and improved, he 
lived to see all of his children and one grand- 
child married, and by his honorable conduct 
through life became possessed of many warm 
friends. He was public spirited an<l prt)gressive 
and was one of those who established the church at 
North Holland. His children, seven in number. 



424 



PORTRAIT AND UlOGIiAIHlCAL RECORD. 



were named as follows: John, Jacob, Otto, Albert, 
IJroer, Trynlje (who married John Ten Have) and 
Catherina, wife of Aaron Brawer. 

The scholastic training of our subject was re- 
ceived principally in the Old Country, and he re- 
mained with his father, assisting on the farm, until 
1855, when he married Miss Ilendrieka Weener, 
daughter of Kerst and Martha Weener. She was 
born in the Netherlands and came with her parents 
to the United States when eleven jears of age. 
To Mr. and Mrs. Van D3'k were born nine chil- 
dren, as follows: Gerrit, Kerst, Albert, Walter, 
Otto, Jr., Martha, Elizabeth, Anna and Kate, who 
all married and have children. In his political 
views Mr. ^'an Dyk is a Republican. He received 
fort}' acres from his father, and also forty acres 
from his wife's father. lie has given his land to 
his children and for the past year has lived a re- 
tired life. Wiien he first came to this county the 
woods were full of game and he killed forty deer 
and one bear in his neighborhood. 



-^1. 



""^ 



^HJH^ 







^^j/ DAM SHANKS, a prosperous general agri- 
(.@£JJI culturist and successful stock-raiser of 
Muskegon Township, Muskegon County, 
Mich., was born in Canada near the lake 
shore in 1839, and was the sixth child of the fam- 
il3' of seven sons and daughters born to Adam 
and Catherine (Christler) Shanks. The parents 
were natives of Pennsylvania and were reared, 
educated and married in the Quaker State, and 
soon after their marriage removed to Canada, 
where the father, a farmer by occupation, died 
when our subject was only four years old. The 
mother, surviving thirty-one years, continued lier 
residence in Canada and there reared all of her 
children to maturity. Lydia, the eldest-born, is 
now deceased; Betsey is the wife of .John \an 
Lawe, of Canada; Stephen yet makes his home in 
Canada; Christopher also resides in Canada; Sarah 
is the wife of John Butcher, of Canada; Adam, 
named in honor of his father, is our subject; and 



Barbara is the wife of George Winger. Adam 
Shanks, carefully reared by his devoted mother, 
grew up on the Canadian faini, receiving his edu- 
cation in the neighboring schools of the home dis- 
trict. 

.Attaining to manly and self-reliant youth, our 
subject began life for himself, working for wages 
away from home long before reaching his major- 
ity. Crossing over to the American side and lo- 
cating in Livingston County, Mich., in 1860, Mr. 
Shanks labored by the month on a farm for three 
years. Becoming in heart and soul a citizen of 
the United States, in March, 1865, answering to 
the call of the Government, he enlisted in Com- 
pany E, Fifteentli Michigan Infantry, and joined 
the Army of the Tennessee. It was not long be- 
fore the close of the war, and Mr. Shanks never 
had the opportunity of participating in a single 
battle, as he had onl}- just arrived in the State of 
North Carolina, on his way to the front, when 
Gen. Lee surrendered. He was mustered out of 
service at Little Rock, Ark., and received his 
final discharge from the army in Detroit, Mich. 
While in Little Rock, Mr. Shanks was seriously ill 
and has never entirely recovered from a violent 
attack which finally resulted in a permanent trou- 
ble of the eyes, from the effects of which he is now 
almost blind. AVhen the war ended, our subject 
settled in Wexford Count}-, where he liomcsteaded 
eighty acres, entering with energy into the culti- 
vation of the wild land. 

The health of Mr. Shanks, however not im- 
proving, he was obliged to make a change of resi- 
dence, and in 1874 he sold out and removed to his 
present property, consisting of sixty-three acres, 
twenty-five of which are under a fine state of cul- 
tivation. The productive farm is further im- 
proved with an attractive residence, commodious 
and substantial barns and other buildings. Since 
coming to Michigan ^Mr. Shanks has made his way 
upward and accumulated a comfortable compe- 
tence, being numbered among the substantial 
farmers of his vicinity. He has been twice mar- 
ried, first wedding in 1858 Miss Khoda Grant, a 
native of New Brunswick. The parent* of Mrs. 
Shanks were both born in the United States. Our 
subject and his worth}' wife were blessed by the 



ft 



ivtB^ 




\^# 





. / 




'MyiTTny 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



427 



birth of two children: Cliristophcr J., residin" in 
Livingston County, Mich.; and Cimrlolle, wife of 
Joim Sliaw. Mrs. Siianlis died in I8G3, mourned 
by lier family and many friends. In 1878 .Vdam 
Slianlvs and Mrs. Jlary A. (Ward) Hennelt, a na- 
tive of Kngland, were united in marriage, and in 
tlieir home conininnity enjoy tlie re.->peft and con- 
fidence of a wide ac<|uaintancc. 

Fraternally, our subject is connected with Twin 
Lake Post No. ;?I2, G. A. R. Politicully, he is a 
Republican and always votes that ticket. During 
his residence of over a score of j'ears in his pres- 
ent locality, Mr. .Shanks has identified himself with 
local enterprise and improvement and is in every 
sense of the woid a true American citizen. 



ANIEL M. CHAMPION. Now in tlic twi- 
light of life's brief day, surrounded by the 
luxuries his efforts have .secured, and minis- 
tered to by loving hands, the subject of tliis notice 
resides in Tallmadge Townsliip, Ottawa County, 
upon the farm wliich lias been his iioinc for almost 
a half-century. ^V'ilh advancing years, he has re- 
tired to some extent from active farming duties, 
although he r-till peisoiiall}- superintends the man- 
agement of his place. He possessed in youth the 
courage and enthusiasm so indispensable to a fron- 
tier life. These qualities gave iiim uiuiounded 
faith in success and carried him safely over trou- 
bles and dangers from which lie would otlicrwise 
have shrunk in terror. 

Born in Herkimer County, N. V., October 23, 
181(i, our subject is tiie son of David and Fannie 
(Whip|)les) Champion, natives of Connecticut. He 
was the only child of this marriage and was but 
two years of age when he was bereaved by his 
raotlier's death. For some time afterward lie re- 
mained with his father, who married for liis second 
wife Miss Sallie Duncan, and who is yet living 
(1893) at the ripe old age of ninety-five. Daniel 
21 



received a very limited education in the schools 
of Herkimer County, where his father conducted 
agricultural operations, and also engaged in the 
clothing business, Daniel assisting him in both un- 
til lie was twenty-two years old. 

At that time the elder Mr. Ciiampion sold out 
and invested his money in lands at Newville, 
Herkimer County, whither Daniel aceompanied 
him and remained for two years. During that time 
he was Captain of the militia and alsf) Captain of 
Gray's (Juards. Leaving Newville, he went to Or- 
leans County, N. Y., where he commenced to work 
on a farm for his uncle, remaining thus engaged 
for three years. Coining to Michigan in thesjjring 
of 184.1, he sojourned in Grand Rapids for one 
year, after which he located upon land that had 
been appropriated for salt works, but as they did 
not prove profitable the land was devoted to 
Normal School pur|)oses. Afterward the property 
was otfered for sale and purchased by our subject 
for $4 per acre. Here he has since resided, being 
at present the owner of more than one hundred 
and si.vty acres of improved land. 

August 12, 1838, Mr. Champion was married to 
Miss Lydia, the daughter ol Ezra and Diana (Pot- 
ter) Champion, of New York State. To this inar- 
ringe were bom four children. Fannie \V. became 
the wife of Benjamin (iirdler.and they reside on 
the old homestead willi Mr. Ciiampion. Ezra D. 
(lied while in the service <jf his country in the 
hospital at David's Island, N. Y. Daniel married 
Miss Helen Macumlier and lives in Ottawa County, 
Mich. Mary died ill infancy. The wife and mother, 
wlio for many years toiled lovingly and uiiwcar- 
iedly for the welfare of her dear ones, was called 
from her earthly home to "a home not made with 
hands" on the lath of .June, 188t», leaving in the 
famil\' circle a void that never can be tilled. 

While not as active in public affairs as in former 
years, Jlr. Champion chviishes a deep interest in 
the progress of the community, and as he believes 
that protection is best adapted to the welfare of the 
United .Stales, he alliliates with the Republicans, 
having been a member of that political organiza- 
tion ever since its iiieeplion. He has filled a num- 
ber of local positions, including the ollicesof Town- 
ship Commissioner and .lusticc of the Peace. 



428 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



^^ERRIT VANDENBELDT, an able general 



l[ agriculturist, and for many years Assessor 

^i^' of the school d 



^^J^' of the school district of Holland Township, 
Ottawa County, Mich., owns a fine farm desirably 
located on section 33, and is numbered among the 
substantial citizens of tliis locality. He was born 
in the province of Gelderland, in the Nether- 
lands, October 31, 1833, and was the son of Klaas 
and Jennie (Bove) Vanden Beldt, natives of the 
Netherlands, their forefathers liaving dwelt with- 
in the boundaries of the kingdom from time im- 
memorial. The grandfather, James Vanden Beldt, 
rented land and was by occupation a farmer. He 
reared three children, Klaas, the father of our sub- 
ject, and two daughters, neither of whom ever left 
their native land. Klaas Vanden Beldt remained 
with his parents until he attained manhood and 
received a good common-scliool education. He 
ambitiously became master of three trades, being 
a carpenter, mason and "decker," or straw-roofer. 
He was likewise a wood-worker, and could turn by 
hand, and in these various lines of labor accumu- 
lated a small capital, which he invested in twenty- 
acre farms, and finally gathered together sufficient 
money to enable him to emigrate with his wife 
and seven sons to America, to him the land of 
promise. 

It was in the month of November, 1846, that, 
embarking upon a sailing-vessel, the family bade 
adieu to their native land, and slowly making 
tlieir way across the broad Atlantic, were on the 
water forty-seven days. The boat, an American 
vessel, the "Platobustor," arrived safely at the 
port of New Orleans, from which city the family 
proceeded up the Mississippi River to St. Louis, 
where they remained until April, 1847. They 
then removed to Ottawa County, Mich., where, 
with only *5 left after helping a neighbor, the 
father bought forty acres at P2J)0 per acie on sec- 
tion 33, Holland Township, and here entered with 
zeal into the tilling of the soil. While erecting 
their log liouse, the family were for two weeks 
quartered with an Indian in the old Indian vil- 
lage. The new house when (inished was about 
12x20 feet, one room, and covered with elm bark. 
The first year they went twelve miles north and 
planted some potatoes and beans, and later the fa- 



ther and two neighbors journeyed by boat on the 
Kalamazoo River and bought provisions for the 
Dutch settlement. In the fall Klaas Vanden Beldt 
began cutting the trees upon his forty acres, and 
made shingles enough to pay for his land. In the 
succeeding j-ear, during the fall of 1848, the fa- 
ther died. A sincere Christian man, a member of 
the Reformed Church, he was also a kind friend 
and neighboi', a loving husband and father, and 
his death was mourned by all as a public loss. 

The seven sons weie in the order of their birth 
as follows: James, Derk, Gerrit, Fredcrikus, Gra- 
dus, Reinder and Henry. The sixth son died on 
the ocean voyage. The fifth son died of small- 
pox the second j'ear after he came to Michigan. 
The second and fourth sons died after having fam- 
ilies of their own. The mother, surviving the 
death of the father until 1862, again married, the 
second husband being Walter Niessan. Until this 
second marriage, Gerrit dutifully remained to aid 
his mother in the heavy burden of caring for the 
younger children, but as soon as the step-father 
came, our subject, then fourteen years of age, went 
to Allegan and worked on a farm one year. He 
later worked upon a farm in Cooper three years, 
and then located in Kalamazoo. For five years 
he received employment in a warehouse, and for 
a twelvemonth bought wheat upon the street. He 
next eng.aged upon his own account in the manu- 
facture of brick, and, continuing in the business 
for eight j'ears, was at the last quite successful. 
In the mean time Mr. Vanden Beldt had married 
Miss Susanna Marcelia, the daughter of Herbert 
and Margaret (DePurt) Marcelia. 

The union of our subject and his estimable wife 
was blessed by the birth of twelve children, eleven 
of whom are yet surviving, one dying young. 
They are in order of their birth: Nicholas, Mar- 
garet, Rika, Jennie, Lizzie, Herbert, Isaac, Fred, 
Mary, Gertie and Gradus. .Jamie is deceased. While 
in the brick business in Kalamazoo, Mr. \'anden- 
Beldt purchased forty acres where he now lives, 
and removing to the land began to manufacture 
i brick here upon his farm, and continued so to do 
for twelve years, but since has given his time and 
attention strictly to farming duties. Financially 
prospered, our subject owns sixty-five acres of 



I'OUTILUT AND ISlLXiKALnilCAL KECUllD. 



429 



finely cultivated Iimd, iin|)i-ove(l witli a liandsomc 
residence, good barns and oiUliuildings. Some 
fifteen years ago, Mv. \'anden Bcldt made a visit 
to liis native land, and being absent throe montlis 
miicii enjoyed tlie liip. Ills son Nicholas, a grad- 
uate of Hope College, having finished a course as 
chemist at Ann Arbor, is now hicated in Detroit as 
a druggist. A member of liie Christian Reformed 
Church, our subject is likewise a Deacon and a 
teacher in the Sunday-scliool. l\iliticaliy a He- 
publican, he has for many years elliciently dis- 
cliarged the duties of Assessor, and is known to 
all his fellow-townsmen as a man of sterling in- 
tegrity of character. 



-^^1 



Lh^.b 



|(_ ON. CHAKLKS H. LESLIK, ISIayor of North 
y Muskegon, and a prominent merchant of 
tiiis city, was born in Jolinslowu, N. Y., 
i)) August 3. 1840. lie is a son of .James Leslie, 
a native of New Hampshire and a private in the 
War of 1812, who served for three years in ihe de- 
fense of our country. After the close of the con- 
flict, he resumed his farming operations, which had 
been interrupted by the call to arms. The i)a- 
ternal grandfather of our subject, .lames Leslie, 
was born in .Scotland, and in his young manhood 
he emigrated to America. For seven and one- 
half years he served in the Colonial army during 
the Hevolutionary War, and was wounded at the 
battle of Lexington. 

The mother of our subject bore the maiden 
name of Kliza Vanancher, and was born and reared 
in New Y(n-k, being the daughter of .lohn and 
Abbie (White) N'ananchcr, natives respectively of 
(Jerniany and Paris, France. .Vfter their marriage 
tlie (larcnts of our subject located in New York, 
where the father died at the age of seventy-seven. 
The mother still survives, at the age of sevent^'- 
onc (18'.l.3), and makes her home in HIeecker, N. Y. 
They liad a famil}- of three daughters and five 
sons, and of the .seven children who grew to ma- 
turit}^ our subject is tlie eldest. At the early age 



of ten years he began to be .self-supporting, and, 
as may l)e surmised, his education lias been gained 
principally through self-culture and observation, 
his opportunities for sclnjoling having been ex- 
ceedingly liniited. For a time he engaged in 
lumbering, am! not only eaine(l his own living, 
but also aided his parents. 

At the commencemeiil of the Civil War, .Mr. 
Leslie enlisted as a member of Company C, Thirty- 
second New York Infantry, the date of his enlist- 
ment being April 17, 18GI. He enlisted as a priv- 
ate, later served .as Corporal and also Orderly-Ser- 
geant of the company, in which he remained for 
two years. In October, IHO.i, he enlisted as a vet- 
eran in the Fourth Heavy Artillery at New York, 
and was promoted to be Corporal and Orderly-Ser- 
geant of Company I), in which capacity he was serv- 
ing at the close of the war, ill l.s(i.'). He participated 
in thirty-two important engagements and was in 
the siege of Yorktown. the siege of Richmond, 
and numerous decisive battles. He was three times 
wounded: first at Gaines' Mill, where the bullet 
struck his face under the left ear and passed 
through his tongue; second, in front of the breast- 
works at Petersburg, where a bullet struck him in 
the forehead; and third, by a minie-ball at .South 
Side Railroad. 

Twice Mr. Leslie suffered imprisonment. He 
was taken prisoner after receiving his first wound, 
and was confined in Libby Prison and Belle Isle 
for two montlis. He w.as also taken prisoner while 
serving in the Fourth New York Heavy Artillery, 
but escaped and marched fifty rebel soldiers to 
camp and delivered them to the Fifth Corjis, un- 
der instructions from Oen. Warren. After par- 
ticipating in many of the most desperate battles 
of the war. he was lionoral)ly discharged at Hart's 
Island, and was mustered out of the service Oc- 
tober o, 18(55. Returning to New York, he re- 
sumed his business and again engaged extensively 
as a lumberman. In 18fJG. he came to Michigan 
and opened a meat-market at Lowell. Later he 
went to the pineries on Flat River, where he en- 
gaged in the lumber business during the summer 
and winter of 18(17. l''rom there he proceeded to 
Orand Haven anil thence, in 18(!7, to Lowell. 

In IHO^t, Mr. Leslie [lurchased eighty acres in 



430 



POUTRAIT AND BIO(jRA.PHICAL RECORD 



Lowell Township, Kent Country. Later he engaged 
in the sawmill business witli Armstrong, Gould 
& Co., at Muir, Ionia Count\', and had charge 
of a gang of forty sawmill hands until September, 
18G8, when he returned to Lowell. In the spring 
of 1869 he went back to Ionia County, and for a 
few months took charge of the same force. In 
187(1, he returned to his farm, and during the 
same year he married Miss Catherine Bartlett, a 
native of Canada. 

The young couple commenced housekeeping 
on the farm in Lowell Township, Kent County, 
where Mr. Leslie continued to till the soil until 
1877. While residing there he held the offices of 
Justice of the Peace, Highway Commissioner, 
Drainage Commissioner, School Director and Over- 
seer of Highways, and occupied all these ofticcs 
during the same year. He served as Justice of 
the Peace for four years, and as Highway Com- 
missioner for three years. Disposing of his farm 
in 1877, he removed to Dinwiddle County, Va., 
and purchased a farm south of Petersburg, Va. 
After remaining there ten months, he sent his 
family to Grand Rapids, Mich., and he went to 
Kansas, where he entered the employ of the Rev- 
olving Scraping Company, of Columbus, Ohio, as 
their agent for the States of Kansas, Missouri, Ne- 
braska, Iowa, Colorado and New Mexico, as well as 
the Indian Territory'. Witli a horse and wagon 
he traveled extensively throughout the country 
for two years. 

In 1880, Mr. Leslie returned to (irand Rapids, 
Mich., and thence proceeded to Indianapolis, Ind., 
where lie engaged with a book firm to canvass for 
them. He traveled in the western part of Michi- 
gan in their interests, but finding the work un- 
congenial, he soon bade good-bye to the business. 
Next we find him in Cliicago, and two weeks 
later in Muskegon, where he secured employment 
with the firm of Blodgett A Byrne. Soon after- 
ward he brought his family here. Two months 
were spent in Muskegon, after which he came to 
North Muskegon, in the spring of 1881. For four 
years he was engaged at his trade of carpenter. 
On the 26th of April, 1885, he was appointed 
Postmaster, and in connection with his postolfice 
also engaged in the tobacco business and later ad- 



ded a stock of drugs, and then a stock of hardware. 
He filled the position of Postmaster for five years 
and three months. 

In a number of other positions, Mr. Leslie has 
served with credit to himself and to the universal 
satisfaction of the people. He served as Township 
Clerk, School Inspector for one year, member of 
the School Board for six years, its Chairman for 
three years, member of the Common Council for 
four years, and Vice-President of the Board for 
two years. When the village was incorporated, in 
1891, he was elected Alderman of the First Ward, 
and served in that capacity for two years. He 
was then chosen City Treasurer and was the in- 
cumbent of the office for one year. In 1893 he 
was elected to the highest office within the gift of 
the people — that of Mayor, which he now holds. 
In addition to the oflflces above named he was De- 
put}' Sheriff for four 3'ears. 

Socially, Mr. Leslie is a member of the Masonic 
fraternity and is identified with Lodge No. 140, 
and Royal Arch Masons No. 47. He is also as- 
sociated with the Independent Order of Odd Fel- 
lows No. 69, in which he has served as Past Noble 
Grand and Grand Master. He Is a member of 
the Knights of the Maccabees No. 29, and the 
Grand Army of the Republic No. 280, in which he 
is Past Commander. He is also Past Commander 
of the Knights of Labor, No. 2207, at North Mus- 
kegon. He and his estimable wife are the parents 
of three children: Edward C, a resident of Chi- 
cago; Bertha, wife of Charles Bon, of Grand 
Haven; and George. They also have two grand- 
sons, Lewis and George, of whom they are justly 
proud. 



^S^HARLES E. BRIGGS, the energetic and 
lli successful District Manager for the Mutual 

^iiJy Life Insurance Cc 



'onipany of New York, and 
also the popular and efficient Ma3-or of Whitehall, 
Muskegon Count}-, Mich., numbers his friends by 
the score and has long been identified with the 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



431 



progressive interests of his locality. (Jur subject, 
a native of Niagara County, N. Y., was born 
near Kast Wilson. Marcii 27, 1858, and was the son 
of George A. and Helen M. (Raker) Hriggs, highly 
esteemed residents of the Kinpire State. The 
paternal grandfather, Andrew Hriggs, a brave sol- 
dier of the War of 1812, left to his descendants 
numerous valuable legacies, among them being a 
powder-horn carried by him during the troublous 
days of the early part of the present century', 
(irandfather Hriggs was a prominent dair}' farmer, 
his extensive homestead being located in lilack 
River County, N.Y. He was killed by an accident 
when George, the father of our subject, born in 
Booneville in 1826, was a small bo}'. 

The history of the Briggs famll3' in AnuM'ica is 
intimately associated with the growth and progress 
of the United States, four brothers having sailed 
from England to America more than two centuries 
ago. They landed in Rhode Island, and while one 
remained in that State, the others scattered to 
various parts of the Union. One went to Ohio, 
another to Pennsylvania, and the direct ancestor 
of our subject settled in the Kmpire State. To-day 
numerous branches of the old family are found in 
everj' State of our Republic, many of the men and 
women filling jjositions of high trust and impor- 
tance. 

The father of our subject was an onl}- son, and, 
a little lad at tlic death of his father, went to live 
with an uncle, Nathan Briggs, a wealthy dairyman 
of Black River County. While with his uncle, 
George A. received excellent advantages for 
schooling, and when old enougli learned the car- 
penter's trade, but finally entered largely into 
farming and became a leading general agriculturist 
of his native State. George A. Hriggs was a man 
of broad views and sound judgment, and, liberal 
in sentiment and kindly by nature, never had an 
encm\', but rejoiced In a iiost of friends. Al- 
though a strong Democrat and patriotic citizen, he 
was unwiUIng, altliough urged to do so. to accept 
any political |)erfernient. In all public matters 
as well as private affairs he was sincere, iipilght 
and practical, and was numbered among the 
substantial men, ever ready to respond to tiie de- 
mands of duty. This good man and true Ameri- 



can citizen passed away mourned by all who knew 
him July 10, 188'.», and in Niagara County, where 
the greater part of his life was passed, his death 
was accounted a public loss. 

Helen M. Haker. the mother of our suliject, was 
bom in Niagara County, N. Y., in 1837, and was 
the daughter of John Baker, a prosperous contrac- 
tor and builder of that county. While yet 
comparativel3' a young man, Mr. Haker was killed 
by the kick of an ox. Mrs. Briggs had two own 
brothers and one sister, also a half-brother, her 
mother having married twice. An uncle of our 
subject, Charles S. Baker, enlisted as a private in 
tlic Civil War, serving with courage four years, a 
twelvemonth of which time was spent In LIbby 
Prison. Discharged from the army with the com- 
mission of a First Uieutenaiit, he survived until 
1880, then dying in New York State. John Baker 
is a well-known farmer of Niagara County, N. Y. 
Elizabeth E. Haker married Daniel E. Chaddock, 
and with her husband came to Michigan, where she 
passed away In 18C8. The half-brother, Frank M., 
who also bore the name of Baker, is a successful 
contractor and bridge-builder living at Rosedale, 
Kan. The mother of Mr. Briggs is now residing 
in Lima, N. Y., where she went to educate the 
I younger children. There were six in the family, 
Charles E. being the eldest son. Florence A., the 
eldest of the sisters, was educated at Lockport (N. 
Y'.) Academy, and was for many years a superior 
teacher; she now resides with her mother. John 
E., also educated at Lockport Academy, is a civil 
engineerat Cameron, Mo.; Frank died when a child: 
Victoria G., a graduate of the Genesee Weslevan 
Seminary, is a successful teacher In the public 
schools of Whitehall, where she has been engaged 
for the past two years; Helen C, also educated at 
, the Wesleyan Seminary, married Bert C. Stockwell, 
a prominent attorney of Lockport, N. Y., and 
the son of a noted local politician of the Empire 
State. 

Our subject passed the days of early boyhood in 
East Wilson, and had completed Ills studies in 
Lockport Academy at the age of nineteen. Imme- 
diately after he acquired in Lockport a knowledge 
of telegraphy. In 1878, an ambitious young 
man of twenty, Mr. Briggs journeyed to Michigan 



432 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRArHICAL RECORD. 



and spent one year in the employ of tlie West 
Michigan Railroad Company as operator at Hart- 
ford, lie next went to Sioux City, Iowa, as 
a civil engineer in the service of the Chicago & 
Northwestern Railroad, and after the first six 
months had charge of a division of the road tlien 
under construction. For five continuous years 
our subject was in cliarge of vaiious divisions of 
that system of railroad, and then bettered himself 
by accepting a position in Chicago as Assistant 
Division Engineer of the Nickel I'latc Railroad. 
At the close of a twelvemonth he became the 
principal Assistant Engineer on the Hannibal it St. 
Joseph, Kansas City & St. .Joseph, Council Bluffs 
(Si St. Joseph and Des Moines Railroads. 

At the end of three years, our subject, lo- 
cated in Cincinnati, Ohio, received the position of 
Principal Assistant Civil Engineer of the Ohio i; 
Mississippi Railroad, but later, on account of his 
wife's failing health, resigned that position and in 
1888 settled in Michigan, his headquarters being 
Whitehall, where lie accepted the management of 
western Michigan for the New York Mutual Life 
Insurance Comf)any, and in all his business enter- 
prises has made a success, building up a large and 
rapidly increasing patronage for the well-known 
and reliable companj' wliicli he so abl^' represents. 
A life-long Democrat, Mr. Briggs since bis resi- 
dence in Whitehall has taken an active part in 
local politics, and was the first Democrat ever 
elected to the honored position of President of tlie 
Village Council. Fraternally, our subject is a 
valued member of the Ancient Free & Accepted 
Masons, connected with the Blue Lodge and 
chapter. Upon December 30, 1883, Charles E. 
Briggs and Miss Octavia L. Andrews, of Hartford, 
Mich., weie united in marriage. Mrs. Briggs is a 
daughter of Samuel Andrews, a prominent lumber- 
man of Hartford. An uncle. Dr. .Josiah Andrews, 
of Paw Paw, was widely known as one of the most 
eminent surgeons of the State of Michigan. A 
brother of Mrs. Briggs, Capt. John II. Andrews, 
a brave soldier of the late Civil War, was 
killed at the battle of Dallas, Ga., on the march 
with Sherman from Atlanta to the sea. Another 
brother, Charles Andrews, became a prosperous 
farmer. Nancy T. Andrews, the only sister of 



Mrs. Briggs, is the wife of W. A. Phelps, of Grand 
Rapids, a wealthy lumberman arid also the largest 
tan bark dealer in Michigan. The pleasant home 
of Mr. and Mrs. Briggs has been blessed by the 
birth of three children. Samuel G., a blight little 
lad, is now eight years of age; Ethel L. died when 
one year old; Ralpli E. is four years of age. The 
beautiful family residence, one of the finest in 
Whitehall, is the abode of hospitality, and the 
scene of many social gatherings, our subject and 
his estimable wife being held in high e-teem by a 
wide circle of friends and acquaintances. 



V 

/ — 









OHN MASTERSON. Although a resident 
of Ottawa County for less than a decade of 
3'ears, Mr. Masterson has a wide circle of 
acquaintances and business associates,whose 
regard he has won by his genial courtesy, upright 
life and the uniform reliabilitj- of his transactions. 
He engages in agricultural pursuits upon his pleas- 
antly situated and highl.y cultivated farm in Tall- 
madge Township, consisting of one hundred acres 
of arable land. As a farmer he is energetic, indus- 
trious and cfticient, and uses good judgment in the 
cultivation of his land. 

A native of Illinois, our subject was born in 
Lake County August 7, 1841. His father, Thomas 
Masterson, was born in Ireland in 1810, and in 
1828 came to America, settling in Illinois and fol- 
lowing farming operations in Shields Township, 
Lake County-, until liis demise. On first coining 
to America, however, he did not engage in agri- 
cultural pursuits, but conducted an extensive bus- 
iness in the digging of ditches, etc. It was he who 
contracted to clean the brush from the Chicago 
River, an arduous undertaking, .as may well be 
surmised. His wife, whose maiden name was 
Bridget Malloy, was, like himself, of Irish birth 
and parentage. 

The eldest child in his father's family, the sub- 
ject of this biographical sketch was the recipient 
of such educational opportunities as were afforded 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECOKB. 



433 



=»^ 



■ £o:- ■' ■ •••§ 



yB. CONLKV, a tlioiouglil}- practical and 
enterprising druggist, located at Wliite- 
^^f^ hall, Muskegon County, Mich., is an ex- 
pert pharmaceutist and a man of excellent busi- 
ness ability. A native of lliis State, Mr. Conley 
was born in Ionia. Ionia County, November 27, 
185.5, and was the eldest of the family of six chil- 
dren, three sons and three daughters, wlio blessed 
the home of his parents, Uol)ert and .Susan (Dil- 
lon) Conley. The father and mother, both na- 
tives of Ireland, were only children wiien with 
their families they ciossed the broad Atlantic to 
America. They settled upon Canadian soil, and, 
marrying in the oarl3' part of 1854, made their 
permanent home in Ionia County, Mich., wliere 
the father, a carpenter l)y trade, found immediate 
eni|)loyment. Combining with the occupation of 
a builder the tilling of the soil, Robert Conley en- 
gaged also in general agriculture, and, yet surviv- 



by the public schools of Lake County, III. lie 
worked at home on the farm until he reached the 
age of seventeen, when he went to Lake Korest and 
there secured employment, remaining until 1884. 
At that time he came to Michigan and purchased 
the tract of land in Tallmadge Township, Oltjiwa 
County, which has ever since been his home. lie 
is a man of prominence in this community and an 
active worker in the Democratic part)-. In relig- 
ious matters, he is a Roman Catholic. 

The lady who in .lune, 1866, became the wife 
of our subject was formerly Miss JIary Dclaney, 
and at the time of her marriage was living in Ot- 
tawa County. To this union have been born six 
children, namely: Tiiomasand Annie (twins), Mary, 
.lohn. Daniel and Lawrence, all of whom reside 
with their parents with the exception of the eldest 
son, who is a conductor on the Detroit & Milwau- 
kee Railroad. The faniilj-, socuilly, is one of the 
best-known and most influential in the count\-,and 
both Mr. and ]Mrs. M.isterson have the regard of 
their many friends. 



ing, lives a quiet and retired life in Whitehall, re- 
spected by all who know him. His second son, 
John U., married Miss Mary IJaker, of Montague, 
and has one child. lie and his wife and family are 
now residing in Kansas City, wliere he is prosper- 
ously engaged in the drug business, (ieorge mar- 
ried a lady of Painesville, Oiiio, and is a resident 
of that city. Marie Antoinette is the wife of K. 
II. Ilarwood, a retired business man of Whitehall; 
Abby is living with her parents in Whitehall; and 
^Laggie died when only eight years of age. 

Until eighteen years old our subject p.assed the 
most of his time upon his father's farm. He at- 
tended thcschool of his home neighhf)rhood and re- 
ceived a common-school education, which he has 
since supplemented by observation and reading. 
For the fourteen succeeding years Mr. Conley 
worked in the lumber camps mainly, seven years 
of the time being foreman on the river. AVhcn 
about thirty-one or thirty-two years old, he en- 
gaged in business at Whitehall as a builder and 
contractor, also extending his trade to Muskegon, 
where he erected numerous houses. In the fall of 
1888, having amassed a snug capital, our subject 
went into his present Uisiness and carries one of 
the most complete lines of drugs and sundries han- 
dled b}' any similar store in this locality. Since 
1888 our subject has given his entire tune to the 
det^ails of the drug business, and his line large store 
has earned tlie reputation of being one of the best- 
managed in Muskegon County. 

A first-class business man in every respect, Mr. 
Conley also possesses musical talent of a high order 
and is leader of tlie Whitehall band, which he as- 
sisted in organizing. .Jul) 3, 1881, W. H. Conley 
and Miss Grace Phelps, of Whitehall, were united 
in marriage, receiving the best wishes and hearty 
congratulations of a host of friends. Mrs. Conley 
is the step-daughter of Col. T. S. Watson, and is 
widely known and highly esteemed by a large cir- 
cle of actjuaintances. Two bright little daughters, 
Bessie, ten years old in April, 189.'?, and Lulu 
aged eight, July 13, 18'.)3, are the pride of their 
beautiful home. Politically, Mr. Conley is a Dem- 
ocrat, but has never .aspired to otlice. P'raternally, 
he is associated with the Independent Order of 
Odd Fellows, has passed the chairs of the order, 



434 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAX, RECORD. 



and has been a icpiescntative to the Grand Lodge. 
Beginning life without capital or influence, our 
subject lias won his upward way to a position of 
useful influence and is numbered among the sub- 
stantial citizens of JIuskegon County. 



;DWARD WATSON. The philosophy of 
success in life is an interesting study, and 
ii affords a lesson from which many can profit. 
]n choosing a pursuit in life, taste, mental gifts, 
opportunity and disposition to labor should be 
considered, as an\- young man who has a disposi- 
tion to become a respectable and useful citizen 
desires to succeed in his work. On the 3d of July, 
1857, a boy was born in Medina Count}', Ohio, 
who grew up to sturd}' manhood, ambitious to 
excel and possessing much energy and determina- 
tion, attributes which are essential to success in 
any calling. This boy was Edward Wats^on, his 
parents being Edward G. and Rebecca (Register) 
Watson. (See sketch of Thomas W. Watson). 

Edward Watson received a good practical edu- 
cation in the common schools of Ohio, and for 
some time attended a select school under one of 
the graduates of Oberlin College. When sixteen 
vears of age he branched out as a farm hand, hav- 
ing learned the details of farm life of his worthy 
father, and continued this for seven months, re- 
ceiving as compensation ^14 per month. Ijuring 
that time he lost but one day from the field. In 
the year 1873 he decided to settle in Michigan, 
and for six months after doing so he worked b}' 
the month, saving his wages and economizing in 
order to Itecome the owner of land in tlie future. 
He first purchased twenty acres of land, covered 
with a heavy growth of timber, and this, after 
slightly improving, he sold to his father. 

Four years after this-young Watson worked in 
a lumber-mill, and in 1878 purchased forty acres 
adjoining his i)iisent pro|)erty. Since that time 
he has added to the original tract seventy-two 



acres, making one hundred and twelve acres, and 
he has one hundred acres under cultivation. lie has 
a fine residence, commodious and substantial out- 
buildings, barns, etc., and his place shows the care 
and energy of its thrifty owner. In connection 
with carrying on his extensive farming interests, 
Mr. Watson is also engaged in stock-raising, breed- 
ing a high grade of Durham cattle and Norman and 
Suffolk horses, the latter a new breed of horses 
brought over from England. Everything about 
his fine place shows that he is one of the pros- 
perous and progressive farmers of the county, 
and as a citizen and neighbor no man is more 
highl\' esteemed. 

On the 23d of October, 1878, he was married 
to Miss Lilla M. Comstock, a native of Grand Ha- 
ven, and daughter of AVilliam and Emily (Hil- 
dreth) Comstock, natives respectively of Massa- 
chusetts and Vermont. She was the youngest of 
four children, as follows: Carrie, now Mrs. Heniy 
Jones, of Grand Rapids; Alice, of this county; and 
Wallace, also of this county-. Mr. and Mrs. Corn- 
stock reside at Allendale, this county, where they 
have a pleasant home. Three children have been 
the fruits of our subject's union: Ralph, Fred 
and Arthur. At present Mr. Watson is an active 
member of the township Grange. He has never 
filled any political position, although he has held 
a number of minor offices in his township, for all 
his time is devoted to the management of his ex- 
tensive farm and stock industry. In politics, he 
affiliates with the Democratic party. 



, ..^re i' 



i>^^<i 



'|^_^ ENRY VINCENT, an extensive and thor- 
^ oughly practical horticulturist and manu- 
facturer of wine, residing ui)on a highly 
I) productive farm near (irand Haven, Ottawa 
County, is a native of the Netherlands, and was 
born in Wyk-bei-Duurstede on the 17th of Janu- 
ary, 1850. The father, John V^incent, was born in 
Germany, but spent most of his life in the Nether- 
lands and never came to America. He was a fine 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RKCORD. 



435 



music-i:in and a man of learning and accomplish- 1 
ments. Our subject was llie second of the eleven 
cliildren who clustered in the home, of "jioni 
nine vet survive. The living are in the order of 
their hirth: Anton. Henry, Mary, Louise, .len- 
nette, Peter, Calo, I'aulitie and Tonia. At the 
age of eighteen years. Henry, an ambitious and eu- 
teri)rising youth, emigrated to America, and at once 
located in Zecland, Mich. Our subject, liberality 
educated in the schools of the Fatherland, and 
self-reliant, was well fitted to make his way in life. 
After remaining about six months in Zecland, Mr. 
Vincent removed to Holland, Mich., and resided 
there four and a-half years, following his trade of I 
printer. At the expiration of this time, animated 
b_v a strong desire to revisit his native land, lie 
returned, in 1873, to the Netherlands. 

Our subject passed the next two years and a-half 
in travel, linally spending a Iwclvemouth in Lon- 
don, England, and from that city departing for 
Grand Ha])ids, Mich., where he resided the suc- 
ceeding live 3'ears, devoting his attention to 
printing. From (irand Ra])ids, Mr. A'incent re- 
moved to his [iresent home in Ottawa County, 
^licli.. having inherited from the estate of ])r. 
John .Maslenbroek the farm on which he now re- 
sides. l'i)on the seventy acres are raised all kinds 
of small fruits, as well as api)les, peaches, pears 
ami graj'Cs. The wine made by Mr. Vincent is a 
tine product and has an extended sale, its e.xcel- 
lent tlavor and its |)urity making it especially de- 
sirable for medical as well as table uses. In 1880, 
Henry Vincent and Miss .lennette Mastenbroek 
were united in marriage. The accomplished wife 
of our subject, born in Michigan in 1860, was the 
daughter of Dr. John Mastenl)roek, a native of 
the Netherlands but a long-tinie resident of Mus- 
kegon, Mich. Mrs. Vincent is the eldest of the 
three daughters who brightened the home of her 
parents. 

Six children blessed the union of Mr. and 
Mrs. Vincent, but three only nf)w survive: John, 
Willie and AL'iry. Mrs. Vincent is a valued mem- 
ber of the Congregational Church at Crand 
Haven, and, a lady of high character and line at- 
tainments, occupies a position of useful inlluence, 
and socially commands the sincere esteem of a 



large circle of friends. Ever since his permanent 
residence in his present locality, our subject has 
been prominently associated with the advance- 
ment of the best interests of his neighborhood 
and vicinity. Politically an Independent, he 
voles, irrespective of party, for the best man, and 
at the last Presidential election cast his vote for 
Cleveland. He is now and has been for two years 
School Director, and, an ardent friend to educa- 
tional progress, has materially assisted in the up- 
ward growth of educational facilities. Elected 
Justice of the Pe.ace, Mr. Vincent did not ciualify 
for the otiice, and has, in fact, no aspirations for 
public position or political honors, but, a true 
American citizen, takes a deep interest in both local 
and national affairs, and is ever ready to do his 
full share in all matters of public welfare. 



j++++i 
"+*++'« 







IRK MIEDEMA, an energetic general ag- 
riculturist and a brave veteran of the lale 
Civil War, is a native of the Netherlands, 
and was born in \'riesland in the year 
His parents, John and .Kane (Wiersma) 
Miedema, born, reare<l and educated in the Nether- 
lands, after their marriage kept an hotel in a vil- 
lage of their native land, in which employment 
the father continued until his death, at thirtv- 
eight years of age. The father was a son of 
Henry and Jante (Koopman) Miedema. 'I'lie pa- 
ternal grandfather, l)ei>iiiuing life as a poor man, 
through su[)erior business ability and keen intelli- 
gence won his upward w;iy to prosperity and 
wealth. He was a m.anufacturor of different vari- 
eties of extracts, and lived in a nourishing village, 
owning a farm of sixty acres adj.icent to the 
place. At his death he left io his family a for- 
tune of * 10,000. The father received a good ed- 
ucation and began life for himself at the age of 
twent.\-lwo, when he married. .\t his death he 
left to the care (if his widow three children: Henr\', 
deceased; I )iil<. our subject; and B.iarnd,yet living 
in the Netherlands. .lolin Miedema was a devout 



436 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



member of the Reformed Cliurcli and a sincere 
Cliristian man. Our subject was about twelve years 
of age at tlie time of the demise of his father, and 
dutifully worked for his mother in the hotel until 
he reached manhood. 

Having arrived at his majority, iMr. IMiedema 
hired out eight years to farmers, his mother mean- 
time having married Dirk Terpstra. While work- 
ing out by the mouth our subject was united in 
marriage with Miss Catherine Riemasma, daughter 
of Herrit and Anna Riemasma. The one child 
of the union born in the Old Countiy is Jane, 
married to Rinke De Vries. After emigrating to 
America in 1852, six children were born, four of 
whom died young. The two surviving are: Anna, 
wife of .Jacob Dagger; and Magie, wife of .John 
Ter Beck. Our subject received some money from 
his grandfather's estate and with his bequest paid 
for the passage of himself and family across the 
sea to the land of promise, America. When Mr. 
Miedema, with liis wife and child, reached Kala- 
mazoo his capital consisted of $6 in money, sup- 
plemented by a large stock of hope and self-reli- 
ance. Very soon receiving employment, he worked 
by tlie day for one year, and then came to Hol- 
land, Ottawa County, where he has since contin- 
ued to reside. Through hard work and prudent 
effort our subject was in a comparatively brief 
time enabled to purchase thirty acres of ground 
where he now lives, and to whose extent he has 
thrifiily added until he possesses seventy valuable 
acres, once heavily timbered but brought by Mr. 
Miedema up to a highly profitable state of culti- 
vation and improved with excellent buildings. 

In 1861 our subject enlisted in Company D 
Second Michigan Cavalry, and was in the Army of 
the Cumberland. lingaging in many decisive bat- 
tles of the long campaign, Mr. Miedema fought 
with courage at Shiloli, Pcrryville, Boonville, Cor- 
inth, Franklin, Murfrcesboro and Brandwood. 
During the latter battle our subject was severely 
wounded in the head, on the left side, by a minie- 
ball. Falling from his horse his foot cauglit in 
the stirrup and he was dragged some twenty rods. 
After remaining at the camp hospital aliout two 
months, he went to the hospital in Nashville 
a few davs and vvas later taken to the convales- 



cent camp, where he received his discharge in July, 
1863. Mr. Miedema is an honored member of A. 
C. Van Raalte Post No. 262, G. A. R. He is in 
religious affiliation a member of the Seceder 
Church of Holland. Interested in all matters of mu- 
tual welfare and ever ready to assist in the public 
work of his home locality, our subject is highly re- 
spected and possesses the regard of many friends. 



♦^s^-^s* 



"A 



■^1? AMES H. WHEELER. To the memory of 
our loved dead we erect costly' statues and 
loft}' monuments; we chisel beautiful epi- 
taphs upon their marble tombs; we sing 
in verse of their virtues, or in stately prose nar- 
rate their valorous deeds. But far more enduring 
than chiseled monument or gently-flowing rhyme, 
is the memory of a loft}', noble life, spent in do- 
ing good to others. Such was the life of James 
H. Wheeler, who, dying, left to his children the 
heritage of an untarnished name and a spotless 
life. Now "after life's litfui fever, he sleeps well." 
Though he reached the age of more than three- 
score and ten years, yet in his demise those who 
survive him are reminded that 

"The battle of our life is brief; 

The alarm, the struggle, the relief, — 
Then sleep we side by side." 

Born in New York State, July 27, 1820, our sub- 
ject was the son of Moses and Luc}- Wheeler, both 
of whom died when James was small. He had the 
advantages of the schools of his section of New 
York, and worked for a time on a farm belonging 
to Jlr. Little, the gentleman with whom he lived 
after the death of his parents. At the age of 
twenty-two, he removed from New York to Mich- 
igan and taught three terms of school in the city 
of Jackson. Then, returning to New York, he 
sojourned in that State for a year, after which he 
came to Ottawa County, Mich. Purchasing prop- 
erty here, he at once commenced the work of clear- 
ing the land and cultivating the soil. As the vears 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPIUCAL RECORD 



137 



piissed l\v, he gained a larse measure of success, 
and was recognized as one of llie most progressive 
agriculturists of Tallinadge Townsliip. At the 
time of his deatli, Marcli 12. 1891, he had more 
than one hundred and sixty acres of choice land 
under cultivati(ui. 

The lad^- who became the wife of Mr. Wheeler 
in October. 184.'(, and wluo still survives to mourn 
his loss, l)ore the maiden name of Klizabetli L. 
McKee. Her parents, James and Lucinda (Decker) 
McKee, were natives of New York State, who re- 
moved to Michigan when Klizabeth w.ns a girl of 
eight, and settled in Jackson, where Mr. JIcKec is 
still living (1893) at the advanced age of ninety 
3^ears. Mrs. McKee died a few j-ears ago, aged 
eightj-'three. Mr. and Mrs. Wheeler were the par- 
ents of three children, two of whom are living. 
Mortimer L. married Miss Maggie Con, and resides 
in Michigan: Aurella L. became the wife of James 
Cary and lives witii her mother. 

Wliile Jlr. Wheeler never became i)rominent in 
politics, he was firm in his allegiance to the Repub- 
lican party, the principles of which he suppfirted 
from the time of its organization until the date of 
his death. During the late war his ^vMipntliies 
were on the side of the Inion, and he enlisted in 
the army in 1803, serving valiantly until the close 
of the cdiillkt. when he was lionoiably discharged. 
He was .luslicc of the Peace for a number of years, 
and also occupied other positions of prominence. 



6' 



=S^ 



fH-^i 



|()11N I.Air.ACll.a progressive citizen of 
Havenna and the owner of valuable iirdji- 
crly in Muskegon County, was born in 
Ohio in ( )(tober, 1851, and is of Pennsyl- 
vania-Oernian descent. His paternal grandfather, 
Oeorge L. Laubach. was a resident of the Keyslone 
State. He died in 18H2,at the age of ninety-seven, 
in ISelmont, .Mich. The father of our subject, 
Benjamin L., was liorn in rennsylvania in 1825 
and remained with his parents until he was nine- 
teen, when he came West as far as Ohio. Prior to 



leaving the Keystone State, he had gained a prac- 
tical education in the common schools, and after 
locating in Ohio he taught three terms of school 
during winter seasons, spending his summers on 
his father's farm. 

At the age of twenty-one, Henjaiiiin L. Lau- 
bach married Miss Mary, daughter of John and 
Sarah Sherriek. This estimable lady died when 
her son, our subject, was only nine days old, and 
the father afterward married Miss Klizabeth Col- 
man, their union taking place in 1852. Subse- 
quently he removed to Michigan and settled in 
Wright Township, Ottawa Count}', where he com- 
menced the arduous t.ask of clearing and cultivat- 
ing a farm. Seven years after coming to .Alichi- 
gan he w.as bereaved by the death of his wife. and 
two years after her demise he was united in mar- 
riage with Miss Harriet IJrown, who died tliiee 
j'ears afterward. In 187(1 he married Mrs. Mary 
Gee, who is still living. The father make^ his 
home in I'iainlield Township, Kent County, Mich., 
where he located two years ago upon selling his 
valuable farm of four hundred acres. lie is now 
( 189.3) sixty-seven years old and as active as many 
men twentj' years his junior. A stanch Hepubli- 
can 111 polities, he served for eleven years as Su- 
pervisor in Ottawa County, and also represented 
his district in the Legislature for two terms. 

Of Benjamin L. Lanbach's lirst marriage two 
children were born, the elder being George, who 
was graduated from Albion College, at Albion, 
Mich., and is now teaching music in Coopersville 
and the suirf)uiidiiig country. The younger son, 
the subject of this >ketcli, obtained his education 
in the public scIk)o1s of Ottawa County, where he 
resided until he was twenty-live. From there he 
removed to Ravenna, Muskegon County, and, i)ur- 
ch.asing land, engaged in farming until 1892, 
when he rented his property and removed to the 
villiige of RaveniiM. In his social relations he is 
idcntitied with Berlin Lodge No. 218, A. F. A- A. 
M.; Ravenna Lodge. Xo. 355, 1. O. (). F.; Ravenna 
Grange, ami liilukah Lodge. I. O. O. F., his wife 
being also a meinlier of the last-named organiza- 
tion. 

June 29, 1873, i\lr. Laiibacli married Llla, 
daughter of (ieorge and I'lliza (Streeter) Hodges, 



438 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



and tliey became llie parents of one daughter, 
May, who married George Patterson and resides 
in Conklin, Mich. In December, 1888, Mrs. Ella 
Laiibacli departed this life, and in August, 1890, 
our subject was united in marriage witli Mrs. Mary 
(Akermanj Hunter. One daughter, Eva Ella, has 
blessed this union. Jlrs. Laubach is identiflcd 
with the Presbyterian Church and is a lady whose 
position in social circles is one of prominence. 
Politically, Mr. Laubach has ijlwaj-s been a Repub- 
lican. For several years he served as Justice of 
the Peace, for two terms has officiated as Township 
Treasurer and is tlie present Supervisor of Ravenna 
Township. 



♦^1 



B' 



V 



' OHN C. ROBART. Ohio has given to Mich- 
igan many estimable citizens, but she has 
ti contributed none more universally resjiected 
t ' and esteemed than the pioneer whose name 
heads this sketcii. It is always a pleasure to deal 
witii the history of one who is a member of one 
of those grand old families who have for genera- 
tions been distinguished for patriotism, the genu- 
ine spirit of Christianit}' and the strong character- 
istics ttiat have made them men of mark. .John 
C. Robart is a product of Ohio, born in Portage 
County December 29, 1836, and the tenth of 
twelve children born to the union of James and 
Annie (Croy) Rohart, of English and Danish ex- 
traction, respectively. 

James Robart was born in New Jersey, where his 
ancestors settled in 1649. They were among the old- 
est English families in that State, and all the mem- 
bers of this family sided with the Colonists, and 
fought bravelj- for independence. James Robart 
moved to Ohio with his mother and stepfather when 
a boy, and settled in the Western Reserve, which 
has contributed so much of poimlation and intel- 
ligence to other States. There he finished his 
growth, married and resided until after the birth 
of our subject, when he and his family moved to 
Tuscarawas County, but only resided there for a 



few years. From there they moved to what is 
now Fulton County, Ohio, and in 1844 came to 
Michigan, which was then a wilderness. At that 
time the city of Coldwater boasted of three 
stores and a hotel. Mr. Robart purchased a small 
amount of land from the Government, and while 
clearing up this farm was accidentally killed by 
a falling tree, in 1848. In 1858 his widow mar- 
ried Allen Ilebner, and died in 1860. 

The children born to the above-mentioned cou- 
ple were as follows: Pha'be (deceased), who was the 
wife of C. Harrison; Amelia (deceased), who was 
the wife of Peter Gee; Hiram (deceased); Minerva 
(deceased), who was the wife of Nathan Jones; An- 
nie, wife of Leander Whitten; Sybil, wife of An- 
drew S. Hopkins; James; Rachel, wife of Levi Wal- 
dron; Mahala, wife of Martin Crego; John C; Cath- 
erine, wife of Derrick Sutfin; and Frank, who died 
in the army. The original of this sketch, John C. 
Robart, was educated in the common schools of 
Michigan, and remained with his mother and sis- 
ters until 18,59, when he decided to locate in Iowa. 
For eight years he w.as a resident of that State, 
engaged in farming and freighting aci'oss the 
plains, and during that time he had man}' exciting 
adventures with the Indians, principally Sioux and 
Cheyennes. It was nothing very uncommon for 
him to find men scalped and with stakes driven 
through their bodies. 

In 1861 Mr. Robart left the trail and engaged 
in tilling the soil in Monroe County, Iowa, con- 
tinuing the same until 1864, wlien he moved to 
Lucas County. There he remained until 1866, 
when he went on the railroad which is now the 
Chicago, Burlington & Quincy as foreman for J. 
E. Longford <fe Co., following this until May, 1868, 
when he went to Kansas City, Mo. AVhile in the 
latter place he engaged in grading and contract- 
ing, which he continued until 1870, and then went 
to Vernon County, Mo., where he farmed for one 
year. In 1872 he went to Crawford County, Kan., 
and was engaged in coal-mining at that pl.ace for 
three years. From there he came to Ottawa 
County, Mich., resumed his old occupation of 
farming, and in 1876 settled on his present prop- 
erty. That section was a perfect wilderness — no 
roads, no schools, no im])rovements of any kind — 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



4 3 It 



and liere Mr. Robart settled on eightj' acres. He 
now lias fifty-five acres under cultivation, and in 
connection witli tillin<j tiie soil is engaged in rais- 
ing a fine grade of horses. 

Miss .Susie Thrall, who became his wife on the 
1st of February, 18(!:5, was a native of Delaware 
County, Ohio, and the daughter of George and 
Annie (Baker) Thrall, of Russell. Iowa. Three 
children were given to Mr. and Mrs. Robart: 
Charles C, deceased; Mary E., wife of Arthur 
Diinkwater, of Holland, Mich.; and Carl J. In 
1880 Mr. Robart was elected Highway Commis- 
sioner, and was also Census Enumerator, School 
Inspector in 1883, and Justice of the Peace in 
1882. The last-named office he has held for ten 
years. In 18111 and 1892 he was re-elected High- 
way Commissioner, and for sixteen 3'ears has been 
School Director in his district. In his political 
principles, he is an ardent Republican, and takes 
a deep interest in the success of his party, and 
served for six j-eais on the Republican County 
Committee. 




P. HORTON, Supervisor of Laketon 
J. Township, and one of the most extensive 
farmers of iSIuskegon County, was born 
in Montgomery County, N. Y., February 
28, 1833. His father, who was of Englisii descent, 
was born in Connecticut and died wlien our sub- 
ject was only five days old. His mother bore the 
maiden name of Clara Van Dusen and was a native 
of New York, being the daughter of Conrad Van 
Dusen, who traced his lineage to Holland. The 
j'oungest of liiree children, our subject was reared 
by his grandfatlier A'an Dusen, and at tlie age of 
fourteen began to be self-supporting. One year 
later he commenced to work at the trade of a car- 
penter. 

At the age of seventeen, in 18i")(i, our subject 
went t<j California via tlic Isthmus of I'anama, 
and after landing in .San Francisco he proceeded 



to the mining regions, where he engaged in mining 
for one year. He remained in the Golden State 
for ten years, meantime engaging principally in 
the draying business, but during the last three 
3'ears of his sojourn in the State he was a pilot on 
a steamboat on the Sacramento River. In ISGOhe 
returned to New York and spent a short time in 
Palmyra, whence in the spring of 1861 he came to 
Michigan and located in Burr Oak, .St. Joseph 
Country. For two years he worked at his tradi' 111 
that eit}'. 

Coming to Muskegon County in June, 1863, 
Mr. Ilorton homesteaded the land where he now 
resides. The place was then wholly unimproved, 
and he carried on lumbering for many years. He 
erected a small log house for his family, and in 
that primitive home they resided for twenty-one 
years. In 1884 he built the handsome two-story 
house now adorning the place at a cost of more 
than $4,()()0. He is the owner of two hundred and 
fifty acres in the home farm and also eight}' acres 
on section 1, Laketon Townshi)), sixty acres of 
which have been placed under excellent cultiva- 
tion. 

May 9, 1861, occurred the marriage of Mr. Ilor- 
ton to Miss Ilanna Van Dusen, wlio was born in 
Wayne County, N. Y., in 1836. Her father, Hiram 
Van Dusen. and her mother, whose maiden name 
was Mariah Crandail, were both natives of the em- 
pire State. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Horton has 
been l)lessed by the birth of four children, namely: 
Elma J., wife of Frank \Vixsoii,of Laketon Town- 
ship; Charles A., Hiram O. and Clarissa F., who re- 
side with their parents. With one exception these 
children were born on the homestead now occu- 
pied by the famil}-. 

In politics a Republican. l\Ir. Ilorton has alw.ays 
given liis support to the priiicii)les of his chosen 
party. In 1869 he was chosen Supervi.NJr of Lake- 
ton Township, and lias held that position more 
than half the time since the organ i/alit) 11 of the 
township, being the present incumbent of the office. 
He has also served as Iligliw.ay Commissioner. .lus- 
tice of the Peace, Assessor, Treasurer, and in other 
local positions of trust. For nniny years he was 
extensively engaged in the luinl)er business, spend- 
ing the most of his time in the woods and lijiiid- 



440 



POiiTUAlT AND BIOGRAPHICAL KECORD. 




ling hundreds of thousands of dollars belonging 
to Cliieago parties. He is one of the most success- 
ful and best-informed lumbermen of the county, 
but while his interests are large and liis business 
associations extensive, he has ever been honorable 
and upriglit in liis transactions, and is justly 
proud of the fact that he has never wronged a 
man. 



ILLIAM WHIPPLE, Jh. Too much praise 

M cannot be bestowed upon the brave de- 
fenders of tiie Old Flag, wlio enduied the 
hardships incident to long and fatiguing marches, 
dreary daj's in camp and perilous hours near the 
foe. Mr. Whipple is one of the men to whose 
bravery, undaunted courage and energy we owe 
the preservation of our nation, the "land of the 
free." He is as progressive in civil life as he was 
brave during his military career, and both as sol- 
dier and farmer lias discharged the duties devolv- 
ing upon him with a cheerful and unwavering 
fidelity. 

A native of New York, our subject was horn in 
Ontario County September 19, 18.39. His father, 
Stephen II. Whipple, was born in Erie, Pa., and at 
the age of eleven years removed from there to 
New York, locating in Ontario County, where he 
resided until he was foity. He then came to 
Michigan and settled in Ottawa County, near Hud- 
sonville, where he still resides. He married Miss 
!Mary Ann Smith, whose parents removed from 
New Jersey to Michigan, d^ing in this State. Our 
subject, the eldest of six children, received his 
education in the district schools of the Empire 
State, and worked on a farm until he was twenty- 
one. 

Accompanying his parents to Jlichigaii at the 
age of sixteen, our subject assisted in clearing and 
improving his father's farm. Upon attaining his 
majority he conimence<l to work as a laborer in 
the employ of others. In August, 1862, he en- 
listed as a member of Company I), Twenty-first 
Michigan Infantry, and was mustered into the 



service on the 3d of September following. With 
his regiment he participated in a number of des- 
perate encounters with the rebels, including the 
battles of Perryville, Ky., and Stone River, Tcnn. 
At the battle last named he was severel3' wounded, 
and was confined in a hospital for fourteen months, 
at the expiration of which time he was trans- 
ferred to the Veteran Reserve Coi|)s. On the 16th 
of August, 1864, he was promoted to Second Lieu- 
tenant, and was serving in that capacity at the 
time of his discharge, June 30, 1866. 

Upon returning home, Lieut. Whipple resumed 
farming operations upon the farm where he has 
since resided, and where he engages in raising the 
various cereals to which this country is especially 
adapted. Prior to entering the army he was mar- 
ried, February 2, 1862, to ;\Iiss Maria P., daughter 
of Albert C. and Sarah (Pasco) White, natives of 
Connecticut. Mr. and Mrs. Whipple are the par- 
ents of one sou, Fred G., who has been a student 
in the Western Michigan College and the Colum- 
bian College at Grand Rapids. Socially, our sub- 
ject is a member of Grand Rapids Lodge No. 34, 
¥.& A. M.. and Iliidsonville Lodge, I. O. O. F., 
ill which he has held all the chairs. Politically, 
he has alwavs been a Republican, and places an 
abiding faith in that party. He has served in a 
number of local offices, including the positions of 
Township Clerk and Drain Commissioner. 



l#^^ii-^"i^l;M#i% 



■jfl ACKSON J. BAKER, who owns and oper- 
ates a good farm of sixty acres on section 
,—A : 29, Dalton Township, and is recognized as 
*i^l/' one of the leading agriculturists of iluske- 
gon County, is a native of the Pine Tree State. 
Ho was born in Hancock County, July 10, 184.j, 
and is a son of William and Hannah (Van Horn) 
Baker. Little is known concerning the early his- 
tory of the family, save that it was founded in 
New England at an early day. William Baker 
was liorn in Maine, and reared to manhood upon 
his father's farm, his i)arents spending their entire 



PORTRAIT AM) UIOGRAPIIICAL RECORD. 



441 



lives in that State. At the age of twenty-two he 
left home to make his own way in the world. 
Wishing to try his fortune in the West, he enii- 
frrated to Ohio, and secured a small tract of land 
from the Government. During his residence in 
tlie Buckeye State he was married, and ten chil- 
dren were born of the union, namely: .Sanford, 
Sarah, Samuel, AVilliam, Jackson, Emery and 
Amanda. Selling liis farm in Ohio, Mr. Baker 
emigrated to Michigan thirty-five years ago and 
located in Clinton County. There he purchased 
three hundred acres of unimproved land, and to 
its development and cultivation devoted his ener- 
gies througliout the remainder of his life. Mrs. 
Baker died when our subject was quite young, and 
he was afterwards again married, having two chil- 
dren by the second union, Charles and Jolin. In 
politics, William Baker was a Democrat, and for 
twelve years he acceptably and creditabi}' filled 
the office of Justice of the Peace. Pleasant and 
genial in manner, he was well liked by every one 
and had no enemies. lie held membership with 
the Baptist Church, as did the mother of our 
subject. 

No event of special importance occurred during 
the childhood and ^outh of the gentleman whose 
name heads this i-ecord. On attaining his major- 
ity, he began life for himself upon a forty -acre 
farm left him by his father. About 1871, he sold 
that propert}^ and came to Muskegon County-, 
Mich., locating upon the farm where he now re- 
sides, lie purchased sixty acres, a wild and heav- 
ily timbered tract, but his labors have transformed 
it into fields of rich fertility. For fourteen years 
he has been successfully engaged in the lumber 
business. 

While in Clinton County, Mich., ^Ir. Baker was 
united in marriage with Miss .Sylvia J. Stokes, and 
by their union has been born a family of four chil- 
dren. Frank, the eldest, married Anna Burton, and 
resides at No. 121b Noble Avenue, Chicago. lie 
completed the High School course at Whitehall and 
for several years has been on the stage, being now 
connected with the theatrical profession. William, 
who was engaged in teaching, is now attending 
college in Big Rapids, Mich. Maude is a student 
in the High .School of Muskegon; and Winnefred 



completes the family. The Baker household is the 
abode of hospitality, and its doors are ever open 

for the reception of the many friends who delight 
there to gather. 

Socially, Mr. BiiUer is connected with the Knights 
of Honor of Whitehall. He lias been called upon 
to serve in various local ollices, was Township 
Commissioner for years. Treasurer for two years, 
and Supervisor for two years. The duties of 
these positions he has discharged with a prompt- 
ness and fidelity that have won him the commenda- 
tion of all concerned. A progressive and pul>lu-- 
spirited citizen, the best interests of the commu- 
nity ever find in him a friend. 






l>-^<! 



@^~^ 



<& JfeELLS PARISH, a young and energetic 
\r\j/j' agriculturist and prosperous mill-owner 
\yW of Allendale Township, Ottawa County, 
Mich., is a native of the State, and was born in 
Polkton Township August 1, 1854. He is the son 
of Enos and Valeria (Wait) Parish, prominent 
citizens and pioneer settlers of the Wolverine 
State, and was educated among the scenes of his 
cliildiiood in Polkton Township, and, trained to 
habits of self-reliant industry, attained to man- 
hood well lifted to make his own w.ay in life. 
Thoroughly grounded in agricultural duties, lie 
began life for himself as a farmer, and although 
he remained with his father until twenty-five 
years old he received upon lii> twenly-lii-jt birlli- 
day forty acres of land. In wliich he added sixt\' 
acres, all at first entirely wild land, but since 
brought up to a high state of cultivation and im- 
proved with attractive and substantial buildings. 
When twenty-six years old, Jlr. Parish was 
united in marriage with Miss Ilattie .Stevens, a 
native of New York and daughter of Ransom and 
Maria (Sinead) .Stevens, who, enugraling from the 
Empire State to the fartiier West, located in Mich- 
igan shortly after the linal close of hostilities of 
the late Civil War. Mr. and Mrs. Stevens were 
the parents of seven children, six of whom sur- 



442 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



vived to adult age. Emil^- became tlie wife of J. 
D. Pierson, of Sparta, Kent County, Mich.; Ed- 
ward was killed while logging in Bass River, 
Mich.; Eliza is the wife of Henr3' Pierson, of 
this township; Milo makes his home in Allen- 
dale Township; Hattie is the wife of our subject; 
and Harrison lives in the township. 

When Mr. and Mrs. Parish were first married 
thej- gave their undivided efforts to the improve- 
ment of their homestead, wliose fertile soil, soon 
yielding tliem an abundant harvest, amply re- 
munerated the patient toilers for all the care and 
labor expended in seed-time and harvest. The 
handsome two-story residence, the excellent barns, 
and the general air of thrift and prosperity' plainly 
reveal tiie success of the owners of the valuable 
farm. Mr. Parish also owns ten acres in Allen- 
dale Centre, where the family now reside, and 
where he is engaged in the sawmill business, also 
l)rofitably running a feedmill. In 1889 our sub- 
ject entered into milling, first conducting a feed- 
mill and then sawing short stuff. In April, 1892, 
in compan}' with Frank A. Parker, of Allendale 
Township, Mr. Parish built his present sawmill, 
which has a capacity of twelve tiiousand feet dailj'. 
The product of the mill is mostly disposed of in 
Grand Rapids, although the firm enjoj'S the custom 
of a large count}' trade. Since attaining liis ma- 
jority, our subject has placed in lauds aud milling 
machinery from $5,000 to ^6,000, which he has 
accumulated by business ability and enterprise, 
being abl}- aided and encouraged by his intelligent 
life companion, who has proven herself a helpmate 
indeed. 

During the passing years eight children have, ; 
witli their intelligence brightened the home of 
our subject and his estimable wife. Essie R. is the 
eldest-born; then follow in order of birth Artie 
L., Nellie M., Ada B. (deceased), Emily .J., Charles 
R., Avis E. and Newton "W. Mrs. I'aritli occu- 
pies a high social position, and is a valued mem- 
ber of the Ladies' Aid Society of Allendale Town- 
ship. Our subject is a stockholder, a Director aud 
the first President of the Allendale Creamery 
Company, established in the spring of 1893, and 
takes an active interest in the promotion of all 
vital iuterestsof the township and count}-. Politi- 



callj- a Democrat, and well posted in local and na- 
tional issues, Mr. Parish is too absorbed in his 
business to devote much time to politics, and has 
never sought public office, hut is nevertlieless ever 
ready to do his full share in all matters of public 
welfare, and is nunjbered among the leading citi- 
zens and substantial men of Ottawa County. 



<^ 



w 



ILLIAM ANDERSON. Among those of 
foreign birth who have sought homes in 
the United States and attained honorable 
positions in social and business circles may be 
mentioned the name of ^Ir. Anderson, a promi- 
nent farmer of Muskegon County, residing on 
section 23, Laketon Township. He inherits to a 
large degree the qualities of energy, probity and 
industry that have characterized the Swedes from 
time immemorial, and that make them such a de- 
sirable class of settlers. Without the assistance 
of influential friends and without money, he has 
worked his way onward and upward, gaining ex- 
tensive possessions, and that which is better — 
the good-will of his associates. 

The parents of our subject were Samuel and 
Sophia (Amolia) Anderson, natives of Sweden, 
where they passed their entire lives engaged in 
agricultural pursuits. They were the parents of 
six children, and the tiiird of tliese was William, 
who was born in Sweden August 17, 1835. He 
was reared in the land of iiis birth, receiving a 
limited education in the common schools, and 
early in life learning the trade of a gardener, at 
which he was employed for a number of years. 
In 1865, accompanied by his family, he emi- 
grated to tlie United States, and, |irocecding direct 
to Michigan, located in tlie city of Muskegon. At 
first he worked by the da\- at any employmeiil 
he could secure, and for fi\e years was with the 
firm of Hyerson, Hill it; Co., millers. 

Purchasing a farm in Laketon Township, Mr. 
Anderson entered upon the .active career of a 
farmer, and has since continued to reside upon 



11^ 



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I. ^^• 



^-T'TT"'" 3 £ Wt^ 



















■ --■^'<-<^-^'^'' 



RESIDENCE OF WILLIAM AIJ DERoON , ! JORTH rviUSKLGO N , M ICH 




HLSIUENCL UF JOHI-4 F<. T Y/ i 55 , i LCo. 12 S. ;i.,CASNOVi A 1 r. i/i Uo k LGON CO.,mn-ft. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPmCAL RECORD. 



445' 



the place he first located upon. He is the owner 
of lifty acres, upon wUicli he lias placed all the 
improvements of a first-class farm. His life proves 
what industry' and perseverance may accomplish, 
for when he emigrated to this country he had 
only ^200 with which to start in business, but 
through tireless energy he has gained success. 
For nine years he conducted a boarding-house at 
his present residence, a substantial and conveni- 
ently arranged dwelling of twenty-two rooms. 

The lady who in October. 18(;(i, became the 
wife of Mr. Anderjon bore the maiden name of 
Sophia Walberry and was born in Sweden. They 
were the parents of eight children, but only three 
arc now living: Josephine, wife of .lolin Henry, 
of Wiishington; Hoiiiy, a resident uf Muliiie, 111.; 
and .lennie, tiie wife of Thomas Dt)neh('an, of 
Saginaw, Mich. A little granddiuighter, Maude, 
makes her home with Mr. and Mrs. Anderson, and 
is tenderly cared for by theiii. In his political 
alHIiations our subject is a stanch adhertMit of 
Republican principles, and supports the candidates 
of that |)arty with his influence and ballot. 



JOHN H. TWISS, one of the most exten- 
sive fruit-growers of Casenovia Township, 
and a well-known citizen of Muskegon 
County, was born in the township of Nor- 
wich, Huron County, Ohio, on the 7tli of Septem- 
ber, 1«19, being the son of William H. and Kiecta 
(Henntlt) Twiss. His paternal grandfather, Aliiel 
Twiss, emigrated to America from Germany in 
company witfi two brothers, and settled in Con- 
necticut. Later he located in Monroe County, 
N. Y.. and thence, in 1828, he removed to Huron 
County, (Jliio, where he entered and improved 
two hundred acres. About 18()(l he removed to 
Stark County, III., where his death occiiiicil at the 
age of eighty-two. His wife survived liiiii for a 
number of years, passing away at theage of ninety- 
three. 

The father of our suliject was one of five chil- 
22 



dren, the others being: George, Jonathan and 
Abiel, who all died in Illinois; and Harriet, who 
resides in Monroeville, Ohio. Grandfather Twiss 
was a Republican in politics, and was a soldier 
in the War of 1812. His wife, whose maiden 
name w.as Mary Witter, was of English descent, 
and was born in New York in June, 1825. Will- 
iam U. Twiss was a child of tiiree years when taken 
by his parents to Ohio. In IH.'il he removed to .Mus- 
kegon County, .Mich., making the journey with an 
ox-team and a wagon. Reaching this county, he en- 
tered eighty acres on section 2.0, Casenovia Town- 
sliij), and gave his attention to its improvement. 
He also owned forty acres in Kent County. 

During the Civil War William II. Twiss enlisted 
as a member of the Union arm^-, but was rejected 
upon examination on .account of disability. Po- 
litically, he was a He|)iiblican for years, but sub- 
sequently adopted Democratic principles. In his 
religious convictions he was a member of the 
^Methodist Episcopal Churcli. He was an honor- 
able, upright innii, who made his religion a part 
of his practical everyday life, and at his deatli, 
FebruaiT 15, 18!»0. he w.is widely mourned as an 
energetic citizen, kiiKl-hcarted neighbor and help- 
ful friend. Of his marriage live children were 
born: .John K., Mary H. (Mrs. Eiechty), George 
W., Sniilh and Worth W. The mother of these 
children was born in Uliio, wiiither her father, 
Isaac Hcnnett, had removed from New York, the 
Slate of his nativity. He and his wife, whose 
maiden name was Hannah Cassady, reared a fam- 
ily of five sons and live daughters. 

After having gained a common-school educa- 
tion, our subject at the age <»f twenfj' located on 
section 12, Casenovia Townshij), where he has since 
resided. His original purchase consisted of forty 
acres, and he is now the owner of two hun- 
dred and forty acres, which he has cleared. He 
has erected a iiumlier of neat farm buildings, 
and has planted lifty-seven acres in an orchard 
containing various kiiuls of fruit trees, including 
.seven thousand pcarli trees. Farming has been 
his life vocation, .•ilthoiigii for seventeen years he 
also engaged in Itimliering. He tjikes an active 
interest in local political affairs, and is a stanch 
adherent of Democratic principles. 



446 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



June 11, 1871, Mr. Twiss married Miss Martha 
Probasco, who was born in Newaygo County, 
Mich. Her pare'nts, George and Sarah (Surrarrer) 
Probasco, emigrated from New York to Calhoun 
County, Mich., and later came to Kent County, 
and entered land upon the present site of Cas- 
enovia. There Mr. Probasco died in 1856, leaving 
his widow with two children, Martha and Jacob. 
Subsequently she married her brother-in-law, John 
Probasco, and they became the parents of one 
daughter. Her third husband was L. B. Murra3', 
to whom she bore two sons. She was the daugh- 
ter of Ransom Surrarrer, a native of New York, 
whose father had emigrated to America from 
France. George Probasco was the son of Peter, 
who emigrated from New York to Ohio, and re- 
moved thence to Calhoun County, Mich., where 
he died. Our subject and his wife are the par- 
ents of three children: Royal C, Mabel B. and 
Octavia G. 



d****,^ 



=l-i"i"i"J- ! 






eL. STRENG, a leading business man and 
prominent merchant of Montague, was 
born in the Province of Utrecht, Holland, 
July 11, 1834. He is the son of John Abraham 
and Maria (Schoeman) Streng, both natives of 
Holland and descendants of a long line of sturdj" 
ancestry. John Abraham Streng was a hussar in 
the Belgian War, and a painter by trade, and fol- 
lowed that vocation in his native country until 
1847, when he emigrated with his family to Am- 
erica. They settled on a farm in Saugatuck, Alle- 
gan County, Mich., where the father died a j'ear 
later. 

John A. and Maria Streng were the parents of 
five children, three sons and two daughters. Louis 
H., the eldest-born, is a painter residing in Grand 
Rapids. Gertrude married Charles A. Pfaff, a 
prominent politician, who was Marshal for years, 
and served as Supervisor of the city. Hu has 
also cHiciently served as Sheriff of Ottawa Coun- 
ty. Mr. Pfaff died in 1888, leaving a widow 



and six children to mourn his loss. Our subject 
was the third in order of birth. John A. en- 
listed in the Civil War and served four years, 
participating in man^- hard-fought battles. He 
was under the command of McClellan and was in 
the Army of the Tennessee. He has since been 
chiefly connected with sawmills. Gezieua married 
Frank Fragy, a sailor, who now has employment 
in the lighthouse at Grand Haven. 

Our subject, who was fourteen 3'ears of age at 
the time of his father's death, assisted in the work 
of the farm until 18.J6, when the family removed 
to Holland, Mich., where his mother died, having 
survived her husband eight years. At Holland C. 
L. received employment in the store of Henry D. 
Post, and later clerked for his brother-in-law, 
Charles Pfaff. When the latter became Sheriff 
Mr. Streng, formerly a clerk, bought him out, and 
from 1860 to 1867 conducted tlie business with 
success. In 1864, shipping a boat-load of goods 
from Chicago, the boat was lost and its cargo went 
to the bottom, seriously crippling our subject, 
who had with self-reliant efforts worked his way 
upward. In 1867 the burning of the store com- 
pleted his finaiuiul ruin and he was obliged to be- 
gin over again. 

i\Ir. Streng now went to Grand Haven and en- 
gaged as head clerk for the firm of Squires & Os- 
good. The failure of this firm at the expiration 
of six months obliged him' to seek oilier employ- 
ment, and in a brief time he had secured the posi- 
tion of book-keeper for Ferry, Dowling & Co., at 
Montague. From 1868 until 1883 he continued 
in the same round of duty, and when the E. P. 
Ferry Lumber Company was incorporated he was 
elected Secretary and remained with them one 
year, after which he resigned, in the spring of 1884. 
He then took the census of Jlontague. after which 
he went alone to Grand Kapids, where he was em- 
ployed in the private office of 1. M. Weston, and 
w.as for a time book-keeper in the Fourth National 
Bank of Grand Rapids. It was nol long, however, 
before Mr. Streng once more resumed his position 
as book-keeper with the E. P. Ferry Lumber Com- 
pany. In the si)ring of 1885 he engaged in the 
diy-goods business in Montague, and from small 
beginnings has with enterprise built up a large 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



447 



and rapidly increasing trade. lie also has a store ' 
at Ilollniul. Mitli.. wliii'li is managed liy his sun, 
Henry P. Strcnii;. 

Upon June 13, 18C1, V. L. Strenii :»"•' Miss 
IleU'n.n M. Sakkers were uniied in ni.nrriaite. Mrs. 
Slrenj^ was uf Holland descent, and the daughter 
of Peter and .Johanna (Voorlage) Sakkers, the 
former a cabinet-maker, then of (iiand K'apids. 
The esliniaLile wife of our subject died in lf<7(), in 
Minneapolis, Minn., leaving to the care of her 
husband three children. .lohn C, the eldest, is a 
graduate of the State L'niversity and was chief 
draughtsman in the Industrial Works of Bay City, 
where lie rcniaiiied from 1884 to 1893, and is now 
employed a*; draughtsman at .South Milwaukee. 
He married Jliss Chula Armstrong, of Bay City. 
Minnie Streng, who was for si.K years a clerk in 
her father's store, married Benjamin R. Hoffman, 
now in the Auditor's ollice of the Chicago ct West 
Michigan Railroad at Grand Kapids. Tlicy are 
the parents of one child, Ernest Streng Hoffman. 
Henrj' Peter Streng is a graduate of the Grand 
Rapiiis Cominercial College and is a partner in 
the store which he manages at Holland. For two 
years he held with etiiciency a position in the 
Grand Hapids National Hank, and for four years 
was book-keeper of the Widdicomb & Musselmnn 
wholesale grocery establishment. 

Our subject married again in 1877, his second 
choice being Miss Mary Harling, daughter of a 
former leading artist of Grand Rapids. Three 
children have been born unto this union, C'harles ' 
L.. Henrietta and Kredtrick S., all of whom are 
enjoying the best educational advantages of their 
home vicinity. Politically, our subject has been a 
lifelong Democrat, and has held numerous oflices 
of trust. For seventeen years Township Clerk, he 
has discharged the duties devolving upon him to 
the great sali^faction of his fellow-citizens. I'lii- 
tiiig with the church in l.sdd, mir subject, for 
twenty 3'ears a faithful Elder of the Presbyterian 
Church and an active religious worker, has also 
done much to advance the cause of temperance. 
Literally a self-made man, he may with satisfac- 
tion review a life of energetic industry, animated 
by a courage and determination which have en- 
abled hull to overcome obstacles and win financial 



success and an abundant competence. An upright 
man and libcial-spirited citizen, he is universally 
respected and enjoys the high regard of manv 
friends. 



;•» =: » / 




LFRED ROBINSON, an honored pioneer 
settler of Ottawa County, Mich., and a 
• man of sterling integrity' of character, 
^ universally esteemed, |>assed to his rest 

mourned by a host of old-time friends, in whose 
liearts his memory will long be green. Our sub- 
ject, a native of Otsego County, X. Y., was born 
in the 3'ear 1826, was educated in the common 
schools of the near vicinity of his birthplace, and 
attained manhood amid the familiar scenes of his 
childhood. In 1812, self-reliantly seeking his for- 
tune in the West, Mr. Robinson, in company with 
a large party of more than two-score people, jour- 
neyed from the Empire State to Michigan and 
located in the woods in Robinson Township. 
Clearing the land, he developed a fine (arm of 
two hundred acres, and at one time owned im- 
mense tracts of land. Together with his asso- 
ciates he had landed at Grand Haven, and nearly 
all of the party settled permanently within the 
boundaries of Ottawa County. 

Our subject was united in marriage in Kent 
County, Mich., to Miss Julia Ann, daughter of 
John King, a long-time citizen of Kent County. 
Mr. and Mrs. Robinson passed their entire wedded 
lives in Ottawa County and there reared a family 
of six children. Louisa is the widow of Morti- 
mer Lowing; Charles L. was the second in order 
of birth; Alfred makes his home in Robinson 
Township; Sarah is the wife of Edgar Freeman, of 
(Trand Rapids; Emma is the wife of William Fos- 
ter, of Robinson \'illage; and Edgar is a resident 
of Grand Rapids. 

Charles L. Robinson, the eldest son and sec- 
ond child of our subject, is a native of Ottawa 
County, and was educated in the excellent public 
schools of his home locality. At eighteen j'ears 



448 



PORTRAIT AND EIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



of age, beginning life for himself, he engaged in 
lumbering, a pursuit which he followed more or 
less until 1873, when he entered into the business 
of a millwright, and since for several years has in 
different parts of the Wolverine State engaged in 
milling. In 1877 Charles L. Robinson and Miss 
Annie Griswold were united in mairiage. Unto 
this union were born three children, two of whom 
are living, Mortimer and Watson 15. The estima- 
ble wife did not man^' years survive her marriage, 
and some time after her death this son of our 
subject again wedded, marrying Miss Addie L. 
Carter, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Alonzo Carter, 
who still reside in Ottawa County. Unto this last 
union were born three children, Melbourne, Mar- 
gueriete and Mabel. 

In the month of December, 1892, Charles L. Rob- 
inson located in Agnew and successfully engaged 
in merchandising. He owns a part of the old 
homestead and has been financially prospered, 
lie possesses the full confidence of his fellow- 
townsmen, by whom he has been a number of 
times elected to responsible positions of local trust. 
In the spring of 1893 he was elected Supervisor of 
Grand Haven Townshi)), and is now transacting 
with efficiency the various duties of the office. He 
has also during the present year received the ap- 
pointment of Postmaster of Agnew, and has long 
been known as a stanch Democrat, tried and true, 
and for about eleven years served as Town Clerk 
in Robinson. Fraternally a member of the Mac- 
cabees of Grand Haven, our subject has many 
friends among the order, and as a citizen and 
friend enjoys the high regard of a wide acquaint- 
ance. 



e-#-f^p= 



/^EORGE FULLER, a successful farmer of 
III ,_— Tallmadge Township, and one of the ener- 
^^:^1 geticand public-spirited citizens of Ottawa 
County, was born in the .State of New York, Au- 
gust 20, 1820. He is the eighth of a family of 
thirteen children born to Daniel and Annie (Ames) 
Fuller, natives of New York, who died respect- 



ively about 1867 and 1863. His primary educa- 
tion was acquired in the common schools of Sack- 
ett's Harbor, N. Y., and at the age of twelve years 
he accompanied his parents to Michigan, settling 
with them in the woods of Wayne County. They 
came to Michigan at a date so early in the history 
of this State that Detroit, now the principal city 
of this powerful commonwealth, contained only 
three buildings. The surrounding country was all 
a wilderness, overgrown with tangled shrubbery 
and lofty forest trees. 

This was in 1832. Sixty years and more have 
come and gone since this little family sought a 
home in Jlichigan. The parents are deceased and 
the children scattered in various parts of the 
country; but the State of which they were pio- 
neers has continued to grow, and is now one of 
the most prominent in the galaxy of common- 
wealths of this great Union. Our subject spent 
ten years in Detroit, after which he removed to 
Macomb County and sojourned there for about 
three years. He came to Grand Rapids in Febru- 
ary', 1843. At that season of the year the coun- 
tr3' was covered witii snow and it was impossible 
to secure employment of any kind. He had five 
shillings in money and also had the promise from 
his brother, who lived near Grand H.ipids. that he 
would give him work to do in tlie spring; mean- 
while he was given the privilege of remaining 
with the brother and settling for his board after- 
ward. 

In the spring of 1843 Mr. Fuller began the 
chopping of timber, and succeeded in clearing one 
hundred acres in eighteen months. He has cleared 
a farm in Kent County, one in Newaygo County, 
and one in Ottawa County, upon which he resides. 
He has devoted his attention to farming and lum- 
bering. In 1862 he enlisted as a member of the 
Twenty-first Michigan Infantry, in which he served 
until he was disabled, when he w.as discharged. 
During the period of his active service he ])artici- 
patcd in a number of skirmishes, in all of which 
he bore his part with the gallanti\- and courage of 
a true patriot. 

Miss Emily, daughter of Jesse Smith, of Kent 
County, Mich., became the wife of our subject in 
1845. Six children were born of the union. Re- 



PORTRAiT AND BIOGRAPHICAL KECUUD. 



449 



becca married John Belts and lives in Ottawa 
County; Sii.sanna is the wife of Hubert Andrews, 
and makes her home in Newaygo County; Ku- 
])iiema is the wife of the Rev. Robert Linn, of Indi- 
ana; (Jeoige K. married .Mi»s Ida Scinires, and re- 
sides in Kansas; L. P. married Miss Mabel Apple- 
irartii and also lives in Kansas; and Louana is llie 
wife of .\ndrew Vogel, and makes her home with 
our subject. 

In polities Mr. Fuller is an advocate of the 
People's party. In 1880 he was nominated Ijy 
the Democrats for Representative of Newaygo 
County, but declined tlie nomination and during 
the same year he cast his ballot with the (iieon- 
back party. He was the first Treasurer ever elected 
in Ashland Township, Newaygo County, and also 
tilled the position of Supervisor for several terms. 
Socially, he is a member of Champlin Post No. 29, 
('. A. R.,at (irand Rapids, Tallmadge Grange, and 
Merlin Lodge No. 248, F. ifc A. M. While not a 
member of any church, he believes in the immttr- 
tality of the soul. 




J*W LONZU 15. SUMNER. Prominent among 
the farmers of White River Township, 
Muskegon County, may be mentioned the 
name of Mr. Sumner, an etlicientand pro- 
gressive agriculturist, whose home is located on 
section 11. He is the son of Putnam W. and Ca- 
lista (Merrick) .Sumner, the former of whom was 
born in Vermont in 1801, and the latter in New 
York in 1813. They were married in the Empire 
Slate, and for a time resided near Malone, where 
the father followed the occupation of a farmer, 
and was also engaged at his trade of a blacksmith. 
Coming to .Michigan in 18.51, Putnam W. Sum- 
ner settled on a farm in Macomb County, where 
he resided for twelve years. Thence he came to 
Muskegon County and settled on section 1 1, White 
River Township, purchasing here a tract of timber- 
land, wholly destitute of improvements and occu- 
pying a lonely situation, remote from an}' neigh- 



bors. Here he continued to till the soil until his 
death, which occurred in .\pril, 1892; his wife liad 
passed away in 1880. They were consistent mem- 
l)ers of the Methodist Episcopal Church and up- 
right and nolilc in character, winning by the kind- 
ness and goodness of their lives the high regard 
of all with whom they came in contact. A Re- 
publican in politics, he served as Sujiervisor of 
White River Township, .Justice of the Peace and 
School Director. 

In the Sumner family there were eight children, 
six of whom grew to maturity and three are now 
living. William P. is a resident of Detroit, Mich.; 
.lulia is the wife of Th(jmas 15. Ilulibard, of White 
River Township, and the mother of three children; 
and our subject is the next in order of birth. 
Cieorge W. died, leaving a wife and five ciiildren, 
four of whom arc now living; Laura, deceased, 
was the wife of .Archie Green and the mother of 
two children; and .lulius, the youngest, is also 
dead. During the war the family sympathized 
\iith the Lnioii cause, and William P. served as a 
member of tiie Twent^'-seventh Michigan Infantrv, 
being breveted Major. 

Born in Malone, N. V., April 21, 18.')1, the sub- 
ject of this sketch was a child of three years when 
he w.as brought to Michigan, and he received a 
comnion-scliool education here. His time, how- 
ever, was principally devoted to farm work, and 
early in life he gained a thorough knowledge of 
agriculture. At the age of twenty-one he went 
to Detroit, where he engaged as a clerk in his 
brother's store. After a short sojourn in Detroit 
he proceeded to the mining regions of Lake Supe- 
rior in company with his brother George, and there 
engaged as a copper-miner in the eni])lo_y of Mr. 
Farewell. He was also employed for one and one- 
half years in the Calumet it lleckla mines, and 
was afterward Superintendent of the Alloway 
Mine Railroad until the winter of 187.'?. 

Returning to Muskegon County, Jlr. Sumner 
has since resided on section 11, where he owns 
ninety acres of land, forty-five of which are under 
cultivation. He is largely interested in fruit, hav- 
ing planted apple, pear, peach and cherr}- trees 
in large numbers. Here he engages in general 
fanning and stock-raising with flattering success. 



450 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



He was married in 1876 to Miss Ada Selleck, 
whose father, Hubbard Selleck, migiated from 
New Yoik to Michigan, settling first in Flint and re- 
moving thence to Schoolcraft, Kalamazoo County. 
Mrs. Ada Sumner died .June 30, 1889, aged thirty- 
eiglil years. Their union had resulted in the birth 
of three childien: Nellie L., Fred A. and Ada G. 
Tlie second marriage of Mr. Sumner occurred May 
28, 1891, and united him with Miss Ella M. Youngs, 
a native of Michigan and a daughter of the late 
William Youngs, a soldier in tlie Civil War. They 
are the parents of one child, Eloise. 

In religious connections. Mr. Sumner is a Trus- 
tee in the Metliodist Episcopal Church, and is Li- 
brarian and Treasurer of the Sunday-school, in 
wliich he has also been a teacher. In politics he 
is a Kepubliean, with Prohibition Bvmijathies. He 
is at present Moderator of School District No. 4, 
and has frequently been a delegate to conven- 
tions. From 1886 until 1889 he was Supervisor 
of White River Township; he also served as Town- 
ship Treasurer for two terms, and as Highway 
Commib.5ioner for one term. 



'^t AMES HUNTLEY. Each succeeding year 
witnesses many marked improvements in 
tlie city of Hollarid, particularly in the way 
of line business blocks, residences, etc., and 
in all these structures are blended strength, dur- 
ability and beauty. Among those who have 
acquired a wide reputation as contractors and 
builders, there is probably no one more popular 
and prominent than .James lluntle}', whose rep- 
utation is not merely- local, but extends over a 
wide scope of country. This gentlemen is well 
qualilicd for executing all work ap|iertaining to 
his business, disjjlays remarkably good judgment, 
and is in every way well qualified to render satis- 
faction to all |)lacing orders or sjiecial commis- 
sions in his hands, lie understands thoroughly 
every detail of his business, is prompt, energetic 



and active, and thoroughly deserves the success 
that has crowned his efforts. Lie is President of 
the Ottawa Furniture Company at Holland, and is 
one of the most stirring, wide-awake businessmen 
of the place. 

Mr. Huntley is a native of p]ngland. born in 
Kent. October 10. 1845, and the son of George 
Huntley, who was also a native of Kent. The 
father, who was a contractor and builder in his na- 
tive town, was a man of more than ordinary prom- 
inence. Our subject was educated in England and 
after leaving the schoolroom he began learning 
the trade of carpenter and joiner, which he fol- 
lowed for eleven years. In the year 1868 he was 
married in England to Miss .Tulia Thorpe, a na- 
tive of Kent, and a daughter of .lames Thorpe, 
who was also a builder and contractor. In the 
year 1870 Mr. Huntley and family crossed the 
ocean to America and came direct to Michigan, 
locating in Holland, where he opened a carpen- 
ter shop. Every year he kept rebuilding, and 
is now one of the foremost men in his business 
in the city. Many of the fine residences that 
have been erected by him are a source of pleasure 
to the owners and of pride to Holland, a town al- 
ready rich in the possession of tasty and commo- 
dious dwellings. 

Mr. Huntley is President of the electric light 
plant in Holland, the same having been organ- 
ized about eighteen months ago, and he was one 
of the organizers of the Ottawa F'urniture Com- 
pany in 1890. This companj- employs about one 
hundred and ten men and the f.actory is located on 
River Street. This v.ast enterprise does an annual 
business of ^165,000. It has a capital stock of 
§40,000, and has aided materially the progress and 
development of the city. Mr. Huntley is a stock- 
holder in the First x'>tate Bank. Like many of the 
best citizens of the county, he started out to fight 
life's battles for himself with limited means, but 
by industry and good management has become 
one of the substantial men of the city. All the 
most prominent buildings, both for private use 
and for business, have been erected by Mr. Huntley 
and are a credit to his skill and ability as a eon- 
tractor and builder. In his political views he is a 
Democrat and has ever advocated the principles 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



451 



of tliat party. He has been a member of the School 
Board for sonu- lime, and lla^^ ever been public- 
spirited and enterprising, contributing liberally of 
liis means to advance all worthy enterprises. So- 
cially, he is a memlicr of llie Elks and has held the 
otlice of Senior Warden in the Ancient Free <fe 
Accepted Jfasons. To his marriage were born the 
following children: George, Mary, Nellie, Harry, 
Cecil and Adeline. 



- » » »i ^ > ■ 



? I ' I > ■« 



EZRA II. SMKAI). The Knipire State has 
furnished to Michigan, and especially to Ot- 
'^ tawa Count}', many representative citizens, 
and among them might be mentioned Kzra II. 
Smead, who has resided here for many years. In 
everything connected with the growth and pros- 
perity of the county, he has ever taken an active 
interest, and as a tiller of the soil he stands in the 
foremost ranks. His life of industry and useful- 
ness, and his record for integrity and true-hearted 
faithfulness in all the relations of life, have given 
him a hold upon the community which all might 
well desire to share. 

Mr. Smead 's parents, Charles and Patty (Hose) 
Smead, were natives respectivel}' of Canada and 
Vermont, and the Smead family was among the 
first in the Blue Mountain State. The Hose fam- 
ily settled in \'ermont at a later date and came 
originally from Ireland. Charles Smead was a 
farmer by occupation, and moved from New York 
(whither his parents had removed at an early date) 
and settled on the farm where our subject now 
resides in 1HG6. This farm was covered with a 
heavy growth of timber, and it required a great 
amount of work to get it in condition ff)r farming. 
For years he w.as engaged in tilling on this farm, 
and here died in 18«5, at the age of eighty-six 
years. His wife still survives, and is now in her 
ninetieth year, having been born in 1801. Jlr. 
Smead was born in IT'.Ki. While residing in New 
York, both he and his wife were members of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church, and he was Class- 



leader in the same. After coming to the Wolver- 
ine Slate, they attached themselves to the Wesley- 
an Methodist Church, and p!»ssed the remainder of 
their days identified with that church. They 
were the parents of ten children, eight of whom 
lived to years of maturity. Mariah is the wife of 
Ransom Stevens; Avis, deceased, w.is the wife of 
Robert Avery, of Rhode Island; Allie is the widow 
of Lemuel B. Johnson, and resides in Idaho; 
Charles, who is deceased, ieft a family in Grand 
Rapids; Hannah is the wife of Darwin Merrill, of 
St. Lawrence County, N. Y.: Harriet, deceased, 
was the wife of Robert Cantrell; K. II. is our sub- 
ject; Elijah H. resides in this township; and Riley 
and one unnamed died in infancy. 

Ezra H. Smead, the subject of this sketch, was 
principally educated in St. Lawrence County, N. 
Y., and came to Michigan with his father. Pre- 
vious to locating in this State, he was engaged in 
farming, and this hasconlinued to be his chosen oc- 
cupation. When the family first settled in Michi- 
gan, Mr. Smead paid ^."lOO in cash for the farm on 
which our subject now lives, and had suflicienl left 
to enable him to pass through the first year. The 
country was wild and unsettled, there were no 
public roads, Indians abounded, and the woods 
were full of game. Mr. Smead has done consider- 
able hard work in his day, but now has his farm in 
a line state of cultivation. Nearly all the improve- 
ments made on it have been done by himself or un- 
der his iniinediate supervision. The first five years 
after coming to the .State were spent on a rented 
farm, and during this time our subject and his fa- 
ther cleared a portion of the farm and erected a 
frame residence and a good barn. ;\Ir. Smead has 
a good orchard of three acres, and in a small wa^' 
is engaged in bee culture. 

In 18G9 Mr. Smead was elected Township Clerk 
and re-elected to the same position for six years. 
He has also served as School Inspector, and w.as 
elected a number of times as .lustice of the Peace, 
but wdubl not serve. On the 1st of .lariuary, 1867, 
he was married to Miss Fannie E. Woodburry, a na- 
tive of New York, and the daughter of Nathan 
and Lucy (Maxfield) Woodburry, both of whom 
died whi!!! Mrs. Smead was quite small. Mi. and 
Mrs. Woodburry were the parents of three chil- 



452 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



dren: Fannie E., John Joseph and Susan. To Mr. 
and Mrs. Smead were horn two children: Elmer 
E., born November 8. 1867, and one wlio died in 
infanc}-. They have an adopted daugliter, Alice 
S. (Wilks) Smead. Mr. and Mrs. .Smead and the 
ciiildren are members of the Wesle^-an Jlethodist 
Chinch. Mr. Smead is Trustee of the building and 
propert3- and Steward of the churcli. Mrs. Smead 
is Treasurer and Steward of the church, and Pres- 
ident of the Woman's C^hristian Temperance 
Union at Allendale, as well as Vice-President of 
the Ladies' Aid Society-, of which she was the 
founder and first President. Both Mr. and Mrs. 
Smi-ad take a deep interest in Sunday-school work, 
the latter having been a teacher since the organi- 
zation of the church. The son, Elmer E., served 
as Secretary of the Sunday-school, and takes quite 
an active interest in the school. 






i.*:;:^^5ii£:2^ 



SO~ 



"if'OHN W. A. TURNER. Honored among 
the citizens of Ottawa County stands the 
name of Mr. Turner, who owns and occu- 
pies one of Tallmadgo Township's most at- 
tr.active and highly cultivated farms. Since lo- 
cating here he has planted fruit and shade trees, 
divided the fields by a fine S3'stem of fencing, 
erected substantial buildings adapted to their va- 
ried purposes, and introduced modern conven- 
iences of a desirable nature. He no longer, as in 
years past, actively tills the soil, but, notwithstand- 
ing advancing years, he still superintends the 
management of his estate. 

The father of our subject, Kzr.a Turner, a native 
of Massachusetts, gained the title of Captain from 
his services as commanding officer of a company 
during tlie War of 1812. He married Miss Anna, 
daughter of Nathan Beman, who during the con- 
flict with the British piloted the famous Ethan 
Allen into Ft. Ticoiideroga. Our subject, the 
eleventh in order of age among his father's family, 
was born in Schuyler Falls, Clinton County, N. Y., 
August 27, 1819. During liis childhood he at- 



tended the schools of his native town, where he 
gained a practical education, fitting him for the 
stern realities of life. His time, however, was de- 
voted principally to agriculture, and he early in 
life gained a thorough knowledge of farming pur- 
suits while aiding his father on the home farm. 

At the age of seventeen, our subject commenced 
to earn his own support, and for a short time 
worked as a farm laljorer, but later learned the 
trade of a wrought-iron maker, at which he found 
employment for a period of eleven years. He 
then purchased a farm in his native county', but 
after tilling the soil there for a few years he bought 
a tract of land in Lawrence County, N. Y., where 
he made his liome for fourteen years, meanwhile 
bringing the place to a high state of cultivation 
and embellishing it with substantial buildings. 
Upon disposing of his interests in New York, he 
came to Michigan and for a few months visited 
with relatives at Grand Rapids. 

Later, purchasing the farm where lie now lives, 
Mr. Turner commenced the arduous task of im- 
proving and cultivating the place, which is now 
one among the many handsome estates in Tall- 
madge Township. In 1840 he cast his ballot for 
Gen. William H. Ilariison, and had the intense 
gratification of voting for the grandson of that 
illustrious warrior and President raan\' years after- 
ward. Since the organization of the Republican 
party he has upheld its principles and been an 
earnest advocate of every measure originated un- 
der its auspices. He has served as Supervisor of 
Tallinadge Township for two terms and has also 
occupied other responsible positions. 

The marriage of Mr. Turner occurred on the 
11th of July, 1842, and united him with Miss 
Percis, daughter of Gardner and Elizabeth (Rick- 
etson) Davis, residents of Peru, Clinton County, 
N. Y. To this marriage have been born three 
children, two of whom are living. George D. 
married Lillian Marvin, and resides at Grand 
Haven, this State. John G. chose as his wife 
Miss Sarah Chapel and lives with his venerable 
parents on the home farm. July 11, 1892, Mr. 
Turner and his good wife celebrated their golden 
wedding, and upon that hap|ij' occasion their 
friends assembled at their home, bestowing upon 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



453 



them coni;ralul!»tioii,s and gifts of value. It is the 
wish of their hosts of friends tiiat tiicy may sm- 
vive for many years in the enjo^Mncnt of liealth 
and happiness. 



-^^>^^<^^-^ 



^jIID.MAS MlUl'llV, Chief of Police of .Mus- 
kegon, was born in Ontario County, N. Y., 
.Seittpmber 7. IS 1 1. He is liie son of Charles 
and Jane (Wright) Mnrpliy, natives respectively 
of Ireland and England, who emigrated to the 
I'nited .States soon after their marriage and located 
iu Rochester, N. Y., remaining in that city until 
their death. Thomas of this sketch passed his 
early school d.-jys in Canandaigua, where he gained 
a practical education. Upon leaving sciiool, he 
was for a time employed on the railroad, remain- 
ing thus engaged until the outbreak of the Civil 
War. 

In 1861 iMr. Murphy, tliougli a youth of only 
seventeen, enlisted as a member of the Ninety- 
ninth New Y'ork Infantry, and served for two 
years, being honorably discharged at the expira- 
tion of his term of enlistment. He then re-enlisted 
as a member of the Fourth New York Ileav^- Ar- 
tillery, and was assigned with his regiment to the 
Army of the Potomac, in winch he served with 
valor until the close of the war. In recognition 
of meritorious conduct he w.is promoted from 
the ranks to the position of First Lieutenant, and 
subsequently became Captain of his company. 
Among the battles in which he particiiiatcd may 
be mentioned the engagements of Fair Oaks and 
Spoltsylvania Court House, together with a large 
number of minor .-kirmishes. In September, 1865, 
he was honorably discharged, and returned to 
Rochester, N. Y., bearing with iiim the record of a 
brave soldier and gallant oUiccr. 

After his return to Rochester, Mr. Murphy w.as 
for four years engaged .as a clerk in a hotel. In 
1871 he came to .Michigan, locating in .Muskegon, 
and accejjlcd the position of conductor on the 
Chicago <k West Michigan Railroad. He continued 



in the employ of the railroad for sixteen years, 
holding various positions, and finally' receiving a 
merited promotion to the position of General 
Roadmaster, in which capacity he served until, on 
account of failing health, he was obliged to resign. 
Upon retiring from railroad service he w.as ap- 
pointed Chief of Police, in which he has proved 
himself an efficient officer. 

In his fraternal connections, Mr. Murphy is 
identified with the Knights Templar and the 
Maccabees, also the Jlodern Woodmen of America 
and Phil Kearney Post No. 7, G. A. R. Polit- 
ically, he is an earnest and enthusiastic cham|)ion 
of the Democratic party, of which he is a firm and 
warm supporter, advocating its princiiiles with 
unwavering loyalty and fidelity. Kind and con- 
siderate in his intercourse with his associates, and 
ever thoughtful and helpful in his business deal- 
ings, he enjo3'S the regard of the citizens of llie 
community. 






C. OAKES, a successful banker of Coopers- 
ville, Ottawa County, Mich., and well known 
as a man of practical business ability, has 
been prominently cf)nnccted with various leading 
interests of his present locality. He is a stockholder 
in the Coopersvillc Creamery, and when the build- 
ing was erected in 189.'! was elected Tre.usurer. He 
is also largely interested in the elevator business 
of the village. Our subject is a native of Jlichigan, 
and was born in St. Joseph County, his parents be- 
ing among the earliest settlers in that part of the 
.State. His father. David Oakes, w.as a native of 
the Empire .State, but when only a little lad jour- 
nej'ed with his father and mother from New York 
to the Westward, the paternal grandparents then 
making their home iu Ohio. David Oakes and 
his wife emigrated to the Wolverine .State in 18,")2, 
and, locating in the dense woods of .St. Joseph 
County, the father entered with energetic industry 
into the clearing, cultivation iind iMipr(i\ ement 
of a farm. .\ man of abilitv. he had received 



454 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



a lliorouglily [)i'actical education in the scliools 
of Ohio and had tauglit in his early manhood. 
He was guided by u|iiight principles and was a 
courageous and truly patriotic American citizen. 
When the Civil War broke out, David Oakes, 
raising a company of volunteers, was commis- 
sioned Captain and enlisted under Gov. Blair. 
The father served with gallantry under Gen. 
Rosecrans, but shortly after the battle of Mur- 
freesboro died from the exposure and fatigue 
incidental to the campaign. A year later our sub- 
ject lost his mother, so that at tlie early age of 
eleven years he was left without a home and had 
to make his own way in the world after that. 

The surviving children of the parents' farailj' 
were Dustin C, our subject, and Jessie P., now Mrs. 
H. R. Curtis, of Lyons. Mr. Oakes passed the 
days of childhood and attained to manhood in St. 
Joseph County. Ambitious and self-reliant, he 
worked out by the month to acquire the means to 
educate himself in the Agricultural College, from 
wliifh institution he graduated with lienor in 1874. 
Immediately following the completion of his stud- 
ies, Mr. Oakes taught school for one year, and 
achieved success as an instructor. 

In 1876 Dustin C. Oakes and Miss Nora, daugh- 
ter of Rufus Kelly, of Lyons, were married. For 
the succeeding five years our subject prosperously 
engaged in the tilling of the soil. He served as 
Deput}' County Clerk for one year, then soon after 
entered into banking, to which latter business he 
has devoted himself mainly since 1883, when he 
settled in .Shelby, Oceana County, his permanent 
home for a half-score of years. Upon January 1, 
1891, ISh'. Oakes removed to Coopersville, and 
bought his present business of D. O. Watson & Co. 
and continuing in the same has prospeiously 
extended the original interests, and in his present 
relations with the public enjoys the entire confi- 
dence of the community by wiioin he is surrounded. 
Although comparatively a new-comer in the vil- 
lage, our subject is now recognized as an important 
factor in the promotion and development of local 
enterprise. 

Two children, a daughter and scui, have with 
their bright presence cheered the [ileasant home. 
Mr. and Mrs. Oakes occupy a prominent social po- 



sition and are foremost in the good works of their 
locality. Fraternally, our subject is connected 
with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and 
has received tlie highest degree in that ancient and 
honored order. Widcl3' known and highly esteemed 
for his business and social attainments, Mr. Oakes 
is universally respected and possesses the best 
wishes of a host of friends. 




RTHUR L. STURGIS. The agricultural 
interests of Muskegon County have a 
worthy' and honorable representative in 
the gentleman above named, who for a 
number of years has been successfully engaged in 
farming and stock-raising on section 30, Eggleston 
Township. As an agriculturist he has made of his 
chosen occupation a science, to the study of which 
he has given his close attention, gaining in return 
a thorough knowledge of every department of 
farm work. In the rotation of crops and fertili- 
zation of the soil, he exercises excellent judgment, 
and thus every acre of the land is made to pro- 
duce the very best results. 

Born in Romeo, Mich., June 9, 1854, our subject 
is the son of Judson T. and Fannie (Harris) Stur- 
gis, natives of the State of New York. His father 
was a harness-maker by occupation, and during 
the opening year of the Civil War enlisted in the 
Union army and for four years fought valiantly 
in the defense of our country's cause. His chil- 
dren are justly proud of his brave .and loyal serv- 
ice, and in the annals of our nation his name is 
recorded as one of the heroes of the long and 
bloody conflict. At the close of the war, when 
peace once more reigned throughout this country, 
he returned to the old home in Muskegon County, 
Mich. 

Upon locating in Muskegon County in the fall of 
18(i5, Judson T. Sturgis embarked in farming pur- 
suits, and was thus engaged for seven years, after 
which he engaged in the harness business for 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



about twelveyi'iiis. <ir until his derilli in \H0O. Our 
subject, before tlie demise of his fallier. succeefk'<i 
to the niaMagemenl of the liarness business, which 
he conflucted until 188'.). lie tiien disposed of liis 
interests in Muskeiron. .md removinsr to K<;£ileston 
Township settled u\^(>^^ the farm he now oeeupies. 
Here he owns one luMxhcd and twenty acres of 
well-ini|)i()ved h\nd. upon whieli he has already 
placed a number of valuable improvements, in- 
cluding a substantial set of buildinsjs. Outside of 
farminix affairs he has fitlier larjre and valuable in- 
terests, and has recently received the contract for 
graveling five miles of county road at ^5,000. 

A very important event in the life of Mr. Stur- 
gis was his marriajje, which occurred on the 'i.'id 
of September, 1881, and united him with Miss 
Alice, dauijliter of .I«jse|ih and Maiy liates. natives 
of New York and Canada, respectively. Mrs. Stur- 
gis was born in 'rrcnlon, Mich., and was there 
reared to womanhood. She is a lady [iossessing 
many noble qualities, which endear her to a large 
circle of acquaintances. Her interests centre in 
her lioiiie. and she has been not only an etiicient 
helpmate, but also a devoted mother to her three 
children, Judson .1., Alvin A. and Mildred. 







RrCK 11. .lACK.SON, Ceneral Manager of 
the lumbering of the West Michigan Lum- 
((:^))ltl ber Company, was born in Johnson Town- 
ship, Trumbull County, Ohio, on the oth 
of April, 1844. The family of which he is an 
honored representative has an established reputa- 
tion for patriotism, energy and loyalty, and our 
subject, by his honorable and successful life, has 
added lustre to the name he bears. His paternal 
grandfather, John \V. Jackson, enlisted in the 
War <jf 1812 as a Drum Major, and subsequently 
was promoted to the rank of Captjiin. After the 
close of the conllict, he resumed farming opera- 
tions in New York, and also engaged in merchan- 
dising. From New York he removed to Ohio, 
where his death occurred. 



An active Democrat in politics, ( uandfalhcr 
Jackson served in a number of township otiices, 
representing his fellow-citizens acee|)tably in what- 
ever position lie was called to occupy. l;i the 
Methodist Episcopal Church he possessed great m- 
tluence, and his counsels were alw.ays judicious and 
acceptable. He was twice married, and by lii^ liist 
union became the father of two chiblren, Herman 
and ICliza A. Of his second marriage three chil- 
dren were born. Ilerinaii 1). .lackson, fatlu'r of 
our subject, was l)orn in New York, and accom- 
panied his (jarents to Ohio, where he learned the 
trade of a saddler. He followed that occupation, 
and also engaged in various other business enter- 
prises, until his death in 18.j7, at the age of forty- 
eight. He had been twice married, his first union 
resulting in the birth of one son, James. He and 
his second wife, whose maiden name was I.ydia 
Chase, were the parents of three children. Marv 
A., Bruce II. and Hector I?. 

The paternal grandfather of our subject wa.s 
David Chase, a contractor and carpenter, who re- 
sides in New Y'ork. Hruce II. was the recijjient 
of common-school advantages in the Huckeyc 
State, and grew to a sturdy manhood well quali- 
fied to till a ])Osition of usefulness in the business 
world. In 18r>I, as a member of Company B, 
Eighty-fourth Ohio Infantiy, he served in West 
Virginia. At the expiration of his term of en- 
listment, he again went to the front, his name be- 
ing enrolled as a member of Companj- F, Sixth 
Ohio Cavalry. He jiarticipated in the engage- 
ments at Gettysburg, Custer, Spott-sylvania, Har- 
don Cross Roads (or Muddy Branch), Danville, the 
battle of the Wilderness, Wilson's raid. Ft. Ste- 
phens, and othereng.agementsof minor importance. 
While at Salisbury- in a not he w.as injured while 
attem|)ting to escape. 

On the .')tli of .\ugust, 18C5, .Mr. Jackson w.is 
honorably discharged at CampCli.ase, and, return- 
ing to his home, soon afterward entered the oil 
regions. In 1866 he went to Newaygo, Mich., 
where for one year he w.as engaged as a stM"e 
driver. In the summer of 1867 he w.as in the em- 
l)loy of Stookey, Hutch <V- Varney, lumbermen, 
and later he engaged in the lumber business for 
himself. For fourteen years he has been Superin- 



456 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



tendent and Geneiul Manager for the Western 
Michigan Lumber Companj-, and meantime has re- 
sided in various places. For six years lie has 
made liis home in Casenovia, of wiiich he is a 
prominent citizen. His landed possessions in- 
clu(le eight}' acres in Casenovia Township, a- 
half-interest in five hundred and twenty acres in 
Moorland Township, Musekegon County, some 
valuable real estate in Casenovia and two hundred 
acres in Newaygo County. 

Socially, Sir. .Tackson affiliates with the Masonic 
fraternity, being a member of the Chapter. Po- 
litically a Republican, his first Presidential ballot 
was cast for Gen. Grant, and he lias ever since up- 
held the principles of tiiat party. October 5, 1867, 
he married Miss Emogene, daughter of Uavid and 
Lucy (Blodgett) Bell, and they became the parents 
of three ciiildren: Maud V., who died at the age of 
eleven years; Mamie B. and AVard G. The chil- 
dren have been the recipients of excellent educa- 
tional advantages, and the son was graduated 
from the Valley City Commercial College in 1891. 



>< 



.AYII) E. C.\LIFF. There are fevv more re- 
spected farmers of Muskegon County than 
our subject, whose home is on section 13, 
Fruitland Township. He is one of the earl}' set- 
tlers of this State, to which he emigrated in 1858 
and a year later located in the pine woods on his 
present farm. Here he entered one hundred and 
sixty acres from the Government, and has made all 
the improvements upon the place himself. It was 
formerl}' heavily timbered, but the owner has cut 
down and sold most of the lumber on the place. It 
is now a well-developed farm, fertile and rich. 

Tiie parents of our subject were .Jonathan and 
Polly (Chamberlain) Califf. The father of the 
former, Stephen Califf, was born in one of the New 
England States and followed agricultural jiursuits. 
He had learned the cooper's trade and engaged in 
that business during the winters. About the year 



1814, he emigrated Westward to Pennsylvania, set- 
tling in Bradford County and becoming the owner 
of a good farm, upon which he remained until his 
death in 1840, at the age of seventy-five years. His 
ballot was ever cast in favor of the Democratic 
party, and, religiously, he w.as a member of the Bap- 
tist Church. Jonathan Califf was born and reared in 
Vermont and there received as good an education 
as could be received at that early day. Of his 
father he learned the cooper's trade, which he fol- 
lowed more or less during his life. He was also a 
good general farmer in Pennsylvania, to which 
State he removed with his parents when about 
twenty years of age. He was one of a family of 
twelve children. In Bradford County was cele- 
brated his marriage with Miss Chamberlain, and six 
children came to bless their union. Of these our 
subject is the second in order of birth and the 
others are as follows: Linas A., deceased; O. W.; 
Lucy, deceased; Irena A., wife of .Jonathan King; 
and Samuel. The mother of these children was a 
devoted member of the Baptist Church, and was 
called from the shores of time in 1836. Jonathan 
Califf married for his second wife Miss Cynthia 
Orton. He was Captain of a company during 
the muster days. In early life, he affiliated with 
the Democratic part}-, but afterward became a sup- 
porter of the Whig party. His death occurred in 
the ICeystone State. 

The birth of David E. Califf occurred in Brad- 
ford County, Pa., in 1825. He received a fair edu- 
cation in the schools of the neighborhood and was 
early inured to farm life. He remained with his 
parents until reaching his twenty-first year, when 
he purchased a piece of wild land on which he lived 
for several ^-ears, during which time he greatly 
improved the property. Believing that he could 
better his prospects by removing to a newer State, 
he came to Michigan in 1858, since which time he 
has been a prominent factor in her development 
and prosperity. As stated at the beginning of this 
sketch, it has been nearly thirty-five years since his 
settlement on his present farm, and during this 
period he has always been actively interested in the 
welfare of this region. Recognizing his ability, 
his neighbors have frequently called upon him to 
hold res])onsible local positions, and among others 



1»CJRTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



457 



ho has been Townsliip Tieasuier. In politics, lie 
supports tlie Rcpuhlican nominees and principles. 
In religious belief, lie is a Methodist and has for 
man\- years been a worker in the church. 

Before Icavinjr Pennsylvania, the marriage of 
David E. Califf and Miss Harriett Knickerbocker 
was celebrated. Her parents were Alvin and I>u- 
cinda (Kelly) Knickerbocker, both of whom were 
natives of the Empire State. Of the nine children, 
who graced the union of our subject and his wife, 
two died in chilhood, while the record of those sur- 
viving is as follows: Charles E. wedded Emma 
Evens; Frank took for his wife Miss Mary Poison; 
Adclbert married Ida Gage, Emma is the wife of Al- 
bert .linkins; and Ernest R. married Nellie McMil- 
lon. Ella, now deceased, was the wife of B. Scolds; 
and James, deceased, married Elizabeth Sack. The 
devoted wife and nK>ther of these children departed 
this life in 1890. Two of the sons, Cliarles and 
Frank, served with credit in the War of the Rebel- 
lion. The former w.as in the infantry service, while 
the latter belonged to the department of artillery. 
Though they took part in a number of engagements 
they were fortunate in escaping without injury-. 
Mr. Califf and his family- are deservedly honored 
and respected in this count}'. 



-^). 



€h^ 



\i^;RANK M. SPRAGUE, a lumber dealer of 
—^fe; Grand Haven, well deserves representa- 
_j5, tion in this volume, for he is a leading 

business man of the city and h.as been prominent 
in all public affairs that tend to promote the growth 
and upbuilding of the community. His life rec- 
ord is as follows: A native of the Empire State, 
he was born in Jefferson County on the 2d of 
April, 1838. He comes of an old family of New 
York, but the Spragues were originally from 
Wales and settled in New England during Colo- 
nial d.ays. The grandfather of our subject, Horatio 
Sprague, spent his entire life in the Empire State. 
The father. Lonson G. Sprague, was there born, and 
having arrived at mature 3'ears he wedded Mary 



Warner. Her death occurred in 18G3, and he de- 
parted this life in .lefferson County in 1875, at an 
advanced age. 

The gentleman whose name heads this record is 
the eldest in a family of ten children. He was 
reared to habits of industry and usefulness, and 
as the result became a self-reliant and enterprising 
man. His own education being completed, he en- 
gaged in educating others, being a school teacher 
for some time. He had come to the West 
when only fifteen years of age, and while still a 
youth shipped before the n),ist on the vessel, -M. 
I L. Collins," which sailed from Toledo, Ohio. He 
was on the Great Lakes for sixteen years, and by 
meritorious conduct won promotion and advanced 
step by step until he became captain of a vessel. 
During the winter season, when it was impossible 
to sail on the Lakes, he would go to New Ytirk 
and sail on the Atlantic, until the arrival of an- 
i other spring would make navigation on the Lakes 
again i)ossible, when he would return. He con- 
tinued sailing on the inland seas until 1872. 

In 18G0, Mr. Sprague was united in marriage 
with Miss Martha J. Wilder, of Oswego County, 
N. Y., who after eighteen years of manned life 
died leaving two children, daughters, Frances M. 
and Berdella. In 1881, Mr. Spr.aguc was again 
married, his second union being with Miss Mari- 
etta Ilutson, of Grand Haven. They have a 
pleasant home at the corner of Third and Colum- 
bia Streets, and its hospitable doors are ever open 
for the reception of their many friends. 

When Mr. Sprague left the Lakes he began ship- 
carpentering .and later engaged in the millwright 
business. In 1874, he began handling and in- 
specting lumber. He is a splendid judge of both 
1 hard and soft woods and can therefore buy lum- 
j ber to good advantage. He is now conducting 
a thriving lumber trade on his own account, which 
I vields him anexcellentincoine. His success is larsie- 
' ly due to his enterprise and industry and able man- 
' agement, as well .as to his knowledge of the quali- 
i ties of lumber. In politics, Mr. Sprague is inde- 
pendent. Socially, he is connected with Highland 
Tent No. 20.J, K. O. T. M.,and is a member of Ot- 
tawa Lodge No. 4G, I. O. O. F. He is a ple.asant, 
genial gentleman, whose cordial and gentlemanly 



458 



PORTRAIT AKD lilOGEAIHICAL RECORD. 



manner has made liimverv popular and won him 
a host of friends, not only in tliis cominuuity, but 
wherever business or social interests have taken 
him. 



' • r S^l 



H' 



0) 



ly^ 



^ji^NOS PAEKISH. Of the many prominent 
1^ farmers and old settlers of Ottawa County^ 
/*' — ^ Mich., Mr. Parrish is well worth3' of men- 
tion, for he has resided in this section nearly ail 
his life, and has ever had its interests at heart. A 
product of the Empire State, born -Tuly 26, 1827, 
he is the youngest child living of seven born to 
Eli and Elizabetli (Lathrop) Parrish, natives of 
Maryland. This worthy couple were married in 
their native State, but subsequently moved to 
New York, where they remained until 1836, and 
then came to Michigan, settling in Wayne County. 
Tiiere thej* were among the very first settlers, and 
IMr. Parrish followed farming there until 1800, 
when he came to Polkton Township, Ottawa Coun- 
ty, and was again among the pioneers. His wife 
had passed away in Wayne County in 184-4, but 
Mr. Parrish 's death occurred in Ottawa Count3-, 
after a long and useful career. The seven chil- 
dren born to them were as follows: Atridge, de- 
ceased, who was the wife of John Stevison; Orin, 
deceased, who was a soldier in the Rebellion, and 
died at Nashville in 1864; Edna, widow of Anson 
Hinman; Joel, deceased, who served in tlie war with 
Mexico in 1816, and died in the Lone Star State; 
Amos, deceased, who was in the Rebellion; Elsie, 
wife of John Dolittle; and Enos, our subject. 

The last-named grew to manhood in the newly 
settled sections of Michigan, and as a consequence 
received only a limited education. When twenty' 
years of age he was filled with a i)atriotic desire to 
aid tiie Old Fl.ag,and he joined Company K, Third 
Regiment United States Dragoons (cavalry), and 
fought in the war with Mexico in 1846, participat- 
ing in all the principal engagements down to the 
capture of the city of Mexico, in which he took 
part. He was with Gen. Kearny when he made the 
charge on the city gates, and was one of the first 



to approach the gates. Here the United States 
dragoons were repulsed and Gen. Kearny got his 
arm broken. After tlie capture of the city Mr. 
Parrish was only in a few skirmishes with guer- 
rillas. In the spring of 1848 he left Mexico 
for iiome. via New Orleans and St. Louis, and 
was discharged at Jefferson Barracks, at the last- 
named cit3'. Reaching home in August, he worked 
by the month in Wayne and other counties of 
Michigan, but finally settled in Polktcm Town- 
ship, C)ttavva County, where he had located his 
land warrant, received for services during the 
Mexican War. 

He had opened up and improved his farm in a 
great many ways at the breaking out of the 
Rebellion, and in the month of December, 1863, 
he joined (Jompan}- E, of the First Michigan Light 
Artillerj', which was attached to the Army of the 
Cumberland, but participated only in the battle 
of Nashville, and a few skirmishes. He was 
neither wounded nor captured during the Mexi- 
can and the Civil Wars, although he was under fire 
in this country and Mexico fifty -or more times. 
On the 31st of July, 1865, he was discharged at 
Jackson, Mich. After coming home he continued 
to reside in Polkton Township until 1868, when 
he moved onto his present farm, consisting of 
two hundred and forty acres. It was unimproved, 
and to clear it of the heav.y timber with which it 
was covered he engaged in lumbering. He now 
owns only one hundred acres, hut he has sixty 
acres of this under a tine state of cultivation. He 
has served as Highway Commissioner for six .years, 
and has held other positions in the township. 

Mr. Parrish was first married in 1852, to Miss 
Valeria Wait, a native of Michigan, and daughter 
of Joseph and Mary A. (Weeden) Wait, both 
originally from the Empire State. To Mr. and 
Mrs. Parrish were born two children: D. W., who 
lives in Allendale; and Fredorc in this county. Airs. 
Parrish died in 1856. Two years later Mr. Parrish 
was married to Miss Harriett Mazuzan, a native of 
Vermont, and a daughter of Erastus and Amy 
(Mead) Mazuzan, of French and English extrac- 
tion respectively. Five children were born to 
Mr. and Mrs. Mazuzan and named in the order of 
their births as follows: Cclia, John (deceased). 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



459 



Harriett, and Julia and Jiilietle, defeased. Mrs. 
Parrish was about seven years of age when her 
mother died, and her father afterwards married 
Miss Betsey .V. Bailey, who liore him three child- 
ren, Mary, Pauhis and William. After his mar- 
riage Jlr. Mazu/.an located in the State of New- 
York, and there passed the remainder of his days. 
To Mr. and Mrs. Parrish were born live children, 
as follows: Artema, deceased; John A., who resides 
in this county; Ilaltie, wife of Martin H. Brown, 
who resides at Battle Creek, Mich.; Valeria M., 
deceased; and Orin L., who resides in this count}'. 
Mr. Parrish commenced life poor, and is an ex- 
an)|ile of what can be accomplished by ambitious 
and intelligent young men, whose only fortune at 
first consists of good health, energj', integrity and 
oneness of purpose. lie has always been one of 
the prominent men of the county, and one of the 
highly respected pioneers. He experienced all the 
trials and hardships of pioneer life, as when he set- 
tled here the nearest store was at Lamont, and 
only carried a few dollars' worth of goods, and 
the nearest mill, a water mill, was at Berlin. Mr. 
Parrish is a member of William Tluirkettlc Post, 
G.A. R., at Allendale Centre, of which he is Quar- 
termaster. Politically, he is a member of the 
Farmers' party, or Populist. Mrs. Parrish is a 
member of the .Seventh-Day Ad vcntist Church, and 
two of the children, Mrs. Brown and John, are 
members of the same. 



W)ILLIAM CROCKETT, a highly respected 
citizen and representative general agricul- 
turist and stock-raiser, pleasantly located 
on section 1 1, llolton Township, Muskegon Coun- 
ty, has for twenty-live years been intimately as- 
sociated with the upward growtli and rapid ad- 
vancement of the vital interests and iinprove- 
inents of his neighborhood and immediate vicinity. 
Our subject, a native of Canada and born in the 
Province of Nova Scotia in lH-45, was the sou of 



' George and .Mary (Hatch) Crockett. The father, 
who was born in the same part of Canada as 
his son William, was a farmer by occupation and 
remained with his parents until their death. The 
father and mother surviving and hale and hearty 
have passed their lives among the familiar scenes 
of early days, and are still residing upon the old 
farm once owned by the gramlfalher. The parents, 

' both members of the Presbyterian Church, have 
ever been eainest workers in behalf of the exten- 
sion of religious inlluence and usefulness, and in 
the community where they have spent so many 
peaceful and industrious years they are universally 
respected and esteemed. 

Four children, two daughters and two sons, 
brightened the old Canadian homestead. William 

I was the eldest-born; Mary is deceased; Charles 
makes his home in Lowell, Mass. Jane married Mil- 
low Mansfield, of Oceana County, Mich. Our sub- 
ject received his education in the district schools 
of Canada, and, trained to habits of manly self- 
reliance, at the age of fifteen years began life for 
himself. Leaving home, he worked for a few j-ears 
upon a neighboring farm, and later received at 
better remuneration em|)loyinent in a stone- 
quarry, engaging in the labor of that occupation 
for three years. At the expiration of this length 
of time Mr. Crockett set out in earnest to seek liis 
fortune, and journeying to the Gulf of St. Lawrence 
embarked as a sailor upon a long and extended 
voyage to Liverpool, Cuba and New York City, 
from which latter place he returned home satisfied 
■with his one salt-water experience. Not long 
after Mr. Crockett, determined to win his upward 
way, finally decided to remove to the States and 
emigrated to Michigan, which since 18f!() iias been 
his permanent home. 

Locating in Muskegon Comity, our siiiijecl has 
continuously resided since then in the near vicin- 
ity of his present home. At first accepting any 
work which his hands could find to do, Mr. Crockett 
labored in the luinlier camps, handled lumber on 

j the docks, worked on a farm and boated on the 
river. Toiling with unce.'ising industry, our sub- 
ject with frugal management at last ai'cumulaled 
a small capital, and in 1876 bought eighty acres 
of wild land. Seventy acres since brought under 



460 



POKTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



a, high slate of cultivation annually- yield an abun- 
dant harvest, and engaging in mixed farming Mr. 
Crockett has achieved success. Our subject was 
married in Muskegon County in 1880 to Miss Ida 
Gallup, daughter of John and Susan (Earl) Gallup, 
pioneer residents of Ingham Count3', Mich., in 
which locality both Mrs. Crockett and her mother 
were born, reared and educated. Mr. Gallup is a 
native of New York State, but long a citizen of the 
West, has taken an active part in its advancement. 
The union of our subject and his accomplished 
wife has been blessed by the birth of one son. 
Earl. Mr. Crockett is politicall3' a Republican, but 
has never been an office-seeker, although deeply 
interested in both local and national issues. Fi- 
nancially prospered, he is ever ready to aid in mat- 
ters of public welfare, and is numbered among the 
substantial citizens of Ilolton Township. 



^Si^t^-t -»k. 



? I I I < II « ^ 



lr^>OBERT ROBINSON was born in Ilempsey, 
^v Scotland, May 7, 1830, and is the son of 
>\V Henry and Mary (Woodrow) Robinson, 
5j0 natives of Scotland, the former of Inver- 
ness, and the latter of Dumfries. The father was 
a blacksmith by occupation, having learned his 
trade in Glasgow. He remained in the employ 
of one firm at Liverpool for man}' years, or until 
his death, in 1837. The death of the mother oc- 
curred about fourteen months latei'. 

Of the six children in the parental family, our 
subject is among the youngest and is the only sur- 
viving member of the famil}-. Being deprived of 
his parents early in life, he had few educational 
advantages, and when ten years of age entered the 
employ of Tom Newgent, with whom he remained 
about six months. He would not consent to be 
bound out as an apprentice according to the 
wishes of his employer, but engaged to work lor 
James Gardner, a baker, with whom he remained 
for about nine months, then worked for a Mr. 
Graham as a sorter of ccitton. At this he was em- 
ployed for about three months, then worked for 



Samuel Gardner, a brother of his former employer, 
a siiip-store dealer, continuing in this employment 
until eighteen years age, when he set sail from the 
shores of his native country for America. Landing 
in New York, his intention was to learn the ship- 
carpenter's tradeand he commenced work immedi- 
ately for Stack (t Patterson, sliii)-builders of 
Brookl^'n. He soon became dissatisfied with this 
work, and having some money saved from his 
previous earnings he concluded to try his fortune 
farther West, and accordingly came to Oakland 
Count}', Mich., afterward going to Saginaw County, 
when he engaged witli James Frazier, a lumlierman, 
and remained with him about two 3'ears, or until 
18.'J2, when he came to JIuskegon and worked as 
a sawyer with Isaac and Elias Merrill. Continuing 
four years in their employ, in 1856 he came to Cas- 
eiiovia Township and took charge of Whitney 
Bros.' Mill. In the mean time he had been looking 
over the country in Moorland Township with a 
view to making this his permanent home, and in 
1858 i)urchased from the State of Michigan one 
hundred and twentj' acres of the farm he now oc- 
cupies, to which he added eight}' acres a few years 
later. 

Mr. Robinson became a citizen of the United 
States in 1856, and was married in 1857 to Miss 
Anna K. Hoffman, daughter of Felix and Laura 
Hoffman, the former a native of France and the 
latter of Germany. They emigrated to America 
and settled in Ohio, and afterward removed by 
team to Michigan and settled in Kent County. Mrs. 
Robinson's uncle, Henry Hoffman, was one of the 
first settlers of Kent Count}-. Our subject and 
wife have five children, all living: Francis Henry, 
born November 11,1858; Adelaide, October 6, 
1860; Ellen, September 8, 1865; Elizabeth, Au- 
gust 8, 1871, and Katharine, Marcii 11, 1876. 

Mr. Robinson has been Township Cleik for 
seven years, School Inspector a number of terras. 
Supervisor twelve years, and was a member of the 
House of Representatives of this State, and was 
on the Board of Review for two years. He has 
always voted the Republican ticket. In religious 
belief he is a Universulist. Mr. Robinson offered 
his services to his counti}' at the commence- 
ment of the Civil War, but was not accepted by 



PORTRAIT AN'I) mOGRAPUlCAL RKC'OIJD. 



IC.-i 



reason of disability. He is now in his sixty- 
fourlli year, and after many years of useful lahor 
he contemplates retiring from the farm and the 
more active duties of life. 







S5~ 



i)II()MAS .SOMER.SKT, a vcteian of the Civil 
War, and a prominent fruit and yrain 
farmer of Crocker3' Township, Ottawa 
County, was born in .Sandusky County, Ohio. Aug- 
ust 16, 1841. He is the son of Charles .Somerset, a 
native of Flngland, who in early life emigrated to 
America, seeking in this land the fortune he 
believed it impossible to secure in the country of 
his birth. In New York he met and married Miss 
Catherine Kelly, a native of Ireland, and of 
Scotch-Irish descent. 

From New York Mr. Somerset, Sr., removed to 
Ohio, and afterward went to Wisconsin, sojourn- 
ing for a time in Milwaukee. In 1848 he came to 
Grand Haven, becoming one of the first settlers of 
this place. Throughout his entire active life he 
followed the calling of a farmer, in which he met 
with success. His death occurred iu Spring Lake 
Township, at the age of sixty-seven years; his 
wife passed away in the same township v,lien 
sixty-six years old. Their son, Tlionia.-*, accom- 
panied them from Ohio to Wisconsin, and thence 
to Michigan, remaining with them until lie was 
Iwenty-six. 

On tlie I3lh nf May, 18G1, the subject of this 
sketch enlisted in the defense of the Old Klag, 
becoming a member of Company I. Third .Miciii- 
gan Infantry, and serving until .June. JXGI. 
Among the engagements in whicli he partici- 
pated with liis regiment were the liist battle 
of Ihill Run, Chancellorsvilie. P'lcdericksburg, 
Gellysbuig, and he alxi Iciok pail in a number 
of others. After the lialtle <if W'illianisbiiri; he 
was sent to the hospital at Vorktown, where he 
I'cmained for one week, L;oing Irnm there to 
Portsmouth, where he sojonrned lor two months. 
lie rejoined his eompany in lime to participate iu 
23 



the second battle of linll Run. On Hie d.-iy 
following the battle of Cold Harbor he was dis- 
charged at Detroit, and returned to Ottawa 
County, where he resumed farming operations. 

The marriage of Mr. Somerset occurred October 
24, 1867, and united him with Miss Catherine C. 
Miles, who was born in the State of New York, 
and died February 3, 189.J, leaving four children, 
who, with her husband, mourn her loss. They are, 
Louise Klizabcth, Alice Mabel, Ada Corinthia and 
Georgia Fleanor. Two children, .lohnnie T. and 
Ettie May, are deceased. In religious matters, 
Mrs. Somerset was in her girlhood a member of 
the Congregational Cliurch, but for fourteen 
years prior to her demise she was identified with 
the Jlothodist Episcopal C^hurch. The father and 
mother of our subject were members of the Epis- 
copal and Catholic Churches respectively; he is 
liberal in his religious views, and generous in his 
contributions to the various church and beni.-volent 
enterprises. 

The farm owned and cultivated by Mv. Somer- 
set consists of three hundred and twenty acres and 
is located seven miles southeast of Grand Haven, 
on the banks of Grand River. Since the time of 
purcliasing the property, in 1864, Mr. Somerset 
has effected a ininilier of viiiualiie improvements 
upon the place, and tiius materially enhanced its 
estimated worth. In his social atliliations, he is a 
member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, 
being identified with Spring Lake Lodge; he has 
also taken the first degree in Masonry. His first 
Presidential ballot w.as cast for Gen. McClellan, 
and he has since given his support to the Democ- 
racy. 



h^ A IMI .\ \' A .\ 1 )( )( »R N K, a prosperous gcn- 
I l\\ *^'"' agriculliirist and horticulturist of 
J 1* Ottawa County, Mich., also actively par- 
* ticipates in the nianagcmeiil of local piili- 

lic affairs .•ind has as a member of the lioard of 
Review and likewise as Township Tre.-isurer given 
eflicieut service to the home eominnnil\. 1)\ whom 



464 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



he is respected and higlily esteemed. Mr. Van 
Dooine was born in Grand Island, N. Y., and re- 
mained in liis birthplace until three years of age. 
With his parents our subject then journeyed to 
the farther West and located in Grand Haven, 
where tlie famil}' onl}' made their temporary home, 
at the expiration of six months removing to a 
farm about four miles south of the city. Mr. Van 
Doorne, reared upon the old homestead, passed his 
life as does the average farmer boy, always busy 
assisting In tlie dail\' loutine of farming labor and 
attending when he could be spared the nearest 
district school. After attaining to manhood, he 
left the farm, and for eight years continuously en- 
gaged in the sawmill business and also devoted a 
portion of his time to liis trade of carpenter, in 
this latter occupation finding ready and profitable 
employment. 

Our subject finally returned to the old home- 
stead, of which lie is now the owner. In addition 
to the sixty original acres Mr. Van Doorne owns 
an undivided half in the eighty acres which join 
the sixt}- on the northwest corner. A thoroughly 
practical farmer, he has made a financial success 
of the tilling of the soil, and aside from the pur- 
suit of general agriculture gives much attention 
of fruit-growing and raises large quantities of 
celery. Mr. Van Doorne also handles agricultural 
implements, and with energetic enterprise has won 
his upward way to a position of influence and use- 
fulness. In 1873 our subject was united in mar- 
riage with Miss Elizabeth IJallgoyen, a native of 
the Netherlands, who passed the early years of her 
" life in the west of Europe, where she received her 
primaiy education and remained until thirteen 
years of age. Her parents, also born, reared and 
educated in the Netherlands, finally emigrated 
with their family to America and located in Grand 
Haven. The pleasant home of our subject and his 
excellent wife has been blessed by the biitii of 
four children, one son and tiiree daughters: Maria, 
Minnie, Martin, .Ir.. and .loannette. 

Maria, the eldest, regularly attended the schools 
of the lu'igliborliuod, and, completing the studies 
of the gram mar ciiursc at the age of fifteen, then 
eiiteicd lk>pe College in Holland, Mich., and 
took a two-years course, finally completing her 



education with a two-years Normal course in the 
same institution, and is now a successful teacher. 
The son and the other daughters are enjoj-ing the 
available opportunities of instruction near their 
home, and, intelligently devoting themselves to 
study, have a bright future before them. Politi- 
cally, Mr. Van Doorne is an adherent of the 
Democratic part^', and for the two years in which 
as Township Treasurer he disbursed the public 
funds, and as a valued member of the Board of 
Review, materially aided in the advancement of 
needed improvements and encouraged and stimu- 
lated the growth of enterprise. Our subject is not 
a member of any secret societ}', but is connected 
by membership with the Reformed Church at 
Grand Haven and is liberal in tiie support and ex- 
tension of religious influence and accounted by all 
who know him a man of high principle and an ef- 
ficient and pulilic-spirited citizen. 



r^ 



fe=*»'t^ 



^^ 



^ OHN ROOKS, an enterprising general agri- 
culturist and leading citizen, pleasantly 
located upon section 36, Holland Town- 
ship, Ottawa County, Mich., is a native of 
the Netherlands, .and was born in Wenterswick in 
1837. His parents, Gerrit and Catherine (Hesse- 
link) Rooks, also born in the Netherlands, were of 
a thrifty and industrious ancestiy, highly re- 
sjiected among the people where their uneventful 
and u])riglit lives were passed. The father wiis 
liorn not far from Wenterswick, in the year 1802, 
the year of his wife's birth being 1809. A farmer 
by occupation, he tilled the fertile soil of his early 
home and also worked as a woodsaw\er. His 
parents were pt>or, and when only a boy he began 
the work of life, receiving but a limited education 
in the common schools of his birthplace. He was 
not the [lossessor of landed i)roperty, but in the Old 
Country rented land. The sons and daughters of 
the father, ten in immfier, were all born in the 
Netherlands. I'.y a first marriage the father had 
two children, Henry and Hannah, both deceased. 



PORTRAIT AM> JJIUGRAPHICAL RKCORD. 



465 



After tlie dealli of the first wife, marrvinir tlie 
mother of our subject, tlie father i<-atliered about 
him the large family who later accompanied him 
to the United States. 

Uf the eight sons and daughters of the >econd 
marriage, the eldest died j-oung, and Albert, 
I.ydia and .John are also deceased; the others are 
Minnie,(;ertrudo, John and Oerrit. In IHo;"), with 
all the family except the daughter I.ydia. the father 
and mother emigrated to .\nieiica, and after leav- 
ing the seaboard had just money enough to get to 
Michigan, where they at once located upon a 
forty-acre farm, purchased by the father. Tlien an 
old man, he cleared off the dense woods of the 
homestead, ably assisted by his sturdy sons, who 
lent a willing hand in the improvement of the 
home to which the^- had looked forward for so 
long. The father, a pious man and devout mem- 
ber of the Keformed Church, survived his journey 
to the United Slates only about eight years. 

John Rooks liad hired out in the Old Countr}', 
and soon after arriving in Michigan began for him- 
self b}' working on farms and in mills; and, care- 
fully hoarding up ever3' dollar while engaged in 
laboring for others, he was finally enabled to pur- 
chase the fort3'-eight acres where he now lives. 
This, mostly wild land, he cleared, cultivated and 
improved, and, prospering through self-reliant in- 
dustry-, added other acres, now owning one hundred 
and twenty-eight acres, upon which stand excel- 
lent and commodious barns and a comfortal)lc and 
attractive residence. 

When twenty-eight 3-ears of age our subject was 
united in marriage with Miss Clara Mulder, 
daughter of William and Kilie (Skipper) Mulder. 
Mrs. Rooks, a most estimal)le lady, was born in the 
Netherlands in 1844, and was only three years 
of age when with her parents she emigrated to 
America and made her home in Holland. Eleven 
sons and daughters have blessed the union of Mr. 
and Mrs. Hooks. Four died in infancy. The 
surviving arc: William. (m'itiI. Allicrt, I'cter, 
Herman, Leonard .-ind John, the last two now 
attending Hope College. Albert is a fine sliident 
and graduated with honor from lli(pt' College, 
(lerrit graduated in book-kicping fLoni the business 
college at (irand Uapids. William is altcnding a 



veterinary school in Canada. Our subject and his 
worthy wife are valued membeis of the Seceder 
Chuix-h, and have shown themselves friends to 
educational advancement by giving to their chil- 
dren every possible opportunity to improve them- 
selves and thus prepare to occupy with honor >anv 
work, public or private, to which they may be 
called. Politically a Kepublican. Mr. Kooks is 
interested in both local and national issues and in- 
telligently posted in ail matters tending to the 
promotion of welfare, and does his full <luty as a 
true and liberal-spirited citizen. 



,,.r UGLST .M. C()S(!1{0\E, the cllicieiil Su- 
(.@/yl perintendent of the Grand Haven water 
(li works, was born in Ashland, .\shland 
County, Ohio, February 15, I8.J0. He is a 
son of Stephen C. and Hannah (Hiler) Cosgrove, the 
former of whom was a native of New Jersey- and 
the latter of New York. Stephen C. Cosgrove was 
a broom-maker by trade, but during the latter part 
of his life successfully followed the occupation 
of farming. On the 17th of February, 1877, he 
died in Crawford County, Ohio, when in the sev- 
enth-first year of his age. His widow survived 
him until September, 1891, when she passed away 
in Crawford County, Ohio. The paternal grand- 
father was William Cosgrove. 

August M. Co.sgrovu spent his early life on the 
home farm in Ohio, where he received such in- 
struction .as the locality afforded, entering school 
at the age of six years. A knowledge of books, 
however, is not ahva^-s an education, and in the 
school of experience one \\\^y ac<|uire a much 
more practical knowledge than he can in the 
colleges and seminaries, however good the latter 
m.ay be; and thus it was with Mr. Cosgrove, for 
all his practical ac(piireinents have been gained 
since he started out to fight the battle of life for 
himself. He .secured employment in Ihe steam- 
eiij;ine works at llucyrus. Ohio, but in 1878 left 



466 



PORTRAIT AXD BlOGRAPmCAL RECORD. 



that place to remove to Adrian, Mich. While 
employed in the Adrian water works, he acquired a 
knowledge of the details of the business which 
eminently fitted him for the snccessfiil discharge 
of the duties of his present position. After re- 
siding in Adrian for eight years, he went to Rich- 
mond, and was in the employ of a [)roniinent firm 
there for about one ^ear. 

In the fall of 1885. our subject came to Grand 
Haven, and was appointed Superintendent of the 
Grand Haven water works, which position lie is 
ver^- acceptably filling at the present time. As a 
citizen, he is prompt and liberal in responding to 
the demands of the public, when the common 
good is brought into question, and he is at all 
times willing to bear his proportion of the bur- 
dens of expenditure and labor needed in attain- 
ing the highest material success. He is now in 
the prime of life, with vigorous constitution, good 
habits and lofty [)rinciples. 

November 28, 1878, Mr. Cosgrove was united 
in marriage with Miss Sarah Ann Smith, of .Tasper. 
Mich., daughter of Frank J. Smith, and to their 
union two children have been given, a sou and a 
daughter. Mr. and Mrs. Cosgrove are popular in 
the social circles of Grand Haven, and although 
they have not resided in the place an3' great length 
of time, they iiave made many friends, whom it 
is their [jleasure to welcome to their comfortable 
and hospitable home on Franklin Street. Socially, 
Mr. Cosgrove is a member of the order of the Mac- 
cabees. 



"4" •*••?• "J*^ 



E 



J. .\l"BRY, master painter and decorator 
of the Chicago Si West Michigan Rail- 
road shops, at Muskegon, Mich., has been a 
continuous resident of his present locality' for 
about eleven years, and during this length of time 
h.as given faithful service to the corporation by 
which he is now emi)loycd. Our siiljject is a na- 
tive of Canada, .ind was born in the i)<iniini(in 
February 2,18,03. The parents, . I. W. and Margaret 
(Smith) Aubry, many years after their marriage re- 



moved to the United States and. locating in Wor- 
cester, Mass., lived tiiere a few months and then re- 
turned to their home in Canada. They were known 
in New England as industrious and energetic peo- 
ple, of upright character and sterling integrity. 
Mr. .\ubrv passed the days of early childhood and 
\outh in his birthplace, and not only received iiis 
education in the common schools of Canada, but 
up to sixteen years of age was there reared to 
habits of self-reliance. In 1871 he went to St. 
Johnsbury, Vt., and w.as first employed in the 
painting department of the Fairbanks Scale Com- 
pany. In 1877, he entered the employ of the 
P. & O, Railroad Company, of Vermont, at St. 
Johnsbur^'. 

After a time, determining to try his fortunes in 
a newer field of action, our subject in 1882 jour- 
neyed to the West, and, locating permanently in 
Michigan, made his home in Muskegon, where he ac- 
cepted his present responsible position. Mr, Aubiy 
has full charge and entire control of thePaintDe- 
partment of the Chicago it West ^lichigan Railroad 
equipment and attends to repainting and revar- 
nishing the rolling stock. He superintends the 
work of a number of men skilled in the use of the 
brush, all expert mechanics. Our subject aside from 
his regular business has a profession, being a musi- 
cian C)f superior ability and culture. He is the first 
violinist in the Opera House Orchestra and leads 
the same. The orchestra, organized and controlled 
by Mr, Aubry, pl.avs at the most elegant balls of 
the city, also in the opei-.as, and is well .ind favor- 
ably- known throughout western Michigan. 

In 1880 E. ,1, Aubry and Miss Hattie M, .Ma- 
goon, of St, Johnsbury, Vt., and daughter of I. P. 
Magoon, a citizen of the Green Mountain State, 
were married. The union of our subject and his 
estimable wife has been blessed by the l)irtli of 
one son and one daughter: Mar^' Gertrude and 
Herbert M. I). The pleasant family residence is 
located at No. 57 Peck Street, Muskegon. The son 
and daughter enjo_v excellent educational advan- 
tages and as they attain to mature age will be en- 
abled to worthily fit themselves to adt)rii any po- 
sition of trust to whicli they may be called. 

Mr. Auliry is iiolitically a Republican and a firm 
supporter of the party. He lias never'been anxi- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



467 



ous to hold pul)lic office, but is intelligently in- 
terested in local and national government and is 
a friend to progress and reform, lie is fraternally 
as.sociated with Lowell Moore Lodge No. 182, A. V. 
•k A. M., and is likewise a member of the Chapter 
and Commander}'. He is a member of the Master 
Car and Locomotive Painters' Association of the 
United Stales and Canada and, thoroughly at home 
in the details of his business, has prosperously won 
his upward waj', and commands the high respect of 
a wide acquaintance. His musical abilities have 
also long been a source of income and in return 
afford others much pleasure. Combining the 
two occupations, our subject leads a busy life, but, 
true to every duty of the ho\ir, has made each 
profession a success. 



i^^=T 



III Russell B. mason, a leading citizen and 
ii^V P'"'''^'''^*''' general farmer residing upon 
^\ section 23, Holton Township. Muskegon 
^p) County, Mich., is a native of the State, 
and was born in Calhoun County in 1810. t)ur 
subject is the son of Isaac and Esther (Allen) 
Mason, early pioneers of the Wolverine State. 
The paternal grandfather w.is Hrooks Mason, and 
the paternal grandmother in maidenhood was Miss 
Editley. The great-grandfather, also Hrooks Jla- 
son, was the son of Sauijison Mason, an English- 
man by birtii and the first of the family to settle 
in America. Sampson Mason had been an ofllcer 
under Oliver Cromwell before, in 163 0, he Ijccame 
one of the founders of the settlement of Rehoboth 
in M.as&achusetts. His wife, M.ay lUitterwortii, 
bore her husband thirteen children. The great- 
grandfather, Brooks Mason, was a native of Rhode 
Island, but later removed to Massachusetts, and 
in 1770 made his permanent home in Ontario 
County, N. V. He was the father of eleven chil- 
dren. The grandfather fanned in Ontario Coun- 
ty, in which part of the ICinpirc State he settled in 
1801. His wife, the daughter of William Clark, 



became the mother of seven children, four sons and 
three daughters. The grandfather and his eldest 
son actively participated in the War of 1812. A 
life-long farmer, the grandfather lived and died 
in the State of New York. 

The father, born in JIassachusetts November 23, 
1798, removed to New York when ver^' young, 
and, living upon his father's Ontario County farm, 
enjoyed only the most limited opportunities for 
an education. Having attained to manhood, he 
began life for himself and married in the Empire 
State Miss Caroline Hodges. Unto this union was 
born one son, .lames B., killed at Clinch Mountain 
during the late Civil War. The first wife not 
long surviving, the father a second time married, 
then wedding Miss Lucy Baker, who became the 
mother of two sons, Henry and Edwin, who died 
while serving in the Mexican War. Eor a third 
time entering matrimonial bonds, Isaac Mason 
married, while a citizen of New York, the mother 
of our subject, and with his wife soon after emi- 
grated to Calhoun County, Mich., and settling in 
1837 in this part of the West made his permanent 
home within the borders of the State. The par- 
ents first settled upon eighty acres of land, and 
lived thereon a few years, then removing to Kala- 
mazoo, where the mother died, leaving to her hus- 
band the care of seven children. Caroline, the eld- 
est, now deceased, married .Vbel lloag; Mary 
is deceased; Jane became the second wife of 
Abel lloag; Lee A. was the fourth child; (Tcorge, 
a soldier in the Civil War, w.as killed at Marion, 
\'a.; R. B. is our suliject; and Ilairiet married Otis 
Signer. Again the father married, his fourth wife 
being Miss Charlotte Thiers. Isaac Mason w.is a 
devout member of the Baptist Church, and politi- 
cally was an ardent Abolitionist. After a long 
life of usefulness he passed away, mourned by 
many friends in Kalamazoo County, in the year 
18«(!. 

Our subject received his education in the dis- 
trict schools and studied in Hattle Creek. .\t the 
age of seventeen, beginning life for himself, he 
worked on a farm for others until he enlisted, 
August 8. IMOl. then joining Company I, Seventh 
Michigan Infantry. Serving under (Jen.McClel- 
Inn he participated in the battles of Balls BlutT, l-'uir 



468 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Oaks and Glendale, where during the seven days' 
fight lie was wounded in the right shoulder, which 
hurt compelled liira to go to Washington, where 
he received his discharge upon November 19, 1862. 
After his return to Michigan, Mr. Mason was 
elected Treasurer of the township of Comstoek, 
and for many j'ears gave valuable service in that 
official capacit}-. In 1867 Mr. Mason accepted a 
position as night watchman of the State Prison, 
remaining in Jackson until 1871. For about sev- 
enteen succeeding years our subject was engaged 
on the C. H. M. Railroad at White Cloud and 
Holton, and during this time bought his present 
farm of one hundred and five acres, then mostly 
unimproved, but now containing sixty highly 
cultivated acres. While in Jackson, Mr. Ma- 
son was united in marriage with Miss Emma 
Welch, daughter of George and Leah (Badams) 
Welch. Mrs. Mason was born in Jackson County, 
Mich., but her parents were both natives of Eng- 
land. Politically a strong Republican, our sub- 
ject has held the office of Township Clerk, and, ap- 
pointed by Harrison, for over four years efficiently 
handled the mails at Holton. As a friend and 
neighbor and in his public work Mr. Mason has 
won the respect and esteem of a host of friends, 
and has long been intimately associated with the 
progressive interests of his home localilv. 



!^+^e 



""^ 




GRACE A. COOLEY, a representative gen- 
n eral agriculturist, successful stock-raiser 



and Drainage Commissioner of Allendale 
Township, Ottawa County, is :i native of 
Ohio, but has been a resident of the Wolverine 
Slate since 1845, and is intimately associated with 
its upward growth and progressive history. Born 
in Knox County, Ohio, August 2, 182i), he was 
the son of Horatio and Mehetaljel (Crowell) Cooley, 
native New Englandeis, but early settlers in the 
farther AVest. The father, born in Connecticut, 
and the mother in Vermont, migrated to Ohio 
while young, and were nianied in the Ituckeve 



State. The father was by occupation a mechanic, 
and remained in Ohio until his death. His widow 
removed to Michigan in 1847, and survived liini 
for some years. 

The parents were blessed by the birth of nine 
children, seven of whom lived to adult age. Ho- 
ratio, the eldest-born, is deceased; Tryphena is the 
widow of R. S. Randall; Arminta is deceased; 
Horace A. is our subject; Ilavillat is deceased; 
Henry C. is a resident of Ottawa Count}-; and Har- 
riet, who is deceased, was the wife of George Starks. 
Mrs. Mehetabel Cooley again married, and by her 
second husband, Benjamin Bellows, became the 
mother of two children: Sarah, the wife of Sidney 
Starks; and Thomas E., residing in Sparta. Mich. 

Our subject w.as reared on the Ohio homestead, 
and attending the district schools of the neighbor- 
hood was likewise trained in the agricultural 
duties devolving upon the farmer bo}'. He was 
sixteen 3'ears of age when, upon October 28, 1845, 
he arrived at his new home in Tallniadge Town- 
ship, Ottawa County, Mich., and, remaining in that 
locality for thiity-two years, was during twenty- 
eight years of that period employed by various 
milling coiicenis as engineer. For fourteen con- 
secutive years he remained with one firm, his 
faithful discharge- of the work intrusted to his 
care winning for him the aijpreciation of those in- 
terested in the business. When he l)ccame a resi- 
dent of Tallmadge Township the population of 
the surrounding country was sparse, and most of 
the business of that part of the State was trans- 
acted at Grand Hapids, then the headquarters for 
merchandise and all the necessaries of life. The 
milling inteicsls were the mainstay of Tallmadge 
Township, and the establishment of nnnierons 
sawmills soon caused an inlluxof people, and gave 
our subject, with many others, regular and lemun- 
erative emi)loyment. 

In 1861 were united in marri.age Hor.ace A. 
Cooley and Miss Lavilla A. Hall, a native of 
JMichigan and the daughter of Orrin and IVIalilda 
(Reynolds) Hall, |)ioneer settlers of the Wolverine 
State. Some years subsequent to his marriage, 
our subject puiciiased a farm in Allendale Town- 
ship, which he sold in 1877, and later also dis- 
posed of property he owned in the village of La- 



t'ORTRAITAND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



469 



moiit. He afterward boughl his present farin, 
consistinn; of fort}- higlily cultivated atrcs, im- 
proved willi an attractive residence and suljstan- 
tial barns. The pleasant iiome of our subject and 
his estimable wife lias been blessed b^' the birth of 
seven children: Oeorge H.; Carr F., of Duliith; 
II. (irant, Frank C, Cora S.. II. 15. and T. W. F. 
Mr. Coolev is one of the most popular men of the 
county of Ottawa, and has several times been 
elected Drainage Commissioner, and is now hold- 
ing the oHice. For two yeai-s he was Justice of 
the Peace, and in that jiosition gave universal 
satisfaction to his fellow-townsmen, among whom 
he has a host of friends and well-wishers. 



B' 



,H 



\|^REDERICK IIINMAN. for the past nine- 
Is^A teen years the etticii'iil Marshal <>( White- 
l^ hall, for ten years Deputy Sheriff of Mus- 
kegon County, Oil Ins[)ector for a time, and now 
Superintendent of the water works of the village, 
has long been identified with the growth and up- 
ward progress of his home locality in the Stale of 
Michigan. Mr. Ilinman is by nativit}- a New 
Knglander, and was born April 4, 1846, in the 
Stale of Connecticut, close to the Berkshire Mills, 
and not far from the Massachusetts line. Our 
subject was one of twin children, who were the 
fifth addition to the family of Hiram and Hebccca 
(Benson) Ilinman. By a previous marriage the 
father had two children, .loliii and Walter, who 
h(,(th went to Maryland and became prominent 
citizens of the South. .John, now surviving at 
seventy-three years of age, is a wealthy bachelor, 
having made a fortune in the mercantile business. 
Walter likewise achieved a comfortable compe- 
tence handling merchandise and is in the milling 
business on Chesapeake liay, where he now resides. 
Of the own brothers and sisters of Mr. Ilinman, 
Herman lives in Whitehall and is now sixty-five 
j'cars of age. Mary Ann married Charles .McElroy, 
formerly in the furniture business in Wiiitehall. 
She and her husband removed to Mai\ land, where 



she died in 1882. Leonard, the next in order of 
birth, passed away at twenty-three j-ears of .age, 
dying in 18;'>6. Catherine died in 1866, in Troy, 
N. Y., where her husband, Edwin Baxter, was a 
leading merchant and lumberman. The twin sis- 
ter of our subject, Fannie, married Charles .Scott, 
a wagun-niaker of New Ycnk State, near the Con- 
necticut line, where they now reside. The vari- 
ous chihlren of the parents' family all en jo^^ed ex- 
cellent educational advantages, and all taught 
school in their 3'outliful days, being ambitious, en- 
ergetic and enterprising. 

The family is descended from old Revolution- 
ary stock and hold in their veins the best blood of 
New England. The father, born in .*Nalisburv. 
Conn., in February, 1796, was the onl^- surviving 
son of Benjamin Ilinman, a brave soldier of the 
War for Independence, and likewise a native of 
Connecticut, but a descendant of English ancestiy. 
The mother, Rebecca Benson, born in Connecticut 
in 1807, was the daughter of a Revolutionarv 
soldier and a woman of exceptional ability and 
strong character. The father died in 1873, the 
mother surviving only a twelvemonlh. passing 
away in 1874. Frederick Ilinman, having received 
a superior education, was likewise blessed with an 
excellent memory, which he reUiins remarkably, 
being able to ([uolc with exactness pages from 
Shakespere and other favorite authors. 

At fifteen years of age our subject entered the 
iron works at Fall N'illage, Conn., where he re- 
mained for some years, and then located in Trov, 
N. Y., the latter place being his home when the 
Civil War broke out. Returning to Connecticut, 
he enlisted in the old .Second Connecticut Regi- 
ment, and, immediately forwarded to the front, 
participated in the liist battle of Bull Run. He 
scived out his period of enlistment and returned 
to his Eastern lK)ine. In 1H(!,') our subject came 
to Michigan and was employed on a Government 
tug boat as an engineer, making the improvements 
at the mouth of White Lake. Mr. Ilinman assisted 
in the construction of the harbor and continued 
in the service until 1874, when he resigned to be- 
come Marshal and engineer in the lire depart- 
ment of Whitehall, in which former capacity he 
has for nearly- a score of years lieen a terror to the 



470 



i-ORTRAlT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



rougher element of the village airi the evil-doers 
generally. As Depul}' Sheriff, Oil Inspector and 
Superintendent of the water works, he has proven 
his thorough adaptability to the demands of pub- 
lic work. 

In the j-ear 18()8 Mr. Hininan was married to 
Miss Mary Storms, who came from her native land, 
Germany, to this country with her parents when 
only eight years of age. Mr. and Mrs. Ilinman 
have been blessed by the birth of five children: 
Herman, who died in the 3ear 1869, in infancy; 
Cora, born in 1871, a graduate of the High School 
and married in 1890 to Dr. James G. Jackson, of 
Muskegon; Frederick, born in 1874, also a grad- 
uate of the High School, and a promising young 
man; Fannie, aged thirteen, a bright scholar, now in 
school; and Albert, the youngest, a lad eight years 
old. Financially prospered and a lifelong Repub- 
lican, giving most valualile public service and 
ever a liberal-spirited citizen, our subject is also 
fraternally associated with tlie Ancient Free & Ac- 
cepted Masons, and is likewise a member of the 
Knights of Honor. 



C^^HOMAS LARSON, a well-known resident 
f/n^^ of Whitehall, Muskegon County, was for 
^>^y many years engaged in business in this 
place, and at tiie present time owns fully fifteen 
acres of land in the village. His life has been 
quite an eventful one, and since his tenth year he 
has made his own living. lie was born in north- 
western Norway, March 18, 1818. His parents 
were Lars and Malinda (Larson) Larson. The 
former was reared on a farm and owned a valuable 
piece of property, comprising eighty acres. He 
w.as prosperous in business and was highly re- 
garded in all circles. He and his wife were devoted 
members of the Lutheran Church. They reared a 
family of five sons: Lars, Lars, Arclia, Thomas, 
and Daniel, who was drowned when about twenty- 
five years old. Lais is the only one of the family 



beside our subject who has left his native land, 
and his home is now near Ottawa, 111. The par- 
ents of these children have long since been called 
to the better land. 

Thomas Larson was only ten years old when he 
left home and went to work on neighboring farms, 
receiving his board and clothes and 1.5 in money 
per year for the succeeding five years. Tiring of 
this occupation, at length he embarked on sailing 
expeditions to the many beautiful fiords of his 
native land, and finally, when eighteen years of 
age, regularly embarked as a sailor on the high 
seas. For twenty years he followed this life, going 
to all parts of the world and meeting with many 
strange adventures, lie was once shipwrecked 
near his old home and on anothei- occasion was 
washed overboard by a great wave, which, return- 
ing, left him in another part of the ship. At last 
Mr. Larson came to the United Slates and made 
his headquarters in Chicago, from which jilact he 
sailed on the Lakes for five years. 

After carefully deliberating, Mr. Lars(^n con- 
cluded to settle down at Whitehall and invest the 
money, which was the result of his many years of 
toil. He liecame the owner of three houses, and 
afterward bought one hundred and sixty acres of 
land, a portion of which is located within the cor- 
porate limits of the village. For some years he 
ran a saloon, and later embarked in the grocery 
business. His business ventures have been marked 
by sag.acity and ability, and he now has a com- 
petency which places him among the substantial 
citizens of the commiinil}'. 

After taking up his residence in Whitehall, Mr. 
Larson .married Miss (iertie Johnson, who was 
born in Norway and with her parents, James and 
Bei'tha (Nelson) .Johnson, came to the United 
States in July, 18l!;i, and at once settled in this 
city. The parents of Mrs. Larson resided until 
their death in Whitehall. Seven children have been 
born to our woiiliy subject and his wife: Bertha, 
who became the wife of Hans Bjornstad; James 
L.; Hannah M., wife of Charles Kassner; John S.; 
Thomas J.; Minnie H., a graduate of the High 
School; and .Viietta L. The parents are members 
of the Lutheran Church, in the faith o( which all 
of the children have been (•(nilirmcd. Mr. Larson 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



■171 



litis served as a Trustee of the chui-cli :uiil with 
Ills family is iiiimtii'i'cd anionii; tlii' active workers. 
His vaiied experiences in all parts of the world 
have made him a man of wide information and he 
is a most intercstinj; conversationalist. To him 
is largely due the pi'0S[)erity of Whitehall, for he 
has been one of the most active promoters of its 
welfare. 



■ M II p>l^^»- 



? I ' I I < <— »~ 



vipiBDWARD E. I5ARTHOLOMEW. Promi- 
fe] nent among the enterprises at Ravenna is 
Iw — ^ the hardware store of which the subject of 
this sketch is the genial proprietor. It contains a 
large and well-assorted stock of hardware, tin- 
ware, stoves, farmers' tools and agricultural im- 
plements, and .as the quality of the stock is unex- 
celled and prices reasonable, the establishment is 
one of the most popular in the city. In the con- 
duct of his business enterprises Mr. Bartholomew 
uses tact, discretion, sound common-sense and wise 
judgment, and the result is that he has gained 
success. 

In reviewing the histoid' of our suliject, we 
lind that he is the sou of Arza and Isabel (Hunter) 
Bartholomew, the former of whom was born in .Jef- 
ferson County, N. Y., on the Isl of August, 180.5. 
He had only such advantages as were afiforded by 
the public schools of that day, and in his youth 
his attention was devoted principally to working 
at the trade of a carpenter and millwright. Upon 
coming to Michigan in 184.5 he stayed about one 
year in Calhoun County, and then he settled in 
Ottawa County and there worked at his trade for a 
time, but afterward purchased farmintr property 
and engaged in agricultural pursuits until his 
death, which occurred in 1868. 

The family of Arza and Isabel IJartholomew 
consisted of eleven ciiiidroii, of whom cmr subject 
WHS the I'iglilh in uidci- (if birth. He was born in 
OUnwa ('i)Uiity, .Mich., .lanuaiy 21, 1851, and ob- 
tained hi> education in the (•omiiion schools of his 
native county. His time was dcvotrd iniiicip.nlly 



to the work of farming, and he remained with his 
father until the age of Iwcuty-four years, when he 
commenced to learn the trade of a carpenter, serv- 
ing an apprenticeship of live yeai-s. Later he 
entered the store of Perham it Adsil, of Niinica, 
Mich., as clerk, and continued with that firm for a 
period of four yeai-s. He then went to Muskegon 
and worked for one year at his trade, next coming 
to Ravenna, in 1882. 

After locating at this place, Mr. Bartholomew 
was for four years in the employ of Conklin Bros., 
after which he embarked in the gristmill business 
with W. II. Smith. After continuing thus en- 
gaged for three and one-half years, he purchased 
a hardware store and embarked in that business. 
He has since conducted a large and profitable busi- 
ness, not only with the peo|ile of Ravenna, but 
also with the farmers of the surrounding country. 
Socially, he is a member of Ravenna Lodge No. 
355, I. (). (). I-"., and has attained the Scarlet 
degree, and passed all the chairs of the lodge. 
He is afhliated with the Knights of the Macca- 
bees at Ravenna, and is Commander of the post 
here. 

On Christmas Day, 1874, Mr. Bartholomew was 
united in marriage with Miss Ilattie, daughter of 
Robert and Eveline (Hancock) Woolsie, and one 
son has been born of this union, Windsor, a manly 
3'outh, who is receiving every literary and social 
advantage. In his politics Mr. Bartholomew is a 
Republican, and has always voted for the cjindi- 
dates of that party. He has held the ollice of 
Township clerk for five years and is still serving 
in that position. 



3ii-^"j^il^#i#S^-< 



ORACE B. ATWOOD. A glance at the 
ilj lives of the representative men whose 
names appear in this volume will reveal 
many sketches of honored and inllnential 
citizens who liave resided many yeais in this coun- 
ty, but among theiii none are more worthy or de- 
serving of mention than .Mr. Atw I, wiio is a 



4:12 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



true type of a successful' Michigan fanner. He is 
a product of the Buckej^e State, l)orn September 
30, 1840, and the son of Morris and Pliipba A. 
(Archer) Atwood, natives of New York. The 
Atwood family came originally from P^ngland and 
settled in the United States a short time after the 
Revolutionary War. The Archers came from 
Germany. 

Morris Atwood was a blacksmith by trade, and 
after reaching mature 3'ears moved to Ohio. 
Later he returned to his native State, and there 
died in 1872, at the age of sixty-five. His wife 
died in the Empire State in 1891. They were the 
parents of the following children: Horace, our 
subject; Elizabeth, the wife of J. W. Pearson; 
David, deceased, who left a family in New York; 
Ann; Frances, Mrs. Broth, of New York; Corella, 
the wife of a Mr. Reynolds, of New York; Rose, 
the wife of Lou Darbey; and Jolin D., of New 
York. 

Horace Atwood receivc<l only a limited educa- 
tion in the common schools of Ohio and New 
York, and at the youthful age of fourteen started 
out to fight his own waj' in life. He left the 
parental roof and sailed on the bark "Columbus," 
of Fair Haven, Mass., as a sailor. He went to some 
of the islands off Brazil, and after being before 
the mast for one year, and touching at Java, 
and other places, landed in Austialia, where he 
remained for some time in the Swan River Colony. 
While there he engaged in whaling for two seasons, 
and received for his services ^7.50 per month. 
After leaving that place he went to Hobart Town, 
Tasmania, and remained there in all about two 
years. Wliile there he visited the Philippine 
Islands and made five trips to the Island of Mauri- 
tius, where he was engaged in the sugar trade. 
From there he went to ^'alparaiso, Chili, and 
was engaged in the employ of Chilian merchants 
at the copper ports. While in Chili he walked 
from Valparaiso to Tucumana, a distance of over 
two hundred miles, without an^' company. His 
only experience during that time was when his 
coat and cap of blue cloth were stolen by a ])eon, 
who kindly left his own in their place. 

For about eigliteen months Mr. Atwood re- 
mained in Chili, and then went to Callao, Peru, 



where he also engaged in different work for six 
months. After this, for six or seven months, he 
worked the nitre beds, and then went to Liverpool, 
England, where he hired to go on a merchant vessel 
and took two trips to southern Spain, on the Med- 
iterranean Sea, making about forty ports. Later 
he sailed to Calcutta, India, the island of Colombo, 
Seon and to Marseilles, France, also to vari- 
ous other ports, and then returned to Liverpool. 
From there he sailed to Sidney, Australia, and 
later from London to Liverpool, carrying a cargo 
of tea. Afterward he sailed to Quebec, Canada, but 
returned to Liverpool, thence going to the East In- 
dies, and l)ack to Liverpool, where he shipped for 
the west coast of Africa on the Senegambia River, 
and touched many points in that country. Return- 
ing to Liverpool, he shipped for New York, but 
the vessel sprang a leak and sank twelve hundred 
miles west of Cape Clear, about four i>. .m. The 
crew was picked up about nine a. m. next day 
by a steamer and carried back to Liverpool, where 
our subject remained for one month. He shipped 
again for New York, and arrived in that citj' in 
May, 1865, after having been absent from home 
eleven j'ears. During that time he had heard 
from home but once, and his relatives had heard 
from him but once. 

After returning home, he was engaged in tilling 
the soil on a farm in the Empire State, but shortly 
afterward returned to Ohio and worked for the 
Cleveland, Columbus it Cincinnati Railroad for 
two years. In 18(i6 he came to Michigan and 
was engaged in lumbering and other occupations 
from that date until 1874, when he moved on his 
present farm of eighty acres. He now has thirty 
acres under cultivation, and is one of the prosper- 
ous and substantial agriculturists of his section. 
He has served as Highway and Drain Commis- 
sioner from 1878, except about five years, and also 
has served as School Director for three j-ears, 
holding that position at the present time. In the 
year 1873 he was married, in September, to Miss 
Helen Orton, a native of New York and daughter 
of Arcelus and Mariah (Cressett) Orton. Six 
children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Orton, those 
living being: Helen; Clara, the wife of Angus 
McDonald; Alice, the wife of Alexander Mc- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



473 



Donnld; I^na, the wife of Ellis W. Lang; and Kate, 
wife of Frank Taylor. Mr. Orton died September 
11, I860, and in September. 1863, Mrs. Orton 
married William Lowinj;. They now reside in 
Georgetown Township. Mr. and Mrs. Lowing 
have one living child, Edgar. Mr. and Mrs. At- 
wood have been the parents of six children: Mor- 
ris; Vesta and Kuby, deceased; Lena, Allie and 
Frank. Politically, Mr. Atwood is a Democrat, 
and socially he is a Mason, a member of Crescent 
Lodge No. 322. In 1865 he shipped from Liver- 
pool on the "Great Eastern" with troops for 
(Quebec, Canada. 



.^=^ 



m>^^<m=^-*- 




'ASPER LAIiriS. During the forty-six 
years that have passed over the head of the 
gentleman whose name stands at the head 
'of this sketch since his locating in the 
I'nited States, he lias witnessed many changes in 
the country, and has not Iteen merely a "looker on 
in ^'enice," but a citizen who has through liis en- 
terprise, his integrit}' and his perseverance, con- 
tributed his full share to the development of the 
section in which he resides, vvhich is one of the 
most magiiilicenl in the State. He was born in 
Hanover, Germany, September 14, 1828, a son of 
l$errend and Geesje (Beld) Laliuis, who were also 
born ill Hanover in 17lt2 and 17i).'^, respectively. 
The youthful days of Berrend Laliuis were spent 
on a farm which belonged to his father, but he 
also learned the trade of a carpenter, and these iwo 
occupations he continued to follow throughout 
life, becoming the owner of a small tract of land. 
He and his wife reared a family of four childroii: 
Heiinaiies, who still resides in the Old Country; 
Aaltje, deceased; Triute, a resident of Allegan 
County, Mich.; and Kas|)er, the subject of this 
sketch. Berrend Laliuis was a man of dee|) re- 
ligious nature, and was an Elder in the Reformed 
Church at the time of his death, which occurred in 
I8G;i. His widow survived him until 187!l. 
Kasper Laliuis received belter e<Uicational ad- 



vantages than the average boj' of his day, and be- 
ing an intelligent youth he made rapid progress 
in his studies. When not employed in imi-sning 
the ])atlis of learning, he learned the carpenter's 
trade of Ins father, at which occupation he labored 
in, his native land until his removal to the I'nited 
States in 184 7. He came alone to Ottawa County, 
Mich., and took up his residence at New Gron- 
ingen, and here he was united in marriage with 
Miss Feiinigje Kamps, a daughter of .lohii and 
Ililligje Kamps, all of whom were lx)rn in the 
Netherlands. After following his trade for some 
time, he purchased a forty-acre tract of land, 
which was totally unimproved, and to this small 
purchase he has added until he now is the own- 
er of a line farm comprising two hundred and 
ten acres, nearly all of which wa* in a wild state at 
the time of his purchase. With the aid of his 
sons he has cleared and improved this land, and 
in his long and arduous labors he found a true 
helpmate in iiis kind, energetic and hard-working 
wife. 

To the union of Mr. and Mrs. Laliuis ten ciiil- 
dren were liorii, who are in order of birth as fol- 
lows: Geesje, Mrs. Joseph Baareman; John, a 
resident of this county; Berrend, who resides on 
a farm; Albert, who resides in Zeeland; Ilaniiah, 
the wife of Henry Hoif, of Chicago, III.; (ierrit; 
Fannie, the wife of John De Pree, of Zeeland; 
Kasper, Jr., and two who died young iinnanied. 
Kasper, Jr., the youngest son, attended Hope 
College, and after teaching school for four years 
liegaii the study of medicine in the I'liiversit}' 
of Michigan at Ann Arbor, where he has been 
for one year; John, Berrend, Hannah and Albert 
also received their educations at Hope College, 
the latter linishing his education in the State Nor- 
mal School at Ypsilanti, and upon graduating re- 
ceived a State certificate to teach. 

Mr. Laliuis deserves great credit for the way in 
which he has surmounted the dilliculties which 
have strewn his pathw:iy, and also for having 
given his children good educational opportuni- 
ties. He has ever been a wide-awake man of af- 
fairs, industrious, pushing, enterprising and law- 
abiding, and the liberal means which he is now 
enjoying have been acfpiired by his own good 



474 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



management. He and his wife are members of the 
Reformed Church of Zeeland, in wliich lie has held 
office for the past twenty-five years. He has been 
Highway and Drainage Commissioner of his town- 
ship., and politically he is a stanch Prohibitionist. 




AMUEL R. SANFORD, one of the honored 
pioneers of Muskegon County, and a prom- 
inent and progressive business man of the 
city of Muskegon, was born in Wajme 
County, N.Y., August 11, 1822, and is a son of 
Isaac R. Sanford, a native of Connecticut. His 
paternal grandfather, Abel Sanford, was born in 
Wallingford, Conn., and was of P>nglish descent. 
The mother of our subject bore the maiden name 
of Patience At water, and was also born in the 
Nutmeg State. 

The early boyhood of our suliject was spent in 
attendance at the district schools during the win- 
ter season and in farm work during the summer 
months. Later he ])rosecuted his studies in the 
Geneva Lj'ceum and Lyma Methodist Episcopal 
.'seminary. Previous to this, he was eng.aged in 
clerking in a dry-goods store in Palmyra, N. Y., 
and afterward in a wholesale and retail drug and 
grocery house at Geneva, N. Y., remaining thus 
occupied until 1844, when he migrated to Michi- 
gan. Locating in Grand Rapids, he opened the 
first drug store in that place. He secured a good 
trade and successfully carried on business until 
the fall of 1848, when he disposed of the store. 
His next enterprise was the building of a double 
steam sawmill sixteen miles up the river from 
Muskegon, and in 1856 he came to this city, where 
he has since made his home. 

For a time Mr. Sanford engaged exclusively in 
the manufacture and shipping of lumber, and af- 
terward gave his attention to the lumber business 
in one or another of its branches. For some time 
he has been extensively engaged in the manufac- 
ture of shingles. In his undertakings he has met 



with success, and acquired a handsome compe- 
tence. He dealt largely in real estate and has 
been connected with manj- leading enterprises of 
the community, having been one of the organiz- 
ers of the ^luskegon National Bank and a Director 
in the first two railroad companies entering the 
city, also aiding in the inception of other im- 
portant concerns. 

On the 1st of October, 1844, Mr. Sanford was 
united in marriage with Miss Susan S. Huggins, a 
native of Wayne County, N. Y., and a daughter 
of Zadok Huggins. She died July 18, 1855, leav- 
ing two children: I. Ransom, now a resident of 
Muskegon; and Anna M., wife of Harvey Cliatlen, 
an architect of (^uiiicy. 111. The second marriage 
of Mr. Sanford took place July 7, 1858, his wife 
being Miss Ambrosia Peck, of Gorliam, Ontario 
County, N. Y. Her father, Samuel B. Peck, was 
for many years a merchant of Gorham, but re- 
moved to IMuskegon in 1859. Two children have 
been born to Mr. and Mrs. Sanford, Arthur II. and 
Nellie S. 

In the fall of 1846 Mr. Sanford was elected 
Clerk of Kent County on the Democratic ticket, 
and filled that position until the fall of 1848, that 
being the time of his removal from the citj'. In 
1858 he was elected Sheriff of Ottawa Counts', 
which at that time comprised the counties of Mus- 
kegon and Ottawa, but during his term of service 
the present division was made, and he removed to 
Grand Haven temporarily' in order to complete 
his term. In the performance of the duties of 
this office he alwaj's traveled on foot, unless 
having a prisoner in charge, and under no cir- 
cumstances ever carried a weapon of defense. 
As a '"walkist" he was for many years unrivaled. 
In public office he has always been found true to 
the trust reposed in him, and has discharged his 
duties with promptness and fidelity. In business 
life he has always been honorable and straightfor- 
ward, and has therefore gained universal confi- 
dence. In liis social and home life, he is an affa- 
ble and pleasant gentleman, generous and kind- 
hearted, and his many excellencies of chaiactcr 
have gained for him a wide circle of warm 
friends. 

Althougli reared in accordance with the tenets 



ruiiTli.UT A2sD lllU<ili.Vl'lll(JAL liECUiiD. 



475 



of the Methodist Eiiiscopal Chtireli, lie never ac- 
cepted its creed, nor allili:ited as a mcinbor with 
any religious denomination, Inil has heen liberal 
in his lienefactioiis to all tlie churches of the city 
of his homo. In 188,5, however, the spiritual jjliil- 
osopliy. with its liberality of thought and its ac- 
companying piienoniena. so strt)ngly presented it- 
self to his hitherto unsatisfied mind, that he es- 
poused that cause and is to-day its tirni believer 
and stanch advocate. His life has been worthily 
spent, and his character is a noble one. The his- 
tory of this community would be incomplete with- 
out his sketch, and we gladly present this record 
of his life work to our readers. 



^^^1 N'REDEVELD, a prominent general agri- 
,|[ ,— , culturist and fruit-grower, located u|)on sec- 
\=M tion 30, Holland Township, Ottawa County, 
Mich., takes a leading place in local matters of 
progress, and for about twelve years has been an 
elTicient member of the School Board. Horn in the 
province of Vraut, in the Netherlands, in 1836, our 
subject was the son of Albert and Anna ( Hastings) 
Vredeveld, both natives of the Netherlands, and 
honest, upright and industrious people, born of a 
sturdy and thrifty race. The father, a native of the 
same locality as our subject, w.as born in ITyo, and, 
in youth possessing but limited opportunities of 
education, early began the round of agricultural 
duty, devoting the work of his life to farming; and 
although a man of but little capitjil, he owned 
a small tract of feitile land in the Netherlands. 
He dutifully remained with his parents until his 
marriage, when, having faithfully a.^sisted his fa- 
ther and mother, he and his good wife began 
life for themselves. At this period of his career 
the father was a young man twenty-live years of 
age, full of courage and dctciniination to win his 
wa}' in the world. The union of the parents was 
blessed by the birth of seven childi'en. all born in 
the Old Ciiuntry. (irace iu:irried .lohn \'cnzalrau: 
Lucus was the second in f)r<ler of Idrth; Hcniv is 



decca.sed; Oertrude married Roluf .Myrinck; and 
Bartlet, our subject and .Vlbert (deccused) com- 
pleted the list of sons ami daughters who gathered 
in the old home. 

In 1847, the father and mother and their seven 
children, with some of their household goods, set 
sail for the I'luted States, and crossing the .sea ar- 
rived safely at their destination. A brief time after 
they were located in Buffalo, where they remained 
for a twelvemonth. The family, who were fifty- 
two days on their way from Europe to America, 
have 3'et a vivid remembrance of the long voyage 
upon the sailing-vessel, which, experiencing no 
storm, yet took almost two months for the pas- 
sage. When the father landed with his wife and 
children in this hospitable land, he had l)ut ^4 in 
money, and he earned his living by working on a 
canal, doing teaming principally. At the close 
of the first year the family removed farther West, 
settling in Allegan County, Mich., where the father 
entered eighty acres of land in the northwestern 
part of the county, and with diligence and patient 
toil cultivated the soil, impr'ovcd the aci'es with 
substantial buildings and made that homestead his 
permanent abiding-place until his death, in Decem- 
ber, 1870. He had buried his wife, the mother of 
our subject, about six months after arriving in the 
United States. The father was a sincere Christian 
man, a devout member and for many years a val- 
ued Elder of the Reformed Church. 

Our subject, remaining with his father until 
twenty-one years of age, obtained his primary 
education in the Netherlands, and afterward at- 
tended the public schools of Buffalo and Michi- 
gan. He was, however-, only about eleven years of 
age when he began working by the month at farm 
work, and in 1862 was employed by the Goverri- 
ment of the I'nited States iir making I'oads iir 
Missouri through which the army would after-- 
ward pass. Continuing in this employment about 
eight months, our subject then obtained other 
work. 

At the age of thirty Mi-. \'redeveld was united 
in marriage with Miss Henrietta Iluskin. Tnto 
our subject and his estimable wife have been, 
born four children: Ai\na; Henry; .lennie, wife of 
Ri.\ Wigman; and Klla. Before m.-iri'i.'igc our sub- 



476 



POKTKAIT AND BlOGRAPmCAL EECORD. 



jeet had purchased fifty acres of good land, which 
he has since brought up to a high state of culti- 
vation, upon eight acres raising a fine quality of 
fruits and berries. The land when bouglit was 
heavily timbered and much hard work was re- 
quired to bring the acres up to their present pro- 
ductiveness. Mr. Vredeveld is, like his father, in 
religious connection a member of the Reformed 
Church, and politically affiliates with the Repub- 
licans. He has ably transacted the duties of Path- 
master, and has done excellent public service up- 
on the School Board, and enjoys the hearty best 
wishes and kind regard of many friends. 



^lE 



E^^ 



'^ OHN C. LEWIS, a financier of acknowl- 
) edged ability, and the President of the First 
National Bank of Traverse City, Mich., also 
^^ one of the largest dealers in lumber and 
pine land in the Wolverine State, is one of 
the old-time mill-owners of Whitehall, Muskegon 
County. He was born on the Ottawa River, in 
Canada, Februarj- 26, 1837, and was the second 
child of John and Maria Lewis, long-time residents 
of the Dominion. The father, born in Louisiana 
in 1809, was a son of a soldier in the AVar of 1812, 
and when onl\' a lad went to Canada. Literally 
making his way through the wilderness, he was 
obliged to carrj^ his provisions on his back from 
the nearest trading-post, a distance of eighteen 
miles. He died in that locality in 1846, at the 
earl}^ age of thirt3'-seven. 

Tlie mother, a native of Ireland, emigrated to 
Canada when alioul fifteen years of age, and sur- 
vived her luir^baiid for one year, i)assing away in 
1848, when .John wasonl.\- leu years old. The fam- 
ily was then scattered and he was cared for by an 
uncle, Cornelius C with whom he remained until 
seventeen years of age. He spent the intervening 
time mostly in a round of agricultural toil, his 
opportunities for an education licing very limited 
and conlined m;iinly to brief x'liooliiig in the 
winter montlis. 



Immediately after leaving the home of his uncle, 
Mr. Lewis passed a year working on a construc- 
tion train on the Grand Trunk Railroad. In 185.5 
he came to the United States, determined to try 
his fortunes in a republic. For five succeeding 
_vears, without capital or influence, he struggled 
slowly upward. For three j'ears he was employed 
by J. H. Williams, one of the largest lumbermen 
in the Stale of New York. Mr. Lewis assisted in 
operatinga mill, and during the time mastered the 
details of the business. In 1858 he journeyed to 
Minnesota, and with the little money he had care- 
fully saved opened a small store at Lakeland, on 
the St. Croix. As this was immediatel}- after the 
panic of 1857, there was literally no money in the 
country, and the venture was unsuccessful. Hav- 
ing thus lost a good part of the small capital 
amassed with sacrifice and hard work, Mr. Lewis, 
with unfailing courage, began again. He next 
turned his attention to the South, and went first 
to New Orleans, and thence to Memphis, Tenn., and 
operated a mill in that localit3^ in the winter of 
1859. In the summer of 1860 he operated a cir- 
cular saw for that great lumberman, Chauncey 
Lamb, at Clinton, Iowa. 

In the winter of 1860 Mr. Lewis again located 
in Memphis, Tenn., and later operated a small saw- 
mill across the river in Arkansas, fifteen miles 
from Memphis. He remained there until the 
breaking out of the Civil War and the fall of 
Ft. Sumter, when he, in common with many 
others, left all he possessed with but one aim in 
view — to reach at once the more congenial North. 
Mr. Lewis next journeyed to Clinton, Iowa, and 
in December, 1861, came to Jluskegon, soon after- 
ward settling in what is now Whitehall. He had 
saved *1,300 in money, aside from his investments. 
and this amount he at once put into a farm, wjiith 
its discouraged owner offered at any piice. so that 
he could get out of the country. 

Once more beginning at the foot of the ladder, 
Mr. Lewis received employment as a da}' laborer 
in the lumlier c:imps, and in 1862 and 1863 he ran 
a circular saw for the laic A. .1. Covcll.and in 1H64 
for W. M. Weston. Later he bought the mill from 
Mr. Weston and then made some money. In 1865 
he sold out to Lyinan Covell, and about the same 



PORTUAIT AM) liK k iUAl'llICAL KECORD. 



477 



time sold liis farm for $525. lie then built the 
mill owned bv M. H. A- C. H. Covell, in compiiny 
with other parties. Later A. .1. Covell liecame his 
partner, and at last Forluiie smiled on our siil)ject 
and he rapidly made monev. lie operated this 
mill until 1H7.'), when his failing health obliged 
him to sell out. Locating in Waukesha. Wis., he 
remained there for three years. 

A man of superior business ability and llior- 
oughly informed regarding values, M'- Lewis dur- 
ing this time purchased large tr.icts of pine lands 
in Wisconsin and Michigan, and also owning an 
extensive piece of land in Mississippi has been a 
heavy dealer in pine lands and lumber. He is 
likewise one of tlie prominent capitalists and 
money-loaners in his part of the Stale, and for 
seventeen years was connected with the bank of 
Whitehall as Director and Vice-President. In 1885 
he established the First National liank of Traverse 
City and has remained its President continuously. 
He also loaned large sums of money to i)rivate 
parties in Traverse, as welt as in Whitehall and 
other places, and is now one of the wealthiest men 
in this part of Michigan, his course from the early 
■()0.s having been upward and onward. Self-re- 
liantly and with true courage he lias won his 
w;iv to a position of honor ami inllucnce, his 
linancial ability and integrity of character receiv- 
ing recognition from all who knew him. 

In July, 1865, were united in marriage John C. 
Lewis and Miss Augusta Covell, a sister of A. J., 
Lyman, .M. 15. and C. E. Covell, the wealthy lum- 
bermen of Whitehall. Three daughters have 
blessed the home of Mr. Lewis and his jicconiplislied 
wife. Lizzie M., a charming young lady, isa skilled 
musician, being a superior vocalist and instrumen- 
talist. She spent three years under I'rof. Halin, 
of the Detroit Conservatory of Music, from ;5;hich 
institution she was graduated. She then perfected 
her.self in liei vocal studies under the instruction 
of the renowned teacher, Mrs. Dexter. She is now 
the wife of William MacArthur, proprietor of a 
large flouring-mill at Cheboygan, .Mich. Nettie K., 
now a student at Oberliii College, is pursuing her 
literary studies with great success; Florence M. 
has not yet euterecl upon llic higher biMUclies of 
education. 



Mr. Lewis has supplemented the limited instruc- 
tion he received in childhood by close observa- 
tion and a wide range of reading, and is one of 
the best-informed men on practical subjects in 
Muskegon County. A shrewd and far-seeing man. 
the adversities of early life trained him to realize 
and embrace with clear judgment the later oppor- 
tunities which were the stepping-stones to his ulti- 
mate success. Mr. and Mrs. Lewis are valued 
members of the Congregational Church and are 
active aids in religious work and enterprise. The 
beautiful home, one of tlie finest in the locality, 
is the scene of many ])leasant social reunions 
and althougli his extensive business interests fre- 
quently require the absence of Mr. Lewis, lie hast- 
ens his return to one of the most attractive spots 
on earth to him. 

Politically a lifelong Republican, he has served 
his fellow-townsmen with efficiency as Supervisor, 
and has also as a member of the School Hoard for 
the past twelve years materially advanced the 
cause of education. Fraternally, he is connected 
with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and 
is a valued member of the home lodge. Practi- 
cally a self-made man, lie has in his enviable career 
gained both friends and money, and enjoys the sin- 
cere confidence of a wide circle of old-time friends 
and neighbors. 



fe^E^]iCS 



] ^ETER PETERSON, who for many years was 

jj] numbered among the leading farmers and 

^ enterprising citizens of Dalton Township, 

\ Muskegon County, was born in the southern 

part of Sweden F'ebruary IG, 1835, and was the 

eldest in a family of three children. (Jlie became 

a resident of Minnesota, and one sister never left 

her native land. The father of this family was a 

miller by trade and became quite well-to-do, but 

by mismanagement lost the greater part of his 

(iroperty in later life. 

Our subject spent the days of his boyhood un- 
der the parental roof, remaining at home until 



478 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



nineteen 3'ears of age, when he bade good-bye to 
home and friends and sailed alone for the New 
AVorld. He had heard much of its privileges and 
opportunities and resolved to try his fortune in 
the land of promise. On reaching New York, he 
at once came to Muskegon County, Mich., where 
he arrived with very limited means, and in order 
to provide for his support he began working in 
the lumber woods with Mr. Knudson, of Mon- 
tague. He remained with that gentleman for 
about a year, living very economically and care- 
fully, and at length with his hard-earned savings 
was enabled to purchase a small tract of timber- 
land on White Lake, and he then began lumbering 
on his own property. He came to the farm which 
is now the home of his widow in 1865, purchasing 
quite a large tract, nearly three hundred acres. 
It was a perfect wilderness, being covered with a 
dense growth of timber, and in order to reach the 
place Mr. Peterson had to cut the roads through, 
as there were none opened at the time. 

The labors of our subject were interrupted in 
1862, when, prompted by patriotic impulses, he 
went to the aid of his adopted country, enlisting 
as a member of Company F, PMfth Michigan Cav- 
alry. He continued in the service for fourteen 
months, when, on account of physical disability, he 
was honorably discharged. He then returned to 
his home and family. He had been married in 
Muskegon County in 1857, the lady of his choice 
bein'flSIiss Mary Michelson, daughter of Lars and 
Mary (Lawson) Michelson. The lady was born 
in the northern part of Sweden, and when a maiden 
of nineteen summers crossed the briny deep to 
America, joining iu-r parents, who had emigrated 
to the New World a number of years [irevious. 
Five'cluldren graced their union, but three died 
in early life and only two are now living: John, 
a resident of Minnesota; and William, who oper- , 
ates the home farm for his mother. She is a mem- 
ber of the Methodist Episcopal C'liurcli,an(l a most 
estimable lad\-. who has many friends thronghoiit 
tliis community. 

In Ills social relatiims, Mr. Peterson was con- 
nected with tlie Odd I cllows' society of Muskegon, 
and was also a niemlier of the Grand .'\rmy post 
at tiiat place. In i)olilics, he was a stanch He- j 



publican, and always supported the men and meas- 
ures of that party. He held a number of local of- 
fices, the duties of which were promptly and faith- 
fully performed. He passed away in Jul^', 1890, 
and in his death the family lost a loving husband 
and father, his neighbors a faithful friend and the 
communit3- one of its best citizens. lie lived a 
quiet, unassuming life, but true worth and excel- 
lencies of character gained for him high regard. 



^-^J^^^>^^^^ 



OIIN A. WILTERDINK, a practical gen- 
eral agriculturist "and well-known citizen, 
is pleasantly located upon section 34, Hol- 
land Township, Ottawa County, and has 
for man}' years been intimately identified with the 
progressive interests of his home localit}'. Mr. 
Wilterdink was born in the Netherlands in 1839 
and was the son of John A. and Minnie (Wilter- 
dink) Wilterdink, the parents being very distant 
relatives. The father, born in 1802, and the 
mother in 1808, were natives of the near vicinity 
of the birthplace of our subject. The paternal 
grandparents were in poor circumstances, and the 
father began when a boy to make his own way in 
the world. He learned thiough a long apprentice- 
ship the trade of a wagon-maker, and after his 
marriage cultivated a rented farm and also worked 
at his trade. In 1846, the father with his family 
embarked for the I'nited .States upon a sailing- 
vessel, llie"William Tell," which ran on a rock and 
was wrecked. All were picked u|> and saved b}- 
other vessels. The Wilterdinks, who had expected 
to make the port of Uaitimore, were landed after 
ninety days in Florida. They then [iroceeded 
directly to St. Louis and lived tliere a few months, 
but in May, 1847, arrived at the old Iiulian vil- 
l;ii>e west of where Holland now stands. They 
lived with the Indians three weeks before they 
got tlicir cabin built. 

The f.ither entered forty acres of (Government 
land on section 34, Ilollniid Townshiii, all timber, 
which he cleared, cuUivaling the soil with llie 



POHTKAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RKCORD. 



471) 



help of his sons. His good wife passed away in 
isr>7, and since then, living with his eldest son, 
the father, now very feeble, has reached niiieU'- 
one years of age. Seven children gathered in 
the old home, but four died before reacliing nine 
years of age. The three surviving are: (iurlrnde, 
the wife of Richard Takken: .lohn W., and .lolin 
A., our subject. Mr. Wilterdink. beginning life 
for himself, enlisted in .\ugust, 1862. in Company 
I, Twent^'-fifth Michigan Infantry, and, engaged 
with the Array of the Cumberland, fought at 
Tiblw' Bend. Ky., wliere two hundred I'nion men 
defeated Morgan with his three thousand strong. 
Our subject likewise actively participated in the 
fulldwing engagements: Knoxville, Kingston, 
Mossy Creek, Rocky Face, Res.aca, Dallas (Oa.), 
Altoona, Culp's Farm, Lost Mountain, Kenesaw 
Mountain, Nickajack Creek, .Stony Creek, De- 
catur, Atlanta, .lonesborough, Duck River and 
Niishville. Aside from these decisive battles, Jlr. 
Wilterdink took an octive part in numerous liot 
skirmishes, and was wounded at Resaca by a shell 
striking him on the left side near the heart. He 
was also sunslruck at Altoona, (ia., but never 
went to the hospital, being merely carried from 
the Held in an ambulance. He w.as never captured 
nor absent for any cause from his regiment. Re- 
ceiving his discharge in North Carolina, lie was 
mustered out of the service .June 1.'), 1H6;J, in 
.I.ackson, Mich. 

Soon after his return to his home, our subject 
[)urchased the forty acres wliere he now resides, 
and owns at present seventy acres, fifty of which 
are under high cultivation, the homestead con- 
taining excellent and commodious buildings. In 
lH(i8. were united in marriage John A. Wilterdink 
and Miss Leiiimie M.ssclier. daughter of Kvert 
and Muilli;i A'i>schei, natives of the Netlieiinnds, 
where likewise Mrs. Wilterdink wa- lioin. eini- 
grating to the Cnited States with her parents 
when only four years of Mge. Our Mibject and 
his estimable wife were IiIcsmmI by I he birth of 
live children: Annie M.; M:irlli:i M.. wlio died 
when twelve years of age; .MiiimIi-, Albert K. 
:iiid Ivlilic. .Mr. .Mini Mis. Willii diiiU arc valued 
iiK'iiiliei's of the Itcforiiii'il ( liiiicli :il Holland, 
of whirh our siibjecl has bei-ii an lOlder f<ir 
24 



twenty-four years. Politically a Republican, and 
ever taking a deep interest in matters of mutual 
welfare, he has l)een an ellicient School Director 
for fifteen years, and li.as in various w.ays ma- 
terially aided in educational advancement. Among 
his war reminiscences Mr. Wilterdink recalls that, 
in 1863, he marched barefoot in November and 
December. He has .as a valuable trophy of his 
first battle a revolver, which he took from a rebel 
officer. Those days of strife, now in the distant 
past, were rich in deeds of heroism; to-day, witii 
peace brooding over the land, oiir subject is as in 
those days a devoted American citizen, true and 
loyal. Although not relating directly to the 
history of Mr. Wilterdink, a terrible catastrophe 
which overtook his relatives may lie of interest to 
many. His uncle, Hiram Wilterdink. and his ma- 
ternal grandmother and two of her sons, the 
wife of one and six children ))erislied on l)oard a 
burning boat on Lake Michigan, on their way to 
their home in the United States. 



--^^ 



LFKKl) .Vl.LKN, the leading druggi.st and 
an enterprising citizen of Montague. Mus- 
(l l!' kegon County, for three years held under 
President Harrison the ollicial position of 
Col lector of the port of Montague, but now devotes 
his entire time to the demands of a large and rap- 
idly increasing business. Oiir subject was born in 
the city of Cork, Ireland, M.ay I, 184 '.I, and was 
the ninth in the family of sixteen children who 
blessed the home of Benjamin and Patience (Hum- 
phreys) Allen. The I'alhcr was born not far from 
Belfast, but the paternal grandfather was a genu- 
ine Scotch Highlander, a descendant of one of 
the mo.«t illustrious fainilics of "b<mnie Scotia." 
The grandfather e.-irlv in life removed from his 
native land li Ireland, and changed the spelling 
of his name from Allan to .Mien, which was a 
mistake, and has ini'xeiited the heirs to a large 
property be(ineallicd to the Allans from receiving 
their share, as it li;is been dilticnlt lo prove to the 




480 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



satisfaction of the court in chancery that tlie 
William Allen of Ireland and the William Allan 
of Scotland were one and the same person. Ben- 
jamin Allen was a man of liberal education, 
and, possessinor superior business attainments, be- 
came a large ])aper manufacturer, ranking as the 
most extensive in his line of trade in the Emerald 
Isle. He owned and operated three large mills — 
one at Dripsl^', one at Tower Mills and the other 
at Girth. In these three mills he employed more 
than eight hundred hands, and in the business made 
a fortune, but in 1860, when the free-trade law 
went into effect, allowing the untaxed importation 
of foreign paper, it made a bankrupt of him, 
closed his mills and rendered him temporarily in- 
sane. 

The father after his reverses recovered his rea- 
son but never his fortune, and while he had sutti- 
cient to keep him in his last days, he died in 
1883, at the age of sixty-seven, a comparatively 
poor man. He had been a life-long believer in the 
Quaker faith, and, a sincere Christian of high prin- 
ciple, was a noted temperance worker, and manj' a 
time stood upon a platform side by side with 
that distinguished orator and temperance lectur- 
er, Father Mathew, the great Irish temperance 
advocate. The f.ither was a man of generous 
heart and liberal liand, and during his da3S of 
prosperity the poor of the country found in him 
a faithful friend. While Ireland was suffering 
with the dread famine, Benjamin Allen would 
take his carriage and drive through the parish and, 
gathering together the most destitute, would re- 
move them to the tenements on his large estate 
and there care for them tenderly. He had one 
brother and three sisters. The brother, William, 
early in life went to Australia, where for the past 
thirty-five years he has been a member of Parlia- 
ment. Joseph also made his home in Australia, 
and became a prominent mining engineer, .lohn 
settled in the Philippine Islands, and was one of 
the most extensive planters in the islands. He 
married a Spanish lady of great culture and 
beauty, and a piece of her wedding dress, made of 
the fine fibre of the pinea|)ple, a most costly fabric, is 
now in the possession of a daugiiler of our subject. 
,Ii)hii. his wife and children all died at Manila 



with the yellow fever. The sister (aunt of our 
subject) married Mr. Green, one of the largest 
merchants of Xewry, County of Down, where she 
died about 1878. 

Patience Humphreys, the mother of Alfred Al- 
len, was the daughter of Prof. John Dobbs Hum- 
phreys, born July 20, 1764, an Englishman I)}' de- 
cent, but whether born in England or Ireland we 
do not positively know. He was a man of learn- 
ing, and force of character and possessed great phy- 
sical endurance. He occupied with honor po- 
sitions of distinction, and was President of the 
Royal Cuvierian Societ3', and Professor in Queen's 
College at Cork, and Librarian of the Royal Cork 
Institute. For half a century he suceessfull3' con- 
ducted a pi'ivate college, and, an author of much 
note in his day. published several volumes of 
Ills own poetry, which for their elegant diction 
and style of composition attracted much favorable 
criticism and insured him a wide circle of readers. 
The Professor wasnever sick a daj' in his life until 
attacked bj- his mortal illness. He expired Julj" 
18, 1864, within two days of his one hundredth 
birthdaj-. He left to posterity the largest and 
finest conchological collection in the United King- 
dom, and which, purchased after his death by 
ail English admirer, was presented to the Royal 
Cork Institute, with which he had so long been 
connected. 

The mother of Alfred Allen passed away at 
the age of forty-eight years, and of her large fam- 
ily of sixteen children, several died in infancy. 
William Allen was a successful iiardware merchant 
of Iieland, and died at the age of twenty-four; 
Mary married William Kemp, of London, Eng- 
land, where Mr. Kemp is the manager of a large 
insurance company. .lohn Humphreys Allen 
is a wealth}' druggist of New York City, and 
the proprietor of Allen's Brain Food. Charlotte 
Elizabeth Allen married Daniel McAdams, of 
the firm of McAdams & Cartwright, elevator 
manufacturers, of New York City. Charles Her- 
bert Allen represents a large English merclian- 
tile house in Australia and the East Indies. .Viin 
Maria Allen is the wife of a pros|>eroiis hardware 
merchant in London, England. .losepliiiie is 
single and lives in Dublin, Ireland. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RKCORI). 



481 



Our subject was educated in the CJuaker schools 
of Ill's native land, but after tlie failure of his fa- 
ther, when he was about fourteen years of age, 
went into the wholesale and retail drug house of 
John iIatton,in Cork, to thorouglily learn the bus- 
iness, lie remained with Mr. Ilatton five years, 
and at tiie expiration of that time, on account of 
failing healtii, abandoned tlie business and went 
to Spain, there opening tiie first ISible house at 
Madrid after tiie granting of liberty of worsliip 
in that country. Our subject was in the employ 
of Prof. William Ireland Knapp, then a liai)tist 
nii.<sionary, and now Professor of Languages in 
the University of Chicago. Mr. Allen remained 
in .Spaui until 1871, when he returned to London 
and was there united in marriage willi Miss Caro- 
line Tisdall, an Knglish lady, whom he had met at 
Madrid when she was governess in the family of 
the Count of Vilches. Our subject and his ac- 
complished wife were wedded at St. George's, Han- 
over .S(iuare, London, August 31, 1871, and at 
once embarked for America. Reaching the United 
.States in safety-, Mv. and Mrs. Allen made but 
a brief stay in New York, tlien journeyed to tlie 
West, where our subject received employment in 
a drug store in Olivet, Mich. Later Mr. Allen 
settled in Portland, Mich., where for seven years 
he was engaged in a drug store of W. W. Hogue, 
a part of the time being in charge of a branch 
store at Sunfield. Our subject next located in 
Muskegon and for .seven years was in the drug 
store of C. I.. Hrundage, and in 1885 made his 
home in Montague. For seven years and a-half 
he dispensed drugs for I., (i. Ripley and then en- 
gaged in the drug business on his own account. 

A thorough i)liarmaceiitist, entirely at home in 
every branch of his trade, Mr. Allen has met with 
well-deserved success, and is recognized as a man 
of superior ability and training. Politically, our 
subject is a strong Repulilican, and fraternal- 
ly altiliati-N with the Free A- Accepted Masons. 
.Mrs. Allen is a valued nu-niber of the Episcopal 
Church and a leady aid in all good woik. Ten 
children brightened the liuinc, but lliree lit- 
tle ones died in infancy. The (•ide.--l sou. William 
II., is ciiiiiiccted with the wlinlcMde ilriig luiiise iif 
.Mill ri-iiii >V I'liiiiiiiHi-, of Chicago, lie is a grad- 



uate of the Ferris Business College of Big Rapids, 
and is a young man of high attainments. A 
daughter, Allcna, is a milliner of Montague. Pa- 
tience is a successful teacher. Florence, George, 
Charles and Daniel are now being educated. The 
family occupy a high social |)Osition, and enjoy 
the esteem of a wide circle of sincere friends. 




LHKRT KRONKMYKR, General Manager 
and Secretary of the lludsonvillc Hiiltor 
1 - and Cheese Factory, is one of the prominent 
business men of this prosperous village, 
and is also well known throughout Ottawa Coun- 
ty. He is a son of Bernard and Ellen (Steen) 
Kronemycr, natives of the Netherlands, who emi- 
grated to America in 1847, and settled in Holland, 
Ottawa County, Mich. Within two months after 
the date of their arrival here, the father, mother 
and four brothers died, leaving only one brother 
and sister, Albert and Alida. The latter became 
the wife of .lacob Venderboegh, and is now de- 
ceased. The parents were prominent members of 
the Dutch Reformed Church and were upright, 
generous and honorable. 

Born ill the Netlierlands February 10, 183'.t, our 
subject was a tad of eight years when he accom- 
panied his parents to America, and very soon 
afterward he was or|»haned by their death. He 
was then given by the church authorities to R. 
.Schilliman, now a resident of North Holland, 
Mich., who at liiat time was extensively engaged 
in shipping lumber, shingles, etc., by boat to the 
principal markets. With this gentleman the orphan 
boy reinained until he w,as nineteen, his ediicatioiuil 
advantages raeantiine being exceedingly limited. 
At that age he ran away and, coining to (Jeorge- 
town Township, worked in the cmiiloy of L. »V L. 
Jenison for three summer seasons, attending the 
district sdiool during the winter. 

In August, l.S(;2. Mr. Kronemyer enlisted .as a 
member of Coinpany (i. Twenty-first Michigan 



482 



POKTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



Infant!-)', and from tlie ranks was promoted to 
tlie position of Corporal, later to Duty-Sergeant 
and finally to Orderly-Sergeant. With his com- 
pany he marched to Cincinnati, Ohio, thence to 
Louisville, Ky.. and from there into the enemy's 
strongholds. He jjarticipated in the following- 
named battles: Perryville, October 8, 1862; La- 
vergne, Tenn., December 27; Stewarts, December 
29; Stone River, December 29-31, 1862. and Jan- 
uary 1-3, 1863; TuUahoma, Tenn.. June 24; Elk 
River, July 1; Chickamauga, September 19-21; 
Chattanooga, October 6; Brown's Ferry, October 
27; Mission Ridge, November 26; Savannah. Ga., 
December 11, 18 and 21-24, 1864; Averysboro, 
N. C, March 16. 1865; and Bentonville. N. C, 
March 19. 

At Bentonville, N. C, Mr. Kronemyer was 
struck by a musket ball, which knocked him sense- 
less. Left on the field, he was taken prisoner by 
the Confederates and for two weeks was confined 
in Libby Prison. Upon being released he was 
sent to Camp Chase, Ohio, and from there went 
to Detroit, where he was mustered out with his 
regiment, June 8, 1865, after a service of two 
years and ten months. During the entire period 
of his service, he was never in a hospital or absent 
from any roll-call, or any battle in which his regi- 
ment participated. After his discharge he re- 
turned to Hudson ville. and later engaged in raft- 
ing logs to Grand River, continuing in that way 
for one summer. During the winter of 1865-66 
he worked in the lumber woods at Georgetown. 
Prior to the war he purchased a small farm on 
section 20, Georgetown Township, for which he 
completed payment after the close of the war. 

The marriage of Mr. Kronemyer occurred in 
1867, and united him with Miss Mary Van Strate, 
a native of the Netherlands, vvho died in 1885, 
after an illness of twelve years. Four children 
were born of the union, two of whom are now 
living, Alida J. and Agatha S. In 1887 Mr. 
Kronemyer was again married, choosing as his 
wife Miss .Salina Smedloy, who was born in Eng- 
land, and who has proved a most eflicicnt help- 
mate to her husband. To his children Mr. Krone- 
myer has given excellent ediicatinnal advantages, 
and Ills <laUL;hti'rs .'ire vounsr ladies of culture 



and refinement. His eldest son died after attain- 
ing his majority. 

The original purchase of land made by Mr. 
Kronem3'er consisted of seventy-four acres, wholly 
unimproved, upon which he remained until 1891. 
After a short sojourn in Grand Rajiids, he went 
to another farm and from there came to Hndson- 
ville in 1893. He owns considerable valuable 
real estate, including three houses in Grand Rap- 
ids and a residence in Hudsonville. In politics a 
Republican, he has been prominent in local politi- 
cal affairs, and has served as Township Clerk a 
number of terms, also as Township Treasurer for a 
long period, and .as Sujiervisor for three years. His 
life has by no means been an e.asy one, but he has 
possessed an abundance of energy, perseverance 
and the American characteristic of "stick-to-it- 
iveness," and as a result of his unwearied efforts 
has gained a large measure of success. 



OHN BUSBY, M. IX, the popular young 
physician and skillful surgeon of Whitehall. 
Muskegon County, Mich., devotes himself 
untiringly to the demands of his profession, 
and already' possessing an excellent practice has .a 
brighter future yet before him, his cour.age, will 
and enterprise being imfailing factors in helping 
him upward on the thorny path, whose ditlicullics 
all professional young men are called ujion to siu- 
niount before thev can attain to the heights of 
assured success. The practice of Dr. Busby takes 
him through a round embracing the immediate 
neighborhood, as well as the town of Whitehall. 
Thoroughly at home in the details of general i)rac- 
tice, he excells in surgery, and is thus well adapted 
to the requirements of an extended professional 
career. Our subject is a native of Ontario and was 
born in Cumliorland .lune 14, 1868. His parents, 
William and Sarah (McLaughlin) Husby, are long- 
time and highly respected residents of the (Queen's 
dominions. The father is a genuine Scotchman, 
haviniC lieen born in the city of (Ilasgow in 18;!3. 



J»01?TRA1T Ain) BIOGkAPmCAL RECORD. 



183 



Tlie paternal grandfatlier, .lolin Husby, in wliose 
honor Dr. Hiishv was named, was al.^o a native of 
Glasgow and the descendant of a long line of 
Sturdy Scots. 

(Jrandfather Husby was a molder by trade and 
an honest, resolute man. lie emigrated to Amer- 
ica about 1836, and, settling upon a farm in Cum- 
berland, Ontjirio, devoted iiimself to tlie ])ui-suit of 
general agriculture. William IJusby was the eld- 
est of four sons and was about three years old 
when his parents made their home in Canada. He 
received an education in the common schools of 
his home neighborhood, and when seventeen years 
of age went into the pineries and for fully twenty- 
five jears was connected with one of the largest 
lumber companies of Canada. The mother of our 
subject was the daughter of Patrick JMcLaugiilin, 
the brother of William, and of Hugh McLauglilin, 
who has been for thirty years the foreman of a 
large lumber company at Aljiena, Mich. Robert 
is a prominent farmer near Alpena, and .John and 
James are also engaged in the profitable tilling of 
the soil in Cumberland, Ontario. When our subject 
was seven years of age, his father and mother, 
with their family, removed to Montreal, Canada, 
and in that city Dr. Ikisby spent the da^^s of boy- 
hood and received his education in the ordinary 
branches of study, graduating from the Montreal 
High School with honor. 

Our subject for the four succeeding ^ears at- 
tended the Montreal Collegiate School, finally en- 
tering McGill College, where he completed a four- 
year course and graduated from the medical depart- 
ment in 1891. Ilis op|)ortuniti?s for an educa- 
tion far above the ordinary were well improved, 
and to-day but few physicians of his age are as 
thoroughly versed in the ills that flesh is heir 
to as is our subject. Immediately following the 
termination of his medical studies. Dr. I5usbycame 
to his present location and began the practice of 
his chosen profession in Whitehall. Here he has 
been very successful, gaining an extended reputa- 
tion as a skillful surgeon. Fraternally, the Doctor 
is associated with the Ancient Free & Accepted 
Masons, and is also a valued member of the Mac- 
cabees. Our subject has two brothers, Patrick, 
tildcr than liiiii>elf, iiiiil interested in a larsre lum- 



ber comi)aiiy at Alpena, and William, younger, 
and still with his parents in Mt)ntieal. During 
the comparatively lirief period of Dr. Busby's res- 
idence in Whitehall he has made many friends 
and enjoys the confiilence and respect of the entire 
commnnitv. 



l*+^i 



V} tie, 



^^ILES T. WOODBUKV. The farming class 
America, and especially of the northern 
tier of States, is noted for the degree of 
intelligence that is possessed by its representa- 
tives. Mr. Woodbury belongs to one of the most 
progressive of families, and as a tiller of the soil, 
as well as in other respects, he has endeavored to 
keep out of the old grooves and has always favored 
the adoption of new and improved methods in con- 
ducting his operations. He was born in Perry ville, 
N. Y., November 18, 1818, and up to 1840 resided 
in that State, when he became a resident of Jlich- 
igan. Ashe was an engineer of considerable abil- 
ity, he soon found employment with William Laslie, 
of Muskegon, and built and took charge of the Las- 
lie Mill, which is now owned and operated by 
Messrs. Marsh tt Foss. In 1853 he removed from 
Muskegon to Grand Haven and formed a |)artner- 
sliip with C. B. Albee in an extensive tanning 
establishment, and for nine years thereafter had 
supervision of the mechanical department of the 
tannery. 

In 1861 Mr. Woodl)ury removed with his fam- 
ily to Allendale Township, Ottawa County, .Mich., 
and settled on a farm he had purchased, but lived 
to enjoy his home only a few years, his death 
occurring on the lOtli of .Vugiist, 1866, at the age 
of forty-eight years and nine months. In every 
business transaction in which he engaged he main- 
tained the confidence and trust whieh are usuallv 
the result of sterling principles and strict integrit^■. 
In hi> way he was quite a pliilanlhropist and was 
an earnest friend and safe counselor of the de- 
serving poor or the fatherless. Ilis earnest sup- 
port and Minpalliy were alw.-iys enlisted in all 



484 



PORTitAlT AKD BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



enterprises that tended to conduce to the best in- 
terests of the comnuiuity in wliicli he lived, and 
although quiet and unassuming in his deportment 
toward his fellow-men, he possessed decided views 
on all subjects, and his unmistakable position on 
the side of justice and right was a correct indi- 
cation of his mind and morals. It was truthfull3' 
said of him that "he alwa3's saw two sides to every 
question, and self never stood in the way." He 
was a devoted member of the Christian Churcli, 
to which he donated liberally of his means, as far 
as he could afford. 

He was married to Mrs. Matilda (Gardner) Fox 
November 14, I860, a daughter of a worthy Eng- 
lish gentleman, and to their union two sons were 
given: Jesse G. T., and Warren H., of Detroit, 
Mich. Mr. Woodbury served as Supervisor of his 
township for several 3'ears,and had he lived would 
have undoubtedly become a very wealthy farmer, 
for he possessed all the characteristics necessary 
for a successful agricultural life. He came to tlie 
State a poor man, and at the time of his death his 
farm, which was heavily covered with timber, had 
begun to take on the appearance of a well-tilled 
place under his capable management. Timber was 
f.ast being removed from it and a considerable 
portion had been put under cultivation. The 
house in which his widow and his son .Jesse now 
reside was at that time almost the same as it now 
is, and it is still one of the best and most sub- 
stantial houses in the township. Politically, Mr. 
Woodbury was a Republican, and socially was a 
member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. 

The ancestors of Mr. Woodbury originally came 
from FIngland, and his parents, Luther and Cath- 
erine (Harbach) Woodbury, were both born at 
Sutton, Mass., in which place they long resided. 
Thev' reared a family of ten chihlien: Bemus; 
Parmelia; George B., of Muskegon Count3-, Mich.; 
Giles T., the subject of this sketch; Catherine M.; 
Candace Sophia; Luther Dwight; William; Fran- 
cis J.; and W. H. 

Jesse G. T., the elder son of our subject, was born 
in Grand Haven, Mich., in lHGl,luil ever since his 
first 3ear has been a resident of the farm where 
he now makes his home. His education was .ac- 
quired in the district schools in Allendale Town- 



ship, and as soon as able he went with his half- 
brother. Fr.ank J. Fox, on to the farm and con- 
tinued to till the soil until his 3-ounger brother 
was of age. He then purch.ised the latter's inter- 
est in the old home farm, consisting of one hun- 
dred and sixty acres, of which one hundred acres 
were well improved. On this farm is a fine apple 
orchard and he used to raise peaches extensively, 
but his trees were killed a few years .ago b\- the 
hard winter. In the fall of 1892 Jesse Woodbury 
erected a planing-mill an<l heading factory in com- 
pan3- with Dennis Bennett at Allendale Center, 
and since then he has devoted his time to milling, 
his farm being rented. He was married December 
23. 1887, to Miss Alice M. Walbrink, a native of 
this county and a daughter of Henry D. and Ke- 
ziah (Robinson) Walbrink, who were the parents 
of six children: Mary A., Alice M., Eva, Alidia, 
Jacob A., Emma A. (deceased) and Minnie K., wife 
of Eugene Velzy. The mother of these children 
is deceased, and after her death Mr. Walbrink mar- 
ried Mrs. Nellie 1). Knowlton, and by her became 
the father of two children, both of whom arc dead. 
Mr. Walbrink died in 1891. Mr. and Mrs. Wood- 
bury have two cliildren, Genevieve and Eva W. 
Mrs. Woodbury is a member of the Congregational 
Church anil he is a member of the Ancient Free 
(fc Accepted M:isons. Politically, he is a Repub- 
lican, and in 18!t.S was elected Township Treasurer. 



'OllN H. CHAPMAN, the etticient Super- 
visor of Whitehall, and a prominent insur- 
ance and real-estate man of the village, is a 
native of Martin, Allegan County, Mich., 
and was born December 19, 1847. Our subject is 
the only son of .loseph H. and Annie (Casson) 
Chapman. The father, burn in Schenectady Coun- 
t3', N. Y., was the son of .lolin Chapman, who w.as 
born in Conncclicut in about 1790. The paternal 
grandfather emigrated with his parents to New 
York at a very earl3' .age, and there attained to 
manhood. The paternal great-grandfather, a man 



1\JRTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD, 



485 



of unusiial ability and sterling integrity, acquired 
a large property and became an extensive land- 
i)\vner. lie required each of ills twelve sons to 
fit himself for the battle of life by learning a 
trade, and John, the grandfather of our subject, 
became an expert blacksmith, and until his death 
made that trade the occupation of his life. He 
died in 1843, universally respected by all who 
knew him. The great-grandfather was a con- 
tractor, and during the "War for Independence 
furnished provisions and clothing for Washing- 
ton's arm}'. The sons of the grandfallier also 
early fitted themselves to earn a livelihood. The 
eldest, Ezra, was placed in a store to learn the mer- 
cantile business. Continuing in this employment, 
he accumulated a fortune, but later lost heavily by 
reverses. He died in Allegan County, Mich., to 
which locality he had removed in 1843. 

Ezra Chapman had two sons, Jacob and George. 
The former served bravely' as a soldier in the 
Thirteenth Michigan Infantry during the late 
Civil War, and, constantly exposed to liie priva- 
tions incidental to a military campaign, died dur- 
ing his term of enlistment. George survived until 
1868. The daughter, Rebecca, married George 
Nelson, also a soldier of the late war. Mr. Nel- 
son, although shot through the body during a fierce 
fight, survived, and is to-day a prominent agricul- 
turist and mill-owner of Allegan County. Will- 
iam, the second son of John Chapman, in compli- 
ance with the wish of his father, entered into rail- 
roading as a conductor on one of the first trains 
which ran out of Albany, N. Y. He remained in 
this business until his death, at twenty-six years of 
age. Joseph II., the father of our subject, learned 
the jeweler's trade in the little town where he was 
born. He then settled in the city of New York, 
but in 1843 decided to try his fortune in the West. 
Prospecting for a future permanent location, he 
traveled through Ohio, Michigan and Iowa, .ind 
finally settled upon the Wolverine Stiile for a fu- 
ture home. He obtained possession of a tract of 
land in Martin Township, Allegan County, and 
about the same time opened a jewelry shop. The 
farmers had but little use, however, for his wares or 
services In that line, and he concluded to try black- 
smithing for a time, although the only kiiowh;<lge 



he had of the trade had been gained bj- watching 
his father at the anvil. 

Joseph Chapman was later a leading merchant of 
Otsego, Allegan County, and was extensively in- 
terested in large bodies of land. In 1843 he 
became the owner of landed estates near Easton, 
Md., and also for some time engaged in mercantile 
business in that locality-. During the early days 
of the .Stale, the father, a strong Democrat, took 
a leading part in the local politics of Allegan 
County, where he served with ability as Sheriff one 
term, lie was also Supervisor, and was numbered 
among the substantial men and public-spirited citi- 
zens. The father and mother were married in 
Michigan, but Mrs. Annie (Casson) Chapman was a 
native of Canada, and a daughter of John Casson, 
an Englishman by birth. While in his native land, 
the maternal grandfather was employed in Siief- 
field as a maker of knives and scissors. Mr. Casson, 
arriving in America, settled in Canada, but later 
removed to the United States, and located on a 
farm in Martin Township, Allegan County, Mich. 
The mother was one of a family of six children, 
four sons and two daughters. One brother died 
3'oung, another was killed bj^ lightning; John 
and Edward are living, the former being a success- 
ful farmer at Plainville, Mich., and the latter, at 
one time a leading contractor of Michigan, is now 
an extensive farmer in Oregon. 

Although the only son of his parents, our sub- 
ject had four sisters, all of whom are now de- 
ceased, one passing away in infancy. Sarah U. 
became the wife of David Carl, proprietor of a 
sawmill. Mrs. Carl, dying at the .age of twenty- 
eight, left two children, .\nnie \. and Mary II. 
Chapman died aged twent}- and twenty-two, re- 
spectively. Mr. Chapman, who attained to man- 
hood in his native town, spent the days of boy- 
hood mostly in study, although he also assisted in 
his father's store at leisure times. He was gradu- 
ated from the Ot.sego (Mich.) High School while 
under twenty years of age, and soon afterward lo- 
cated in Kansas City, where he received employ- 
ment as baggageman on a railroad. Later he 
taught school one term, near Lawrence, and com- 
pleted the balance of the year as a book-keeper 
; and manager of a store in Kansas City. He theu 



486 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



returned to Micbigan, and for a time devoted him- 
self to the grocery business. Our subject finally 
obtained a tract of pine land. For a time lie 
taught school near Big Rapids, but some time 
later removed to Allegan County-, and afterward, 
in the spring of 1872, came to AVhitehall, and 
for three years he was emplo3'ed here as book- 
keeper. At the expiration of this time, Jlr. Chap- 
man once more sought his native count}', and 
there engaged in the mercantile and mineral 
spring business. Afterward he operated a large 
farm at Ilesperia, and also taught school for six 
months, but in April, 1880, made Whitehall his 
permanent home. 

For SIX years o>ir subject continued in the service 
of a laige insurance agency, and then established 
himself in the same business, also handling real es- 
tate and giving a portion of his time to the steam- 
ship agency. A popular man, of excellent execu- 
tive abilit}', Mr. Chapman was appointed Postmas- 
ter of Whitehall under Cleveland's first administra- 
tionand served with fidelity until April, 1892. In 
the same spring he was placed in noiiination by 
his party as Supervisor, but the strength of the Re- 
publican party seemed to forbid his election. So 
great, however, was tlie poinilanty of our subject, 
that he easily won the race and, re-elected to the 
responsible position in the spring of 189.'5, has ma- 
terially aided in the advancement of the best in- 
terests of his home locality. 

In 1874, were united in marriage .lohn II. Chap- 
man and Miss Frances A. Haker, daughter of 
Thomas R. Baker, a native of England. The 
mother of Mrs. Chapman was born in Wales. The 
estimable wife of our subject is a favorite with a 
large circle of friends, and is ever a ready aid in 
social and benevolent matters of her vicinity. 
Three children have blessed with their bright pres- 
ence the home of Mr. and Mrs. Chapman. Flor- 
ence M., the eldest, is a young lady of eighteen; 
Lizzie M. is sixteen years of age; and Lee M. is a 
promising boy of twelve. These young peojjle, 
intelligent and ambitious, are enjoying the excel- 
lent educational facilities of Whitehall, and iiave 
before them the juospect of a prosperous future. 
Our subject is fraternally a prominent memlier of 
the Ancient Free & Accepted Masons, and, likewise 



connected with the Independent Order of Odd 
Fellows, has passed one chair of the same order 
and worthily filled various otHces in the camp. 
He is also an honorar_v member of the Maccabees. 
While not connected by membership with any 
church, our subject contributes liberally to the 
support of religious organizations. Politically, a 
life-long Democrat, and a descendant of .laek- 
sonian ancestrj-, Mr. Chapman is an ardent advo- 
cate of the "Party of the People," and, aside from 
considerations of creed or political preference, fully 
commands the high regard of the entire commu- 
nity of Whitehall. 



,^=0. 



^^ AMUEL MOrXTFORD is not only one of 
^^^ tlic re|)iesentative citizens of the county, 
lint as a business man is shrewd, practical 
and far-seeing, well qualined to discharge 
the necessary duties of life and well adapted to 
the active life he has led. He is at present Justice 
of the Peace of Olive Township and is a merchant 
and the Postmaster at West Olive, .^lich. ]\Ir. 
Mountford came originally from England, boni in 
Burtlem, Staffordshire, August 23, 18:57, and is the 
youngest of six children l)orn to the union of 
George B. and Elizabeth (Roy) Mountford, natives 
also of that country. The father was a turner in 
a pottery in England, and there resided until 1847, 
when he decided to come to America. He settled 
in La Orange, Walworth Count>', Wis., and there 
purchased eighty acres of (TOvernment land, fol- 
lowing' agricultural pursuits until his death, which, 
occurred about 1804. His wife had passed aw.ay 
in 1811), leaving six children: Thomas, who resides 
in Minnesota; Esther, widow of George Austin, of 
White Water, Wis ; George B., who died leaving 
a family of children; Edna, widow of Itenjamin 
O. Bradway, of .Milwaukee, Wis.; Aaron, who 
died in Iowa; and Samuel, our subject. 

Samuel Moiintfoid received his early educa- 
tional traiiiiiiir in ICuijIaiid and Wisconsin, and 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



487 



liiiisliod ill the I!i'i;li School of Palm vra. tliat State. 
Tlic iiareiital loof sliclteied liiin until twenty years 
of age, wlien he started out to make his fortune. 
For some time he was engaged in tilling the soil in 
Wisconsin, luit in the year I8(il his patriotism was 
aroused, and in Scptemlier of that year he joined 
the Fifth Wisconsin Battery of Light .\rtillery, 
under Capl. (). F. Pinney, and was attached to the 
.\rmy of the Cumlierland. Ilo partici|>atcd in Is- 
land No. 10, siege of Corinth. Perry villc and 
Stone River, besides numerous skirmishes, lie 
served from the time of enlistment until Octoliei- 
1>5, 1864, when he was discharged at Madison, 
Wis., his term of enlistment heing u|>. He was 
neither wounded nor captured, though he had 
many close calls. On one occasion the Confederates 
charged and cai)tured a gun at Stone River, and 
while figliting for it a Confederate soldier struck 
Mr. Mountford over the top of the head with his 
gun. This laid the scalp open, and as a conse- 
quence a large .scar ornaments the top of Mr. 
Mountford 's head. 

After being discharged our subject went to the 
village of Johnstown, where his wife had purchased 
a home during his absence, and there he again en- 
gaged in farming, which occupation he followed 
for nian^' years. In 1808 he came to Michigan, 
located in Georgetown Township, Ottawa County, 
and there resided until 1877, when he moved to 
Olive Township, the same county. In this town- 
ship he purchased a farm of eight}^ acres, has forty 
acres under cultivation, and lias an elegant resi- 
dence. All his outbuildings, barns, etc., are kept 
in good repair and he has a most attractive home, 
lie has a good orchard of nearly all kinds of fruit, 
but having been appointed Postmaster at West 
Olive, he moved to that town on the 21st of De- 
cember, 1891. lie still holds that position and 
also that of .lustice of the Peace, to which he was 
elected in 1887 and again in 1891. 

Mr. Mountford has been twice married, lirst on 
the (>th of April, 1«58, to Miss Sarah A. Westbury, 
a native of Rochester, N. Y., and the daughter of 
Kdward and Ann Westbury, natives of England. 
Tins union resulted in the birth of live children, 
two of whom died in infancy. Iliram E. resides at 
No. T)!) I West Thirteenth Street, Chicago; Bvron 



A., at No. 912 Taylor .Street, Chicago; and War- 
ren R. lives in Millbank. X. I). Jlrs. Mountford 
died on the 1.5th of SeiUember, 1872, in full com- 
iiiunion with the Methodist Episcopal Church, of 
which she had long been a member. On the 22d 
of .March, 1877, .Mr. .Mountford married Mrs. 
Eliza Brooks, widow of Charles C. Brooks, and 
daughter of Luther and Hannah L. Brown, who 
were among the lirst settlers of this portion of the 
county. By her first husband Mrs. Mountford be- 
came the mother of three children: 'ieorge. of this 
township; Agnes, wife of Frank Willey, of Chi- 
cago. 111.; and Lucinda, wife of <i. II. Flieman, of 
this township. Mr. Mountford is a member of 
the Grange, and also a member of William Thir- 
kettle Post No. 388, (i. A. R. 



^^ 




=^» 



RED P. CLARK, who resides in Twin Lake, 
is one of the honored veterans of the late 
war who for several yeai-s wore the blue 
and aided in defense of the Old Fl.ag which now 
Hoats so proudly over the I'nitcd Nation. He 
was born in Allegany County. N. V.. .lanuary 13, 
1843, and is a son of Aniazi and So|ihroiiia (Ben- 
nett) Clark. His grandfather, Thesial Clark, was 
born in New England and was of Irish descent. 
He was a millwright and general mecliaiiicand fol- 
lowed that business through life. His wife dieil in 
New York, after which he went to make his home 
with his son in .lanesville, Wis., where his death 
occurred. Their children were Ainazi, Iliram, 
Horace, Smith and two who died in early childhood. 
The father of our subject, born in New York in 
October, 1815, w.is educated in the district schools 
and learned the trade of a millwright. He remained 
with his parents until twenty-one years of age and 
soon afterwards he married Sojihronia Bennett, 
daughter of Andrew Bennett, one of the Revolu- 
tionary heroes. Their children wer»' Oraniel, Fred .1., 
Andrew B., George, and Eli/.a, wife of .lolm Terry. 
After his marriage, Mr. Clark purchased a farm in 
New Yiirk. upon which he resided until 1S.'>7, when 



488 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



he removed to Caynga County, N. Y., and followed 
his trade until 1865. He then went to Oil County, 
Pa., where he spent three j-ears, after which he re- 
turned to the State of his nativity, where he is now 
living retired. His wife died in Olean, Cattaraugus 
County, N. Y., in 1884, and he afterward married 
Miss Fuller. Mr. Clark is a member of the Prot- 
estant Baptist Church., and in politics is a Demo- 
crat. 

The subject of this sketch remained with his par- 
ents until entering the aimy at the age of nineteen. 
He enlisted in Company E, Fifth New York Cav- 
alry, in 1861, and was in the Eastern Array under 
Gen. Banks, participating in the battles of Win- 
chester, Spottsj'lvania Court House, Orange Court 
House, second battle of Bull Run, Marvian Hill 
and Gettysburg. He was wounded witli a sabre at 
Orange Court House and was captured between 
Hagerstown and AVilliamston. At Belle Isle, where 
he was first taken, lie remained for eight months, 
and was then sent to Andersonville, where be re- 
mained for six months and fifteen days. There he 
had charge of a squad at the stockade and proved 
of great assistance to the prison sufferers bj' divid- 
ing his rations with them. Sometimes the troops 
were almost starved and so ravenous did the}' be- 
come that on one occasion they killed a dog for 
food. Mr. Clark had charge of five hundred small- 
pox patients in the prison hospital for three montlis, 
but never suffered from the disease. With three 
comrades he made his escape from the stockade, but 
the}' were recaptured by blood hounds. At length 
he succeeded in escaping by getting in tlie Union 
ranks at the time Siierman exchanged prisoners. 
Broken down by the hardship of war and the ill- 
treatment of prison life, when mustered outat Ce- 
dar Creek in October, 1864, he was a physical 
wreck. 

On his return from the army, Mr. Clark was em- 
ployed in a sawmill on the Alleghany River, in 
New Y'ork, and has continued the milling business 
during the greater part of liis life, but since 1890 
has practically lived retired. In 1868, he left his 
native State, and, coming to Michigan, made a 
permanent location in Muskegon County. Since 
1868, he lias lived in Twin Lake. Having home- 
steaded eighty acres of land, for the past three 



years he has devoted his energies entirely to its 
cultivation and improvement, and the farm now 
jields him a good income. 

In the Empire State, Mr. Clark and Miss Hattie, 
daughter of Rollin and Susan (Fiveret) Pratt, were 
united in marriage. Seven children were born of 
their union, but tliree died in cliildliood. Those 
living are Frank, who married Emma McQueen; 
Charles, who married Myra McCrai; Fred A., who 
wedded Effle Buzzell; and Hattie M. Tlie parents 
held membership with the Metliodist Episcopal 
Church. Socially, our subject is connected with 
the Masonic fraternity of Olean, N. Y'., and with 
Dick Wiiiteliead Post No. 342, G. A. R., of Twin 
Lake. In politics, he is a supporter of the 
principles of Republicanism and is now serving as 
.Tustice of the Peace, which office he has held for 
six years. During the quarter of a century which 
he has spent in Muskegon County, he has formed 
a wide acquaintance, and his lionorable, upright 
career has gained him the good-will and confidence 
of all. 



-^^^l 



<Q 



OHN STEGEMAN, an enterprising general 
agriculturist and well-known citizen, and 
for the past three years an active member 
1^/ of the School Board of Holland Township, 
Ottawa County, Mich., is a native of the Wolver- 
ine State and was born on the same farm where he 
now resides April 24, 1859. His parents, Mannes 
and Cornelia (Van Delaare) Stegeinan, weie both 
natives of Europe. The paternal grandfather, 
•Tames Stegeinan, lived in the province of Overvssel, 
in the Netherlands, lie owned and cultivated a 
farm and reared a large family of sons and daugh- 
ters, of whom the father of .Tohn Stegeinan was 
the only one who ever came to the United States. 
The father remained with his parents until about 
thirty years of age. He received a good common- 
school education and learned the carpenter's trade, 
serving an apprenticeship of three years. He am- 
bitiously emiiiiated to the United States in 1847, 
and reaching port in safety journeyed at once to 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



■180 



llollnnd, Mich., liaving only money enough to get 
here. Workintr at his trade in Ildllanil. and for 
two years employed at l)ld Landing, on lllack 
Uiver, Mannes Stegcman accnniulaled a little 
money, wliich lie wisely invested in forty acres of 
land in the southwestern part of Holland 'l\>wn- 
sliiii. I>ater, selling his first purchase, he bought 
where our subject now lives. 

The father married about two years after mak- 
ing his residence in Michigan Miss Alice Knsing, 
wlio died six months after her wedding. Some 
time later were united .Mannes Stegeman and 
Cornelia Van Del.iare, the daughter of Peter A- 
and JLiry Van Delaare. I'nto the union of the par- 
ents were born seven children, all <jf whom are liv- 
ing: .lane, who married Benjamin Kockkock; Peter; 
.lames; Rev. Abraham, an elofjuent preacher of the 
Ueformed Church of North Holland; .John ; Kgbert- 
dina. wife of Gerrit Looman; and Rev. William, 
of (irand View, .S. Dak. William is a graduate of 
Hope College, and Abraham and AVilliam both 
graduated from New Brunswick (N. J.) College. 
The father [jurchased eighty-five acres of land, 
all in the woods, and lived to see it improved 
and put under fine cultivation. He was a devout 
member of the Reformed Church of Holland, and, 
politically, was a Democrat. For ten years an effi- 
cient member of the School Board, Mannes Stege- 
man identified himself with the vital interests of 
his American home. Horn in 1819, he survived 
until May 9,1889, and at three-score years and 
ten passed peacefully away, mourned as a iiublic 
loss. The mother, born in 1826, yet survives and 
enjoys fairly good health. 

The education of our subject was received in 
the common schools of his immediate neighbor- 
hood, and he has made his life-time home upon 
the old farm, cultivating the fertile acres Ijought 
by his father so many years ago. Mr. Stegeman 
married, in 1885, Hannah Kamps, daughter of 
Geert and .lacobje (N'eymier) Kamps. The estima- 
ble wife of our subject was likewise born in Hol- 
land Township, Ottawa County, her parents emi- 
grating from the Netherlands to Holland, Mich., 
a few years later than the father of Mr. .Stege- 
man. Kour sons have brightened the pleasant 
home: Manlev,Gebliard, lleriii:\n .lames :im(1 I'aul. 



Mr. and Mrs. .Stegeman are foremost in good 
work, and our subject is a valued member of the 
Reformed Cliurchat Zeelaiiil. Politically a Demo- 
crat, Mr. Stegeman takes a deep interest in both 
local and national issues, and, young and enter- 
prising, occupies a leading place in the home 
councils of the party, and, widely known, com- 
mands the high regard of the community amid 
which his busy years of usefulness are passed. 



•}■ •{':=•{• 



jOHX A. .MILLKU, the extensive wholesale 
and retail dealer in hardware and farming 
^,.,,1 implements, desirably located at No. 2:) 
^^^ Ha,st Western Avenue, Muskegon, h:vs for 
seventeen years prolitably conducted his present 
business, one of the best in its line of trade in the 
county. Born in the city of Chicago September 
27, 1845, Mr. Miller made his home in Muskegon 
in 1867, and, an energetic and resolute 3'oung man, 
entered with enterprise iiit<i the advancing interests 
of the Wolverine Stale, where, continuing a con- 
stant resident, he has for twentj'-seven years been 
intimately associated with its upward grt)wtli. 

The father of our subject, Alexander Miller,was 
a native of Scotland and son of Nathaniel .Miller, 
who was born, reared and educated in the land 
of the .Scots, where he passed his entire life, 
there marrj'ing and rearing to usefulness a fam- 
ily of sturdy, upright descendants. Alexander 
Miller, intelligently discerning the broader ofjpor- 
tunities available in the United States, emigrated 
to this country and was numbered among the 
early settlers of Chicago, where he successfully 
engaged in business, married and reared a family. 
The mother, .\nna (Gray) Miller, born in Ireland, 
of a family highly respected in the Kmerald Isle, 
emigrated to America in youth and attained to 
mature age in the city of Chicago, of whose rapid 
development she w.-is an observant witness. 

J. A. Miller gained his education in the excel- 
lent public schools of his birthplace, and later 



490 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



enjoyed the benefit of a thorough course (com- 
mercial) in the Chicago lligli School. Having 
completed his studies, he learned the trade of a tin- 
ner, and for tliree years served an apprenticeship 
with Thomas George & Co., of Chicago. For a 
time after acquiring his trade Mr. Miller worked 
as a journeyman in the same locality, luit finally, 
in 1866, removed from the familiar scenes of his 
youth and made Michigan his permanent home. 
Here for ten years in Muskegon he worked indus- 
triously at his trade, but in 1876 embarked in the 
hardware business upon his own account. Being 
thoroughly practical and entirely at home in the 
details of the trade, the venture of our subject was 
from the first an assured success, and in the hand- 
ling of farming implements and merchandise he 
has achieved especially gratifying results. 

The large and handsome store of which .lohn A. 
Miller is proprietor is 44x12.5 feet and three stories 
in height and, built by our subject for the de- 
mands of his business, is light, airy and finely ar- 
ranged. Financiall}' prospered, Mr. Miller owns 
other valuable property in the residence part of 
Muskegon and is accounted one of the substantial 
men of the city. In 1863 he enlisted in Company 
G, Fourth Board of Trade Regiment, Chicago, 
commanded by Col. McChesney, and with the 
Army of the Cumberland participated in many of 
the decisive battles of the long campaign, after a 
courageous service of two years being mustered 
out at Chicago in 1865. 

Upon the .30th of October, 1867, .John A. Miller 
and Miss Isabella Galbraith were united in mar- 
riage. Mrs. Miller is a native of SeotUand and a 
daughter of .lames Galbraith the descendant of a 
long line of noted Scotch ancestry. Of the four 
children who have blessed the union of our sub- 
ject and his estimable wife two are now surviving: 
John A., Jr., a promising student in the Muskegon 
High School, and Donald, a bright young lad, an 
attendant of the grammar school. Mr. and Mrs. 
Miller are valued ineinbers of the Episcoital Church 
and active aids in the leligious and benevolent 
work of their denomination. Their ple.asant home. 
No. 2.5 Miller Avenue, Muskegon, is the frecjuent 
scene of social re-unions, the family enjoying a 
wide circle of old-time ac(iuaint;uicos and fully 



possessing the sincere regard and confidence of 
many friends. 

Mr. Miller is a member of the Old Settlei-s' As- 
sociation c)f Chicago and is fraternall}' connected 
with the Ancient Free & Accepted Masons, being 
a member of Lowell Moore Lodge No. 182, also 
affiliating with Muskegon Chapter No. 47, R. A. M. 
Our subject is likewise a member of Muskegon 
Council No. 54, K. it S. M. and is a member of 
Commandery No. 22, K. T. He is a member of 
Kearney Post No. 7, G. A. R., and is a popular 
member of the Caledonian Society. Possessed of 
executive business ability and enterprise, INIr. 
Miller aided in the organization of the ^Muskegon 
Savings Bank, was its efficient Vice-Pre-sident 
three years and is now a Director. Politically a 
stanch Republican, he has ever been intimately 
associated with matters of public welfare, and 
from 1884 to 1886 as President of the Council 
of Muskegon materially aided in the promotion 
of local enterprise and improvements. 



■*-=^^>^^<^-=- 



'^f OHN J. NABER, a representative general 
I I agriculturist and enterprising citizen of sec- 
^^A ] tion 35, Holland Township, Ottawa County', 
1^/' Mich., is a native of the Wolverine State, 
and was born on the same farm where he now re- 
sides in the year 1855. Our subject is a son of 
Johanas and Anna (Devries) Naber, well-known 
and long-time residents of Holland. The iiatcrnal 
grandparents were .lolin and Cora (\'aiulerscheer) 
Naber. The grandfather worked by the dsiy as a 
farmer, and lived and died in the Netherlands. 
The father, born in the Old Country May 17, 1813, 
owned a small farm, but was obliged to work by 
the day for others to eke out a living for his fam- 
ily. Entering the service of the (iovernment as a 
soldier, he was thus registered: "Reddish face, round 
forehead, eyes brown, nose natural, hair black, no 
marks on body." Entering the Eighteenth Regi- 
ment he received his discharge September 15, 
183'.l. He married in the Netherlands, and unto 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPmCAL RECORD. 



491 



liini and his estiiiiitlilc wifi' were liorii in tlif Old 
C'omitrv two c'liildreii, one of whom died in the 
Neliierlands and theotiier passed away while cross- 
ing the ocean. He emigrated to the United States 
in 1848, locating at once in Holland Township, 
Ottawa County, where he immediately purchased 
the farm upon which our subject now resides, 
fort^-five acres of (iovernment land, from which 
not even one tree had been cut. 

The father slept for thirty days in a bush shantj' 
while looking for land and building a little one- 
room house from trees felled on his own acres. To 
the original purcliasc he added forty acres more, 
all now cleared, cultivated highly, and improved 
with excellent buildings. Of the five children 
born unto the parents, our subject is now the only 
one surviving. The father was a member of the 
church, a devout Christian man, and dying in Oc- 
tober, 1892, preceded his wife but a few months to 
the better land, the mother passing away .luly 17, 
1893. Politically a Kei)ublican, the father was a 
liberal-spirited citizen of broad views and earnest 
purpose. Five years ago the parents left the farm 
and moved to Holland, .lune 29, 1888. Two years 
later they removed to Zeeland, where they remained 
until their death. 

Our subject received his education in the com- 
mon schools of his home district and remained 
with his parents until he had attained manhood. 
He was married at the age of twenty-one, upon his 
birthday, to Miss Alice, daughter of Johanas and 
Gertie (IJoss) Hellenthal. The excellent wife of 
our subject was Ijorn in Fillmore Township, Ottawa 
County, in 1854. Her parents, natives of the 
Netherlands, emigrated to the United States in 
1818. Five intelligent children have brightened the 
pleasant home of Mr. and Mrs. Kaber. One little 
one, Cora, died November 9, 1888, at the age of 
two years and four months. The surviving daugh- 
ters and son are in the order of their birth: Anna, 
.luhaii.is, Gertie anil Cora. 

Mr. Naber remained with his father, aiding in the 
management and work of the farm until 1888, 
when he entered iiil<» full possession of the home- 
stead, contiiining eighty-dve acres, all ijnproved. 
Mr. and Mrs. Naber aii' valued members of the 
Kefoiiiu'd Cliuicli, arc active in religious work, 



and are ever read.\- to i\i> their part in the benev- 
olent enterprises of their home locality. Politic- 
ally a Republican, our subject is interested in local 
advancement, and is numbered among the leading 
men and substantial citizens of Holland Township. 



li 1 1 p 1 1 I I 1 



ILLIAM W. OWEN is one of the enter- 
prising and progressive business men of 
W^l Muskegon, who gives his support anil aid 
to all worthy local enterprises, and does all in his 
power to advance the best interests of the com- 
munity. He is nitw engaged in the real-estate and 
insurance business, and his lal)ors bring him in a 
good return. His home is situated at No. 167 
South Terrace Street, where he and his estimal)le 
wife keep open house, their home being the abode 
of hospitality. 

The life record of our subject is as follows: He 
was born in Sussex County, N. J., on the 15th of 
August, 1840, and is a son of Alpheusand Frances 
(Hinchm.an) Owen, both of whom were natives of 
New York. The father died in New .lerse^', when 
his son William was a lad of only live summers. 
Our subject spent the days of his boyhood in the 
county of his nativit}', and there began his educa- 
tion in the common schools. At the age of lif- 
teen he came to Michigan with his mother, loca- 
ting in Oakland County, where his education was 
completed. He there began his business career as 
a clerk, and in .September, IHOo, he came to .Mus- 
kegon, where he engaged in clerking for two years. 
On the expiration of that period he formed a i)art- 
nership with S. H. Peck, his former employer, and 
continued in general merchandising, which busi- 
ness they carried on for some time. 

In 18()3, Mr. Owen was united in marriage with 
Jliss Armina F. Hoyce, a native of Upper Canada, 
and iinlo llii'iii were born three children, but ail 
are now decejised. The year after his marriage, 
Mr. Owen received the appointment of Postm.aster 
of Muskegon, and was the (Irst Pftstmaster of Mus- 
kegon wlu)sc appoint men I w.as conrniin'il by the 



492 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Senate. On the expiration of liis first term he was 
re-appointed, and held tlie office for five years al- 
together, when he resigned. It was also Mr. Owen 
who drew the first postofflce order in this place. 
After handing in his resignation he opened a sta- 
tionery and book store and carried on business in 
that line for several years, but at length sold out, 
in May, 1886, and began his present business, 
which he has conducted successfully since. He is 
recognized as one of the leading real-estate and 
insurance agents of Muskegon. Mr. Owen built 
the first brick and stone building in this city, and 
in other ways has been prominently identified 
with its upbuilding and advancement. 

In political views our subject is a Republican, 
and for three years served as Chairman of the 
Board of Supervisors. He is now Chairman of 
the Building Committee which has in charge the 
erection of the new court house, which is now in 
process of construction. Socially, he is a member 
of Muskegon Lodge No. 140, A. F. & A. M.; Mus- 
kegon Chapter No. 47, R. A. M., and Muskegon 
Commandery No. 22, K. T. He also belongs to 
Muskegon Lodge No. 92. 1. O. O. F. He has 
passed all the chairs in the Grand Encampment 
and the Grand Lodge of Michigan, has been Grand 
Patriarch of the same and is Grand Representa- 
tive to the Sovereign Grand Lodge. Mr. Owen is 
also Secretary of the Local Board of the Capital 
Investment Building and Loan Association, and 
throughout the community is widely and favor- 
ably known. 



(f/ KNHY .1. 1)K VRIKS. This prominent and 
I energetic young agriculturist of Holland 
Townsliip was born in 18(>.'), one mile and 
)\ a-lialf from section 22, where he now resides. 
He is a son of .lohn and Kverdina (Rysdorji) 
Do \'rles, and the grandson of liernard and Alice 
Do \ lies, both i)ar('nls and grandpaionts natives 
of the Nelherlands. Bernard DcXries fiillowed 



the occupation of a farmer, and was the owner of 
considerable land in his native country. He was 
married there, and before emigrating to the United 
States two of his children were bc>rn, .Tohn and 
Jerry. 

In 1847, the famil)' crossed the ocean, hoping 
to achieve success in the New World. The3' had 
just enough money to carry them across the 
Atlantic, and as it took them six weeks to make 
the voyage they landed in New York with very 
little means. The fertile soil of the West tempted 
them to turn their faces in that direction, and 
they found their way to Holland, Mich., where 
they bought forty acres of land, one and a-balf 
miles east of our subject's residence. One child, 
Bernard, was born after reaching this eountiy.. 
This worthy and much esteemed old couple are 
still living, and both have reached the advanced 
age of eighty-eight years, having married at the 
age of twenty-five. Mr. De Vries is a consistent 
member of the First Reformed Church of Zeeland, 
and he and his wife have ever been classed among 
the best and worthiest citizens of the community. 

John De ^'ries, the father of our subject, first 
saw the light of day in 1836. He received his ed- 
ucation principally in the common schools of the 
Netherlands. Until twenty jears of age he re- 
mained under the parental roof, and then married 
Miss Evordina Rysdorp, who came with her parents 
from the Netherlands to this country at an early 
date. After marriage, Mr. DeYries bought sixty 
acres of land in this township, near his father's 
farm, and as the property was wild and unculti- 
vated, he began at once to improve and make 
a home. To the original tract he added from 
time to time, until he became the owner of one 
hundred and ninety-five acres in Ottawa County. 
In addition to this he acf|uired eighty acres in 
Muskingum Coiinly, and this he owns at present. 

Renting his land, Mr. DeYries embarked in the 
milling business on the farm now owned by our 
subject, and was engaged in this enteriirise for 
twenty-live yeiirs, reaping substanli;il results in 
the mean time. Later he engaged in milling in 
Antiim County, and finally bought the entire 
null and stock. This iiiiU and two IniiHlred thou- 
sand feel of luinlier were destrovi'd by tiie in .hini-. 



POKTRAIT AND UR)GHA1M1'CAL RECORD. 



403 



1893, and as there was no insurance all was lost. 
Mr. I)e Vries and his worthy wife maite their home 
in (irand Rapids Micii. Tlie five ciiildren born to 
llK'ni were in the order of their birtli: IJenjamin 
a dentist residing in Holland; Minnie, widow of 
J. Moerdyk; Henry .!., our subject; Albert J., re- 
siding in (Iraiid Rapids; and Katie, the wife of Al- 
bert C. Keppel, of Holland. 

The original of tiiis notice was educated in the 
di.strict sciiools of his native county, and in Hope 
College, Holland. He was early trained to the 
arduous duties of the farm, and it was but natural 
that when sUirting out for himself he should 
choose agriculture for his calling in life. He was 
married in 1888 to Miss Dena, daughter of Wesley 
and Klizabeth Nibbelink, and two children have 
been given them, John W. and Elizabeth H. So- 
cially, our subject is a member of the Third Re- 
formed Churdi of Holland. In politics, he aflili- 
ates with the Republican party. He commenced 
farming operations as a renter, and now h.as control 
of one hundred and lifteen acres of his father's 
land. He is enterprising and progressive and will 
iindoubtedlv train success in life. 



il-^-i^li^^i^ 



,.^ LHERTUS VANDKR HAAK, a prosperous 
(^O general farmer, highly respected citizen, 
IL and the Township Clerk of Holland, C)t- 
(i®^ tawa County, was elected in I87',t .Justice 

of the Peace, and for twelve consecutive years ably 
discharged the duties of the ollice and gave general 
satisfaction to the entire community among whom 
he so wisely administered the law. Mr. Vander 
Haar. a native of the .Slate and county, was l)orn 
on the same farm which he now so industriously 
cultivates in tlie year ISoO. His parents, well- 
known residents of llie township, were Walter and 
Henrietla ( Dewcord) N'ander Haar. The father was 
a son of .lolin and Mary ((Iroothuis) Vander Haar. 
Tlie pateriKil lirandfal her owned land, upon which 
ho conducted successfully a <l:iiry liusmess. He 
reared to usefulness a family of eight children. 



five of whom emigrated to the United States. 
Hein resides in Ihjlland; Grace is the wife of 
John Visscher; Klizabeth, deceased, was the wife 
of A. Venema; and .Jane H. married Mr. Vandeberg, 
of Holland. Walter, the father of our subject, 
remained with his parents unit he had attained 
to mature years. He received a good common- 
school education, and as he grew older deter- 
mined to make his home in America. 

In 1841), in company with a brother and two 
sisters, all single, Waller V'ander Haar sailed for the 
United States. Possessed of but little means, the 
part3' embarked on a sailing-vessel and were sev- 
enty days crossing the ocean to New Orleans, where 
they finally landed safe and sound. In a short 
time Walter made his way to Si. Louis, where he 
spent one winter, working by the day. He then 
journeyed to Michigan, and, locating in Holland, 
bought eighty acres of land of Dr. \'an Raalte. 
Afterward selling that (arm, the father purch.osed 
the one hundred an I forty .acres of valuable land 
where our subject now makes his home. The land, 
then partially cleared, is now one of the finest 
farms in this section of the country, and presents 
an appearance of thrift and prosi)erity. In 1848 
Walter Vander Haar was united in marriage with 
Henrietta, the daughter of Albert and Jennie 
DeweOrd, natives of the Netherlands, who came to 
the United States with their family in 1847. The 
mother had been well educated in her native land, 
and, a woman of ability and fine characler, was 
well fitted to assume the cares of a family. 

.Six children blessed the home of llic parents. 
The eldest. Albcrtus, is our subject; Mary married 
G. Smeeng; the others are .lohn, Jennie, Christina 
(married to A.J. Bolks) and William. The father 
and his wife were active members of the Reformed 
Church of Holland, and were ever ready to len<l a 
heli)ing hand in religious or benevolent work. Po- 
litically a Republican, he took a deep interest in 
Governmental affairs, and, identifying himself 
with all the vital interests of his .\inerican liomf. 
w.as deeply mourned as a true citizen when he 
passed to his rest in 1H74. The mother, yet sur- 
viving and h.alc .and hearty, makes her home with 
our subject, who took ch.'iigc of the farm after the 
death of his father. .Mr. \ aniler Haar lijis added 



494 



PORTRAIT AND BIOORAPIIICAL RFX'ORD 



twentj^ acres to the original homestead, has planted 
out a large space in celer}', raises orrain and other 
[jrofUicls, and rents a portion of the land. He re- 
ceived a good education in the district schools, 
and as a private citizen and in the conduct of 
public offices entrusted to his care has proven 
himself a man of iiigii principle and executive 
ability. 



=-^^+^1 



'¥lf) ^' ^'" ^^ ^ ^' ^^ ^' ^'" ^OSKER is pastor of 
jlW^ the Thud Reformed Church, of Holland, 
!as \\\ Mich., and was born in the Netherlands, 
\;^ near tiie city of Utrecht, February 5, 1855i 
a son of Rev. Nicholas H. Dosker, a minister of 
the Christian Reformed Church of that country. 
In 1873 he came to America as pastor of the Sec- 
ond Reformed Cliurch of Grand Rapids, which 
position he held for ten years thereafter, when lie 
became pastor of the First Reformed Cliurch at 
Kalamazoo. While discharging his duties there 
he was called from his labors, his death occurring 
in 1887. His wife was Wilhelmina De Ronde, a 
descendant of an old and prominent Huguenot 
family, and tlieir union resulted in the birtii of 
nine children, of wliom the subject of this sketch 
was tlie tiiird in order of birth, only three of the 
others now living. Rev. Nicholas II. Dosker was a 
very prominent cluucli worker and he co-opeiated 
in strengthening a large number of churches of 
his denomination throughout the State of Michi- 
gan wliicii iiad run down in memhcrsiiip, Ins ca- 
reer in this work being one of uninterrupted suc- 
cess. Ills widow survives him and is liviuy; at 
Grand Hapiris. 

Rev. Henry 1'^ Dosker received his early educa- 
tion in the gymnasium at Zwolle, Holland, from 
which well-known institution of learning he grad- 
uated in 1H7.!. iinmediatcl,\- after finishing his 
education he came to .Vnierica, and resided for a 
time at (Jrand Rapids, IMieh., after which he coii- 
llnui'<l III pui'suc llic pallis of learning at Hope 
College, ;uid from this iiistitulion he was also 



graduated, in 1876. When he came to this coun- 
try he could not speak a word of Knglish, but he 
was quick and intelligent, and was soon able to 
make himself understood in that most diflicult of 
languages. After finishing his literary studies in 
Hope College, he began the study of theology 
in that institution, and later in the Reformed 
Seminary, at New Brunswick, N. .T. In April, 
187'J, he graduated from McCormick Seminar^', a 
Presbyterian institution, after which he traveled 
in Europe for about si.x months. Upon his return 
he located at P^benezer, Mich., as pastor of the Re- 
formed Church, which position he filled from 1879 
until February-, 1882, when he was called to the 
First Reformed Church at Grand Haven, of which 
he remained pastor until August, 1886. He then 
became Professor of Historical Theology at the 
Western Seminaiy of the Reformed Church of 
America, at Holland, Mich. In 1888 he made a 
second tour through Europe, traveling thoroughly 
over the Netherlands and Germany, but gladly 
returned to his adopted country in 1889, and soon 
after accepted the position of pastor of the church 
with which be is at present connected. His labors 
in the vineyard of iiis Master have been earnest, 
conscientious and energetic, and he has succeeded 
in increasing the membeiship of his congregation 
until it now has about two liiiiidred and sixty 
members. The church is a handsome, convenient 
and well-constructed building, an ornament to 
the city, and is furnished with the finest pipe organ 
in the county. 

Rev. Mr. Dosker was first married September 19, 
1879, to Miss Frances L., a daughter of Henry 
Doorninck. She w.is born in Grand Rapids, and 
died on the 31st of May, 1880, and on the 21st of 
February, 1882, Rev. Mr. Dosker took for his second 
wife Miss Minnie, a daughter of I). Doorninck, 
and a cousin of his first wife. She was liorn in 
Milwaukee. Wis., and h;is lionic her liusliand three 
children: Emelia U., Nicholas H. ami Richard .1. 
Rev. Mr. Dosker is a man of refilled tastes, very 
highly cultivated, and is quite a gifted writer. lie 
has contributed to |)apei's, magazines, etc. His 
chief literary work is a biography of Dr. A. ('. \'an 
Raaltc, the foundi'r of Uic Dutch set tleinciit in 
Michigan. Our siilijcct is the clerk of the Coun- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



495 



cil of Hope College, in the welfare of which he is 
deeply interested. He has ministered to tlie spir- 
itual w.ants of his fellow-men for the past f<Mir- 
tecn years, and his career has been ever honiirablc 
and upright. During this time his name has 
been inseparably linked with the religious history 
of Micliigau, whose annals bear testimony to the 
integrit}' of his character and the brilliancy of his 
mental powers. He is a man of strong will, clear 
conceptions, generous impulses, and scrupulously 
mindful of the riglits of otliei-s. His life has been 
singularly pure, and all his acts are strongly char- 
acteristic of good, sound sense. His sermons arc 
terse in style, firm in diction, logical in thought, 
and yet free from all ostentatious display, being 
tilled with Biblical citations, historic references 
and earnest, religious pathos. He is a diligent 
student and a ripe scholar, and the world is de- 
cidedly better for his iiaving lived in it. 









^ILLIAM PKC'K, an enterprising business 
* man and leading hardware merchant of 
V^^ Montague, Muskegon County, Mich., is 
.alsoan efficient Supervisor of the township, and has 
held with faithful discharge of duty various im- 
portant oflicial positions of trust, and has long been 
closely indentitied with the progres^lve interestsof 
his home locality. Mr. Peck, a native of Oxford, 
Ontario, was born on liie 2()lii of March, 1813, 
and was the youngest of liic two sons of Lynus 
and Saraii(Khle) Peck. The father, born In Penn- 
sylvania In 180.J, was the eldest of the three sons 
of Jose|)li Peck, born In Connecticut in 175 I. 

The great-grand f.athcr. .\bram Peek, was the 
son of .)o>eph Peck, an Knglishinan by nalivily. 
but who early in the seventeenth century emi- 
grated to this country and settled in New Eng- 
land, in con)pany with two broili<'rs. one of wiiom 
wa.*) a preacher. 'I'he paternal gre;il-i;randfathcr 
was a brave soldier in the War of llie Uevolution. 
and it is said that his good wifi', .-ilso c!irr\ing a 
gun, fought with patriotism by Ills >i(le. The 
2.0 



grandfather, while yet young, emigrated from 
Connecticut to Pennsylvania and became a pros- 
perous farmer of the t^uaker State. He was a 
man of fine musical ability, and gained consid- 
erable notoriety during the War of 1812, in which 
he served as a lifer. On one occasion he came in 
close contact with a Tory, from whose hands he 
wrenched a musket, which he proceeded to use 
with good effect, playing his fife when it was nec- 
essaiy to Inspire the soldiers, and also loading and 
firing the gun. For this gallant conduct he was 
given the name of the "fighting fifer." He lived 
to witness nearly a century of the rapid progress 
•and development of the I'nited States, surviving 
until ninety-seven years of age, when he passed 
aw.ay near Rochester, N. Y. The father of our 
subject was separated in childhood from the other 
members of his family, and but very little is known 
concerning his two brothers. 

In 1831 Lynus Peck located in (irand Rapids, 
but soon returned to Canada, and remained there 
until the '50s, when lie brought his family to 
Michigan and settled in Van Buren County, where 
he resided for many years. Finally removing to 
Newaygo County, he passed away in that locality 
in 1871. He was a man of more than ordinary 
ability and of strong character, and, although 
often urged to accept a nomination to an ollice, 
positively refused to do so. .Sarah Flile, the mother 
of Mr. Peck, was the daughter of Sturnbuig Khle, 
who was of Holland descent. Born in Otsego, 
N. Y.. Mrs. Sarah (Khle) Peck, yet surviving, lives 
alone upon the old homestead in Newaygo Coun- 
ty, and although arrived at almost eighty years of 
age is well preserved and vigorous. Of the chil- 
dien who clustered about the fireside of the par- 
ents, .\hiam is now a prominent lumberman and 
an extensive farnier in Lewis County. Wash., 
Mahaia married .losepli De Haven, a succes.sful 
luiiUiennan and farmer of Newaygo County; and 
Koselta married Royal Riimmerfield, a prosperous 
general agriculturist of Michigan. 

Our subject was a boy of seventeen when, with 
with his parents, lie fouiul a permanent home in 
Michigan. What Mlioolliig he enjoyed he re- 
ecive<l before he w.as thiileeii years of age, as he 
then began to cam his dally bread by picking up 



496 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



cobblestones at ^i per moiilli. The first four 
years after the arrival of Mr. Peck in Michigan he 
worked out on a farm at very low wages, and in 
1863, when but twenty years old, journeyed to 
Kansas, where he received employment from the 
United States Government at Ft. Leavenworth 
as a scout on the Western frontier, in Kansas, 
Texas, Arkansas and New Mexico. He experi- 
enced many adventures and hair-breadth escapes 
from -scenes of peril. In 1865 Mr. Peck relumed 
to Michigan, and soon after married Miss Jennie 
Beattie, born in Canada, but of Scotch ancestry. 
For two j'ears our subject was engaged in tilling 
the soil in Van Buren County, and later was em- 
ployed for two years in the lumber camps of 
northern Michigan. He was afterward for one 
year in business in Dorr, Allegan County. Having 
picked up telegraphy in his spare moments, our 
subject secured work as operator at Grand Junc- 
tion, but after a time accepted a position as a 
conductor on the New Bufifalo Railroad to Mus- 
kegon. At the end of a twelvemonth Mr. Peck 
became the proprietor and manager of the Rail- 
road Eating House at Grand Junction, and for 
two years there provided for the wants of the 
traveling public. For thirteen continuous years 
he was connected with the lumber manufacturing 
business in various places, the latter (tart of the 
time being located near Montague. 

In 1885 our subject established his present gen- 
eral hardware and farming-implement business, 
and now conducts one of the largest stores and 
handles one of the most extensive stocks in this 
part of the Slate. Mr. and Mrs. Peck are the par- 
ents of three children. William M., married and 
the father of one child, is interested with our sub- 
ject in business; Edna B. and Eddie L. are at 
home. Politicall3', Mr. Peck, the descendant of an 
old Democratic family, is true to the precepts and 
princii)les of Thomas Jefferson, and wherever he 
has made his home has taken an active part in 
the local councils of the "Party of tlie People." 
In the face of Republican opposition he was elected 
to the responsible position of Supervisor, was 
Treasurer of the Democratic County Convention 
for two years. Justice of the Peace live years. 
Township Treasurer two years, and is a valued 



member of the Democratic County Central Com- 
mitttee. In the fall of 1892 our subject was a 
candidate in the convention for the nomination 
of Sheriff, but through a compromise withdrew. 
Fraternally, Mr. Peck is a prominent member 
of the Ancient Free & Accepted Masons, the 
Inde|)endent Or<ler of Odd Fellows, the Knights 
of Pythias, Royal Arcanum and the M.iccabees. 
He has passed the chairs in the Royal Arcanum, 
and was delegate to the Grand Lodge twice, and 
likewise delegate to the Great Tent of the Mac- 
cabees. In his business, social and fraternal rela- 
tions Mr. Peck commands universal esteem, and 
enjoys the sincere friendship of a host of acquaint- 
ances. 



,=^Q„ 



jOKUS KANTERS, editor. The man who 
c(' edits the Weekly Journal must be thorougli- 
5^ ly posted, wide-awake, and must understand 
the wants of his patrons to be successful, 
and that Rokus Kanters possesses these essential 
requirements cannot be doubted, for his paper, the 
De Hope, has a large circulation, and as it is pub- 
lished in the Dutch language, has an extensive 
patronage among the people of Ottawa County. 
Mr. Kanters was born at Goedereede. an island in 
the North Sea, between Brouwcrshavcn and the 
new waterway to Rotterdam, Holland, January 
5, 1826. His grandfather, father and tliiee hrolli- 
ers followed the profession of hydraulic engineer- 
ing, after the method especially adopted and prac- 
ticed in the kingdom of Holland for the con- 
struction of harbors, break-waters, dikes, cribs, 
levees, etc., and their services were often required 
in the construction of coast defenses and liarbor 
works by the Dutch Government. 

From the time Rokus Kanters was thirteen years 
of age until he was sixteen years old he assisted 
his father in numerous surveys along the coast, 
and was thoroughly instructed in mI! the details 
of coast and harbor works during Ihc summer 
months. His winters were spent in attending 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



497 



school, but after his sixteenth year his entire time 
was devoted to liarbor and coast con.-itniction. and 
when eighteen years old he was sufliciently well 
versed to superintend tiie construction of sev- 
eral minor works. When twenty years old lie 
was placed in charge of sonic important siiore 
construction on the island of Tien (lenieeten, and 
it was successfully carried on according to plans 
furnished by the Government engineers. In 1819 
his parents, who by frugality and industry had 
become well-to-do, caught the Western fever, and 
accordingly sailed for America, but at that time 
Hokus Kanters w.as not inclined to leave iiis na- 
tive country, and decided to remain and succeed 
to liis fatlier's former position, and in the fall of 
1848 he received his first contract, a work that 
Involved thirty thousand guilders and was of a 
very important nature. I'ntil 1862 he pursued 
this work along the coast of southern Holland 
and Zeeland, his work being always admirably 
done and showing an excellent knowledge of en- 
gineering. In 1802 he complied with the entreaties 
of his parents and came to America, but up to tlie 
present time has not entirely given up his old 
profession, but, on the contrary, has constructed 
several important works for the I'nited States 
Government at Ulack Lake, Mich.; Chicago, III.; 
on the Krazos River at Vela,sco, Tex.; lUiffalo, 
N. Y.; the I.«iiigh \'alley Railroad; Prospect Park; 
Coney Island, N. Y., and elscivhere. Not only 
have he and his sons made this branch of engin- 
eering their study and business for j'cars, but it 
may be truly said that there is no firm in the 
Tnited .Stales with a more thoroughly practical 
knowledge of their h\isiness than that iif H. Ran- 
ters <k Sons. 

During his residinice in llullimd. Mii-h.. .Mr. 
Kantere has become very favorably known as a 
useful, patriotic and (iod-fearing man. lie has 
been an AldcriiiaM of the city for two terms, and 
also Mayor for one term. He is an .active mem- 
ber of the Reformed Church, and has always taken 
a decj) intere.-.t in promoting its interests and 
growth, lie U:\< always manifested a great inter- 
cut in the suc<-c>.>< (if Hope Collcgi', (pf Holland, 
.Miili.. anti the cause of education Iims always 
found in huii a >t;iM(li .--iipportei-. Ilr i> liU'S.sv<l 



with a highly accomplished familj', consisting of 
his wife, five sons (all men of culture and prac- 
tical intelligence) and two daughters. He has 
ever been a shrewd and far-seeing man of busi- 
ness, keenly alive to his own interests, but never 
at the expense of others or of his own ideas of 
right and justice. He has numerous friends in 
his native land, and the circle of his friendship 
here is wide and constantly on the increase. 



^ 



^ 



CS^ 01. . T. S. W.\TS()N, the popular and genial 
proprietor of the Watson House, White- 
/' hall, Muskegon County, Mich., has furn- 
ished superior accommodations to transient guests 
and the local public in his present locality since 
1878. A man of excellent business ability, he has 
gained a host of friends and is a thoroughly courte- 
ous landlord, attentive and entirely at home in 
every detail of his daily cares. He was horn in 
Watertown, N. Y., .May 23, 184.5, and was the only 
son of 8. .1. 15. and Sylvia (Slate) Watson. His 
father, born in Dublin in 1814, emigrated from Ire- 
land to .\merica when quite young, settling in 
Watertown, N. Y. He had a sister who, when last 
heard from, w.as a music teacher in Montreal, 
Canada. 

The father was twice married, his first wife be- 
ing the mother of our subject. Sylvia Slate was 
born on (irand Stone Island, in the St. Lawrence 
River, her people liaving located on the island, 
which still remains among the possessions of the 
Slate family. The mother died when Col. Wat- 
son was but a little lad of five years, and the fa- 
ther by a second marriage had one son and one 
daughter. This son, S. II. Watson, was for sev- 
eral years Register of Deeds for Muskegon County, 
and now holds an ollice in the Pension Depart- 
ment at Washington. .Mary Kllen. the half-sister, 
died at twenty-one years of age. 

The father of our subject, a teacher in his early 
life and later an architect of Washington, in 18;"i1 
removed to Michigan, :iii(l. laiHlinir at the mouth 



498 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



of White River, put a filing on the first piece of 
land recorded in Muskegon County. As a con- 
tractor, he built the first sawmill at Ludington for 
George Ford, and was one of the prominent and 
enterprising pioneers of Muskegon Count}-. Oc- 
cupying various official positions of trust with 
efficiencj-, he served as .Justice of the Peace, was 
Supervisor, Sheriff before Muskegon Count}- was 
organized, and Postmaster under Buchanan. He 
died in 1885, leaving a valuable estate. His last 
wife yet survives him and resides in Montague. 
After the death of his mother our subject lived 
with his grandmother for four years, when, his 
father marrying again, he returned to him. 

The Colonel was eleven years of age when he 
accompanied his parents to Michigan, and while 
growing up literally worked in the wilderness, 
receiving but a common-school education. He 
was sixteen years of age when the war broke out, 
but pronii)lly at the demand of the Government 
for three iiundred thousand more, he enlisted, June 
15, 1861, in Company E, Second Michigan Cav- 
alry, Phil Sheridan's old regiment. He served in 
the Western Division of the army for a little more 
than a year, and August 27, 1862, was transferred 
to Company F, Fifth Michigan Cavalry, and the 
Septemljer following was sent to Wasliington. He 
was then detached from his command and detailed 
to the lieadquarters of Gen. Kearny .as Corps Dis- 
|)atch Courier, a most important position of trust 
for a bo}' in his teens. Later, Col. Watson was 
appointed on the staff of Gen. Custer as Dispatch 
Courier, and afterward was Corps Dispatch Cour- 
ier for Gen. Kilpatrick, and finally became Dis- 
patcli Courier for the Army of the Potomac under 
Gen. King. 

On October 1(», 1863, when Lee and Longstreet 
advanced on the Fnion army a second time, at 
Ihandy Station, Mr. Watson was taken prisoner and 
thrown into Libby. From Libby he was trans- 
ferred to Thunder Castle, and thence to Belle Isle, 
where he endured most terrible privations and 
sufferings during the early part of the cold winter 
of 18G4. He was finally sent to Andersonville, 
where he endured tortures for eleven months. Tlie 
advance of llie I'nion arm}' obliged the Confed- 
erates to cliange llio ipiartcrs of tlieir piisoucrs, 



and witli many others our subject was forwarded 
to Kahoba, Ala., Savannah, Ga., Charleston, S. C, 
Sullivan's Island, and thence to Florence, S. C. 
They were finally lodged in Salisbury, N. C.,from 
which place they were at last liberated by the raid 
of Stoneman, who set free at least seventeen hun- 
dred wretched prisoners. When freed after eigh- 
teen montlis of cruel imprisonment, our subject 
was literally reduced to a skeleton. Sent on to 
headquarters, he was accorded a furlough and re- 
mained at home until ,Iuly 12, 1865, when he was 
discharged by telegraphic order from Washington, 
having served faithfully over four years. 

Col. Watson embarked in the steamboat busi- 
ness on White Lake soon after, and continued in 
the same until 1868, when he went to W\atertown, 
N. Y., and joined a party organized to go to the 
Black Hills. He was not long absent, however, 
from Watertown, but soon returning thither was 
united in marriage with Mrs. Eva Phelps, a widow, 
and the daughter of Dr. William .T. Lone, an old 
army surgeon. Mrs. Watson had two brothers 
and four sisters. The brothers are deceased. Belle 
married L. B. Sterling, son of Judge Sterling, 
now connected with the paper-mills of Watertown; 
Clara married Charles Gill, who is connected with 
the wagon-works at Watertown; Lottie married 
Thomas Brun, an attorney at Watertown. 

Immediately succeeding his marriage. Col. Wat- 
son with his wife located in Brockville, where he 
was in the contracting business, under the firm 
name of Watson & Comstock. For a number of 
years he was in the lumber and timber business, 
traveling through Canada, and later was engaged 
in the oil business between the Fnited States and 
Canada, up to 1878. At this latter date the Col- 
onel returned to Whitehall, and has since continu- 
ously devoted liimself to the hotel busines-s with 
prosperous results. During his busy career he has 
energetically made and unfortunately lost several 
fortunes. Five children blessed the home, three 
now living. Klla is the wife of J. W. Ocobock, 
Jr., teller of the Whitehall Savings Bank; Will- 
iam J. and Wordwell B. are connected with their 
father in tiie hotel business. September 21, 1892, 
the estimable wife and mother passed to her rest, 
nuiurnod bv a lar^e circle of sincere frientls. 



J>OfetllAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



499 



Politically, Col. Watson is a Uepubliean, and is 
a prominent Grand Army man. From his posi- 
tion in tlie post at Wiiiieliall, our .sul)ject re- 
ceived his title, by which he is known far and 
wide. He is a valued member of tiie Knisrhts of 
Honor and of the Independent Order of Odd Fel- 
lows, and is a Master Mason. A man of broad and 
generous soul, he commands the eoulidence and es- 
teem of all his fellow-townsmen and a large con- 
tingent of the traveling public. 




Peace, and for many years, as .School Inspector, 
has given valuable aid in the advancement of ed- 
ucational interests. The father of our subject, 
William Cornelius, a native of Dutchess County, 
N. Y., and born in about 1805, was, on the pater- 
nal side, a descendant of English ancestors, liis 
maternal forefathers being .sturdy and industrious 
Germans. One hundred and lifty-two years ago, 
upon Long Island, the branch of the Cornelius 
family to which our subject belongs made tiieir 
home. The father remained in the count}' of his 
birth until, at the age of twent3'-one, he was 
united in marriage with Miss Mary Ann Wood, 
with whom he then removed to Wayne County, of 
the Em|tire State, and for six years made his resi- 
dence in that locality. He then settled in Monroe 
County, in the town of Rush, twelve miles south 
of Rochester, and for three years sojourned there. 
At the expiration of that time he emigrated to 
Michigan and settled temporarily in Oakland 
County in 1851. At the close of atwelvcmonlh he 
removed to Adrian, Lenawee County-, where he 
died at a comparatively earl}' age. lie was a farm- 
er, and spent the latter years of his life in tilling 
the soil, but up to twenty-Hve 3'earsof age prosper- 
ously conducted the shoe business. His family con- 
sisted of four daughters and one son, all of whom. 



surviving, are, with the exception of our subject, 
residing upon farms in Lenawee County, Mich. 

.lohn M. Cornelius was born in Dutchess County, 
N. Y., and remained there until about two years 
of age. He later accompanied his parents to the 
West, locating in Michigan shortly after attain- 
ing his majority. He was primarily educated in 
the district schools of western New York, and 
completed his studies in the seminary at Luna, 
N. Y., afterward, at the age of nineteen 3ears, en- 
gaging in the profession of teaching. After teacli- 
ing for seven terms and giving satisfaction as an 
instructor, he later held a position in Adrian Col- 
lege for one year as Professor of .VNence and 
Mathematics. 

Mr. Cornelius entered the estate of matrimony 
in Oakland County, Mich., there being united in 
marriage with Miss Anna P. Russell, a teacher fif 
Detroit and daughter of well-known residents of 
Long Island. Our subject, married at tlu> age of 
twenty-live, then engaged in the manufacture of 
shoes in Adrian, Mich., and remained in the latter 
city fourteen years. Abandoning the shoe busi- 
ness on account of failing iiealth, Mr. (Cornelius, in 
1887, located on his present homestead, and en- 
tered into ngricultural ]>ursuits, prosperously cul- 
tivating a line variety of fruit. Originally own- 
ing three hundred and forty-six acres, he has since 
disposedof one hundred and live acies, and on the 
two hundred and forty-one remaining profitably 
raises a large variety of products, and furnishes 
for shipment some of the finest peaches and ap- 
ples grown in the State. The four sons and two 
daughters of the household are Charles S., Will- 
iam R., Anna Maria, Maiy liertha, Louis Alexis 
and Harold Comfort. Bertha is a successful teacher 
in Grand Rapids. Anna Maria is married. Charles 
is a skillful mechanic of Grand Rapids. William 
is a railroad man and now resides in Chicago. 
Louis is in the wholesale business in Chicago. 
Harold has for the |).ast two years been in Chicago, 
engaged in steam and gas fitting. 

Mr. Cornelius is the present .Secretary of the 
School Board, and, an ardent friend to extended 
education, has materially aided in the advance- 
ment of the scholarship and methods of instruc- 
tion in tlic district .schools of his home county. 



600 



PORTkAJT AND MOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Onr subject and his worthy wife and their family, 
except the youngest sons, are all professors of re- 
ligion, and are valued members of the Congrega- 
tional Church and take a leading part in the 
social and benevolent enterprises of that denom- 
ination. Politically a Republican from the organ- 
ization of the party, Mr. Cornelius is deeply in- 
terested in both local and national issues, and 
occupies a high place in the home councils of the 
party, where his executive ability and clear judg- 
ment are appreciated and iMy recognized. 



V_ 




ANDREW FLEiMINfl, the efficient book- 
keeper of Smith, Nims, Hoyt & Erwin, the 
\ widely-known and prosperous law firm of 
\0^ Muskegon, Mich., has been for a quarter 
of a century a leading resident of the citj', and 
for the two terms of 1889 and 1891 gave able 
service to the corporation as Alderman of the 
Fifth Ward. Our subject, a native of the city of 
Chicago, 111., was born January 29, 1859, and is 
the son of William Fleming, born and reared in 
old Ireland, and the descendant of industrious 
and upright ancestors, whose useful influence in- 
sured them a high position in their native land. 
The father enjoyed excellent educational advant- 
ages, and, a young man of enterprise and ambition, 
emigrated to America and settled in New York 
City, where he profitabl3' engaged in business as a 
contractor and builder. He later journeyed to 
the West and located in Chicago, which metropo- 
lis he made his home for twenty' continuous years. 
At the expiration of this length of time, in 1868, 
he removed to Muskegon, and here prosperously 
engaged in contracting and building until the 
time of his death, in 1874. 

Duringhisj'ears of residence in the latter citj', Mr. 
Fleming, Sr., made a large acquaintance and many 
friends, by whom Ids death was sincerely mourned 
as a public loss. He was, politically, a Democrat, 
and a firm belicvtr in the principles and platform 



of the party. In early manhood William was 
united in marriage with Miss Sarah Alexander, 
and his estimable widow, yet surviving, continues 
her residence in Muskegon. Our subject, spend- 
ing the da^s of his bojhood in his birthplace, at- 
tended the Chicago schools, and, accompanj-ing his 
father to Muskegon when fourteen years of age, 
afterward was graduated with honor from the 
Muskegon High School, in the Class of '76. Im- 
mediately upon the completion of his studies, Mr. 
Fleming received employment from Frank II. IIol- 
brook, with whom he remained for three years. 
Our subject then accepted a position in the office 
of the Chicago dr West Michigan Railroad, where 
he was engaged for some time. He later became 
book-keeper of theHackley Xaiional Bank of Mus- 
kegon, and continued with that financial institu- 
tion for a twelvemonth. 

In 1881, entering upon the duties of hispresonl 
position with one of the most prominent law firms 
of the Wolverine State — the partners widely known 
for their professional ability and success as plead- 
ers at the Bar — Mr. Fleming received full charge 
of all the books of the firm, and is in reality the 
business manager. Politically a pronounced Re- 
publican and an ardent advocate of the "Party of 
Reform," he has ever since attaining his majoritj- 
entered with entliusiasm into all the vital issues 
of the day, and has been among the young Re- 
publicans of his home locality a leader. Possessed 
of executive ability and a fluent speaker, his pres- 
ence in the political gatherings has animated the 
local party to renewed exertions and success. As 
the candidate of the Republican party for Al- 
derman m 1889 and 1891, he proved a favor- 
ite, and in the conduct of public work won the 
renewed esteem of liis constituents, in whose serv- 
ice he ever laboied diligently. While a City Fa- 
ther, Mr. Fleming aided in the promotion of pro- 
gressive- interests and urged onward the march 
of improvement which is giving Muskegon a 
prominent place among the first cities of the Wol- 
verine State. Our subject with his accomplished 
mother resides in the handsome family residence, 
No. 15'2 Terrace Street, and in business and social 
relations enjoys the confidence of a host of sincere 
friends. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPmCAL RECORD. 



&01 



Vt/ EONARD STICKNEY, by trade a carpenler 
'^^ and builder, and a suwessful general A"r\- 



M 



cullurist and fruit-grower of Ottawa Coun- 
ty, MIeii.. is one of the brave veterans of the late 
Civil War, and, an early resident and highly re- 
spected citizen of the Wolverine State, is widely 
known and highly esteemed by a large circle of 
old-time acquaintance. His fatlicr. David S. .Stick- 
ney, a native of Vermont, attained to mature age 
in the Green Mountain State, and received a good 
education in the excellent schools of his birth- 
pl.ice. Arriving at manhood, he married, and 
later, with his wife, made his home in Canada, 
where he took up about live hundred acres of 
land, which he diligently cultivated, and made 
tliereon substantial improvement. The following 
children gathered in the Canadian home: David, 
Jonathan, Parker and .lohn. I^ater the father 
married Hannah Pui-se, by whom he had three 
children, Leonora, Elizabeth and Mary Ann. All 
of the brothers and sisters are now deceased with 
the exception of our subject, the father of the 
family having also passed to his rest in 1H41, af- 
ter a long life of busy and enterprising industry. 

Our subject was born in Polten, Canada, and 
remained in the home of his childhood until he 
was nineteen years of age, well improving the 
advantages for instruction offered in the public 
Schools of the Dominion. Heginning life for him- 
self when less than twenty' years of age, he jour- 
neyed to Wisconsin and made the Badger State 
his home for the succeeding thirty-three years, 
his principal occupation during this time being 
carpentering and building. On April 22, 1867, 
were united in marriage I^eonard Stickney and 
Miss Charlotte Cook, a native of New York State, 
who, removing to the West, had settled in Wis- 
consin with her father and mother before the war. 
Our subject and his faithful helpmate have been 
blessed with the presence of three children, one, 
Willie, being deceased; Annie is the youngest- 
born and the only daughter; and Willard is the 
surviving son. 

In 18G1 Mr. Stickne3' entered the army and 
served under (Jen. lUiell, and actively partiei|)aled 
in the battles of Murfreesboro, Nashville and many 
other hoti v-contcsted fights of the caiiipaiiiii. Re- 



turning home at the close of 18G2,he remained for 
about six months, and then enlisted under Sheri- 
dan, and took part in all the engagements of the 
command, and shared the perils of the raid through 
the .Shenandoah Valley. At the close of the war 
again returning to Wisconsin, Mr. Stickney con- 
tinued his residence there until 1880, wlien he lo- 
cated permanently in Ottawa County, Mich., and 
purchased a valuable farm adjoining the city of 
Grand Haven. Upon the finely cultivated eighty- 
eight acres of this homestead our subject raises 
general farm produce and fruit, being especially 
successful as a horticulturist. 

Mr. and Mrs. .Stickney are both valued mem- 
bers of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and are 
eflicient aids in all religious work. Financially 
prospered, our subject, aside from his homestead, 
owns valuable i)roperty in the city of Grand 
Haven, and is numbered among the substantial 
farmers of Ottawa County. Politically, he is a 
Democrat, and an ardent advocate of the princi- 
ples and platform of the "Party of the People.' 
Although never a politician or office-seeker, Mr. 
Stickney is intelligently interested in all the vital 
questions of the day, and thoroughly posted in 
local and national issues. Closely identified with 
the growth of enterprise in his own locality, he 
lends a helping hand in matters of public welfare, 
and is universally esteemed by all who know him. 



m>-^¥r<U 



«i>-~ 




IIDOLPH MTELLER. the well-known and 
(f enterprising dealer in jewelry, clocks and 
diamonds at No. 3'.) West Western Avenue, 
Muskegon, Mich., is one of the leading busi- 
ness men of the city, where for more than a quarter 
of a contuiy, continuously residing and building 
up a tine trade, he has been intimately associated 
with the best interests and rapidly increasing 
growth of this part of the .State. Mr. Mueller is a 
native of Switzerland and was born in the canton 
of Aargau May 8, 1812. lie was the son of Dan- 
iel .Mueller, also a native of Europe, who, reared 



502 



PORTRAIT AKD BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



and educated in his birthplace, there attained to 
maniiood, and, marrying, settled down amid the 
scenes of his youth. In 1854, wlien our subjeet 
was a lad of twelve 3ears, the fatiier emigrated to 
America and located in the State of Wisconsin, 
making his home in Milwaukee. The mother, 
Klizabeth (Iluncicker) Mueller, passed lier entire 
life in her native land and died in Switzerland, 
mourned by her family and many friends. 

Our subject remained in his native land, re- 
ceived his education in the public schools in the 
canton of Aargau, and, well trained in the simple 
habits of tiirifty economy and industry, at the age 
of eighteen embarked for the United States and 
at the close of a pleasant voyage landing in New 
York, proceeded thence to Milwaukee. Having 
previously acquired a thorough knowledge of the 
jeweler's trade in Switzerland, he secured employ- 
ment without difficult}-, and for two succeeding 
years worked at his trade. He then journe3'ed to 
Chicago, and in the Western metropolis received 
a position in which he continued for the two en- 
suing years. In 1866 he located permanentlj' in 
Muskegon and opened his store, from the first en- 
joying an excellent tiade and carrying a full and 
complete line of standard goods and diamonds, in 
the handling and selecting of whicii precious stones 
he is an acknowledged expert. Aside from jewelry, 
making a specialty of Sne clocks and repairing, 
our subject has been able to meet the increasing 
demands of his business, now one of the best and 
longest established in its line of any house in the 
county. 

In about a twelvemonth after his arrival in his 
present home, Iludolpii Mueller and Miss Freder- 
icka Lehman, of Grand Rapids, Mich., were united 
in marriage. The home of our subject and his es- 
timable wife has been blessed by the birth of seven 
children. They are in the order of their birth: 
Ely; Rosa; Rudolph, Jr.; William, Flora, Paul and 
Varena, bright and intelligent brotliers and sisters, 
who will have ample opportunity given them for 
an extended education. Mr. and Mrs. Mueller 
reside in a beautiful home, of modern construction, 
which, surrounded b}' a well-kept garden, is one of 
the most attractive residences in Muskegon and is 
k)catcd on Delaware Street. Mrs. Mueller is a 



valued member of the Congregational Church, and 
is a ready aid in good work and benevolent enter- 
prise. 

Politically a Democrat, our subject intelligently 
does his duty as a true American citizen, being 
well posted in both local and national affairs. 
Fiaternally afliliating with the Ancient Free & 
Accepted Masons, he is a member of Lovell Moore 
Lodge No. 182, and is connected with Muskegon 
Chapter No. 47, R. A. M., also witli Muskegon 
Commandery No. 22, K. T.,and, enjoying the sin- 
cere esteem of all his fellow-citizens, has within the 
Masonic order many warm friends. 



> fc i> p t> ^ 1 



^* 1^ ' . 



,^^ C. WILLIAMS, M. 1)., a |)i-ominent piiysician 
I j and surgeon, wiio resides in a beautiful home 
^/' delightfully situated on Muskegon Avenue, 
in the city of Muskegon, commands a large and 
rapidly extending field of practice, second to none 
in his locality. He was born in Oneida County, 
N. Y., August 9, 1836. His father, the Rev. R. C. 
Williams, who was a gifted minister of the Gospel, 
was born in Wales and emigiated with his parents 
to the United States in early youth, and witii them 
made his home in Philadelphia, Pa. 

The paternal grandfather, a sturdy Welshman, 
was a man of sterling integrity and fine business 
attainments. The. mother, Elizabetii (iuthrie, 
daughter of Simeon Guthrie, was the descendant 
of an old family, whose devotion to the cause of 
truth and religion long subjected them to bitter 
persecution, the Guthries being of Huguenot ances- 
try. Dr. Williams passed the days of bo^'hood in 
his native State and county, receiving his prepara- 
tory education in the schools of his birthplace and 
enjoying the advantages of instruction in an ex- 
cellent academy in Oneida Count}-. At eighteen 
j'ears of .age he entered Hamilton College, from 
which well-know.i institution of learning lie grad- 
uated with honor three 3'ears later. 

Our subject, at twenty-one j'cars of age, iiegan 
studying medicine with Dr. .1. II. Bergen, of \'i- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



503 



enna, N. Y., and took a course of lectures in tlie 
medical department of the New York Tnivei-sity, 
receiving liis diploma as an M. I), upon iiis gradua- 
tion, in 1858. Immediately succeeding the com- 
pletion of his studies, Dr. Williams for eight months 
practiced his profession in Heverly, N. Y. In the 
fall of 1858, attr.'icted by the prospects of the 
West, he journeyed to .lackson, Mich., where, 
opening an oflice, he continued in the daily duties 
of his responsible profession until the breaking 
out of the war, in 18(52 enlisting as surgeon in 
the navy. 

In 1863, our subject enlisted in Company I, 
Twent^'-seventh Michigan Cavalry of the P.uell 
Corps, and, ;issigned to the ,\rmy of the Cumljer- 
land, became Commanding Surgeon of the Corps, 
and served on Buell's staff. In December, 1864, he 
was mustered out of the service and returned to 
.lackson, Mich., where he engaged in practice until 
1866, when he made Muskegon his permanent 
home. Here entering upon an extended range of 
dutj' as a general practitioner as well as a skillful 
surgeon, the Doctor has been especially successful, 
and, linanciall}- prospered, owns valuable real estate 
.aside from his handsome home, modern in design 
and finely finished. Our subject, who long ago 
invested in a highlj'-cultivated farm near Mona 
Lake, about five miles from Muskegon, has im- 
proved the beautifully located acres with a lovely 
summer home. 

Ill l.s58,0. C. Williams and Miss Helen W. Kin- 
ney, of .Syracuse, N. Y., and the daughter of .lul- 
ian Kinney, a well-known resident of the Kinpire 
State, were united in marriage. One son, .John 
C, a citizen of Muskegon, blessed the union. The 
estimable wife passed away in 1889, and Dr. Will- 
iams, in Januarj', 1891, married Miss Emma II. 
Tibbetts, a native of Plymouth, Mich., and an in- 
telligent lady. Fraternally associated with the An- 
cient Free it Accepted Masons, our subject is Junior 
Treasurer of Lowell Lodge No. 182, and is also 
connected with the Chapter of the Royal Arch 
Masons; he is likewise a member of the Council of 
Royal Select Masons and is a member of the Com- 
ni;indery of Knights Templar. For seven years Dr. 
Wllliiims was a Prelate of the Council, and has re- 
ceived the highest rank attainable in this country'. 



being a Thirty-second Degree Mason. Our sub- 
ject is identified with the Clinton County Consis- 
tory, of (Jrand Rapids, .Mich., and possesses the 
confidence of a host of friends among the order. 

Keeping up with the scientific research of the 
da^-, Dr. Williams is a leading member of the .Mus- 
kegon Medical Society, is prominently connected 
with the Stiitc Medical Association, and adiliates 
with the National Medical .\ssociation. Our sub- 
ject occupied the responsible position of City 
Physician four years, and for the same length of 
time ably discharged the multiform duties of 
Count3- Physician. Although having already at- 
tained an enviable reputation in his profession. 
Dr. Williams allows himself but little time for rest 
or recreation, devoting himself with excellent re- 
sults to the ills which flesh is heir to. 



IMi ^'^^■'^ ROBIN.SON, an honored pioneerset- 
I \\\ tier and prominent general agriculturist 
J Ib of Allendale Township, Ottawa County, 
^ Mich., has for the past forty -seven years 

been a continuous resident of the State, and. a man 
of broad intelligence, has duiing this time abl^' 
assisted in the promotion of the various enter- 
prises and vital interests of his locality. Born in 
the State of New York, in the village of (ilvn- 
ville, August 12, 1836, he was only a lad of nine 
years when he accompanied his parents to the then 
far West of Michigan. 

The father and mother, .lohn and Ann (Mc- 
(iregor) Robinson, settled in tieorgetown Town- 
ship, locating on a farm. Not long after the fam- 
ily were attacked with chills and fever, and suffered 
terribly with the ague, then incidental to certain 
parts of the State. At the time of their settle- 
ment upon the homestead, there were no roads 
from (Jeorgctown leading to the home farm, and 
the country I'oundalioiit was yet in its primitive 
state. Dr. Piatt, of Orand Rapids, advised the re- 
moval of the f.'imily to Paiis Townslii|). Kent 



504 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



County, where the father settled with his wife 
and children. He purchased one hundred and 
sixt}^ acres of land, a small portion of which he 
reclaimed from its unimproved condition, and then 
made an exciiange with his son, trading farms and 
making his home upon one hundred and sixty 
acres, situated one mile east of Bowne Station. 

The father, effecting a second trade with his son, 
removed to a valuable fai'm in this township, close 
to Allendale Centre, where he prosperously oper- 
ated a farm of one hundred acres and erected a 
handsome and commodious residence, in which he 
continued to reside until his death, October 11, 
1870. By his various settlements and removals, 
he probably aided in the clearing of more land than 
any other man of his times in the county, and was 
likewise foremost in the good works of the early 
days, taking an active interest in church and edu- 
cational advancement. His good wife was also 
.active in church work, and tlie two were among 
the influential citizens of the pioneer times. They 
did not come empty-handed into the State, the 
father being accounted a man of substance in New 
York and selling prior to his departure for the 
West a farm of two hundred and fifty acres for 
$75 per acre. Aside from the old Michigan home- 
stead, the father owned several farms at the time 
of his demise, among his other landed property 
being the line one hundred and sixty acre farm 
upon which our subject now resides. This latter 
farm contained the first cabin ever erected in the 
townshii), and was purchased from Deacon Hens- 
dale, who settled here about 1840. 

Unto the mother, who survived until 1880, were 
born eight children. James, .lolin, Thomas and 
Horace are deceased; Moses is our subject; Ann, 
who was the wife of .1. Stoddard, is deceased; 
Eve was the wife of Robert Scott; and Bathsheba, 
Mrs. William A. Balconi,is deceased. Our subject 
was mainly educated in Paris Township, but the 
schools of those days being very crude in their 
forms of instruction, Mr. Hobinson has since sup- 
plemented the studies of youth by reading and 
close observation. He began life for himself at 
the age of twenty, when he married, but, remain- 
ing with his father the seven succeeding years, he 
and his excellent wife received for their services 



the one hundred and sixt}' acres of land upon 
which they now make their home. When Mr. and 
Mrs. Robinson took possession of this property it 
was covered with a dense growth of timber. One 
hundred acres, now under a high state of cul- 
tivation, annually yield an abundant harvest, 
and the homestead is improved with attractive 
and commodious buildings. Our subject pur- 
chased one hundred and sixty additional acres, 
which he has since given to his sons, and, financi- 
all3' prospered, he erected upon the home place a 
handsome two-story residence, containing ten or 
twelve rooms, all pleasantly arranged. The barns 
and outhouses in size and finish are second to none 
in the locality and present a scene of thrift and 
prosperity. 

October 25, 1856, were united in marriage 
Moses Robinson and Miss Mary J. Balcom, a native 
of Jackson County, Mich., and daughter of John- 
son and Oriza (Avery) Balcom, earlj' settlers of 
Michigan. Mr. and Mrs. Balcom, widelj- known 
and highly esteemed, were the parents of six chil- 
dren. Marinda, deceased, was the wife of J. Scott; 
Sarah is the wife of H. Simons; Delia Ann, deceased, 
was the wife of William Allen; Mary J. (Mrs. Rob- 
inson), Justus and William A. complete the list. 
At the time that Johnson Balcom located upon 
his farm in Allendale, in 1848, the surrounding 
country- was a wilderness and settlers were few. 
He devoted his attention to clearing and culti- 
vating his land, and made his home there until the 
time of his death, in 1887. During the early d.ays 
of the settlement of his coniraunit3', he was widely 
known as a prominent Sunday-school worker, and 
not infrequently walked a distance of fourteen 
miles in order to hold a Sunday-school, and also 
for the piu]>ose of exhorting, as ministers of the 
Gospel were at that time scarce. 

(.)ur subject and his estimable wife, occupying a 
high position of useful influence, have been 
blessed by the birth of eleven sons and daughters, 
as follows: William A., a resident of the State; 
James; Simon; Amos; Lillie, who is married; 
John M.; Elizabeth, the wife of Herbert Brether- 
ton, of (irand Hai)ids; Rebecca, Vina, Abram and 
Hiram. These l)rothers and sisters, widelj- known, 
command the esteem and confidence of many 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD, 



505 



friends and have enjoyed excellent opportunities 
for cducationnl advaiiceiiicnt. Our .■iulijecl is fra- 
ternally associated with Coopcrsville Lodge No. 
122, A. F. <t A. M., and is likewise a member of 
the (iraniie. Politically a stron>r Hcpublican, Mr. 
Robinson takes a deep interest m both local and 
National Government and is a sincere friend and 
neighbor, a bus^iness man of iindoiil>tpd ability, and 
a true and loval citizen. 



JARKU D. WI-;TM0RE, M. D. In the brief 
and imperfect outline we are able to give 
in this sketch of the history of one of the 
most prominent men of Holland, we can do 
little more than merely glance at the principal 
events with which he has been connected and 
ideiitilied as an eminent physician and surgeon 
and progressive citizen. The life and character of 
Dr. Wetmore, who h.os risen from an humble posi- 
tion 1)3' his own unaided efforts to a place of honor 
and distinction among men, proves a useful lesson 
to the youth of this count3", and adds another 
striking illustration of the power of determined 
purpose and perseverance. 

The homeopathic system of practice has an ar- 
dent advocate and supporter in Dr. Wetmore, who 
is a practitioner of this school of medicine. As a 
si)ecialist in diseases of the eye, ear, nose and 
throat, he has attained distinction throughout the 
State, and his extensive practice demands his con- 
stant attention. His office in Holland is e(iuipped 
with a complete assortment of surgical instruments, 
and he keeps abreast with everj' advance made in 
the profession which his life and talents adorn. 

I5orn in South Creek, Bradford County, Pa., 
April 8. 1858, our subject is the son of George 
Wetmore, an attorney-at-law in the Keystone 
State. He was reared in l)e Kalb, 111., until the 
age of fourteen years, an<l then removed to Sand 
Lake, Kent County, Mick., where he engaged in 
uiiiliiig fur about five years. Under the precep- 
torship of Di. Wills, of Sand Lake, he commenced 



the study of medicine, remaining with that gentle- 
man f<»r about four years, after which he took a 
course of lectinx-s in the medical department of 
the >State University, at Ann Arbor. lie opened 
an ollice for llie practice of his profession at Kal- 
kaskia, in northern Michigan, and after remain- 
ing there for one year returned to college and 
took another course of lectures, graduating in the 
spring of 1880. 

After graduating the young Doctor located at 
Hockford, Kent County, Mich., and remained in 
that cit_v for one and a-half years. From there he 
went to Chicago, and took a course in the new 
school of medicine at Hahnemann College, gradu- 
ating in 1882. L'pon the coniijletion of his stud- 
ies, he located in Malta, De Kalb Count}-, 111., 
where he conducted an extensive practice until 
the spring of 1882. Removing from there to Storm 
Lake, Iowa, he bought the practice of a physician 
in that place, and continued there with great suc- 
cess for two 3'ears. He then returned to Mich- 
igan, and opened an oHice in (rrand Kapids, re- 
maining there until his removal to Holland, in 
October, 1886. At the time of locating here, he 
was the onl^' homeopathic physician in the county, 
and he h.as built up an extensive practice in this 
and adjoining counties. 

In 1877 the Doctor was united in marriage with 
Miss (^anthia Willett, daughter of Dr. (Jeorge Wil- 
lett. a practicing physician of Sand Lake, this .State. 
They are the parents of two daughters: Regina, 
and Georgia, who is attending Vincent's Acad- 
emj', at Cincinnati. Dr. Wetmore has a natural 
talent for music and painting, and has no less 
than sevent.v-five large paintings, his own work, 
which prove his ability' as an artist. At the age 
of sixteen he was leader of a string and cornet 
band. 

Thrown upon his own resources at the age of 
eleven, our subject is justly entitled to be called 
a self-made man. The money with which he 
paid his way through college was earned by hard 
work in the mill and on the farm. Ills practice 
extends over a territory' eighteen miles south, ten 
miles north and six and one-half west. In his re- 
ligious views he is very liberal. Politically, he is 
a Democrat, and li.'is beiMi an active worker in the 



506 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



ranks of the party. He has served as United 
States Examining Surgeon for the Northwestern 
portion of Iowa, and is now oHIciating in that 
capacity in the Ancient Order of United Work- 
men. By his industry and good management he 
has acquired considerable valuable property, some 
of which is in Holland, and some in Duluth. A 
pleasant and affable gentleman, his friends are as 
numerous as his acquaintances, and he enjoys the 
confidence of all with whom business or social re- 
lations bring him in contact. 



""SI 



'^4^p=- 



jlk^ AX LANGE, Deputy Countj^ Treasurer 
11 1\\ of Muskegon, and the owner of consider- 
able property in this section of Michigan, 
inherits the thrift and enterprise of a long 
line of German ancestors. Himself a native of 
the Fatherland, he was born in Bromberg Novem- 
ber 15, 1850, being a son of Louis and Paulina 
(Braune) Lange. His bo3'hood years were un- 
eventfullj- passed in his father's home, and he was 
earh' trained to habits of industry and usefulness. 
He acquired in the common schools near his home 
a practical education, fitting him for a business 
career. 

In 1870 the family' emigrated to the United 
States, and after landing in New York proceeded 
to Michigan and located in Muskegon, where the 
father still lives. The mother remained here un- 
til her death, in 1892. They were the parents of 
seven children, five sons and two daughters, of 
whom Max is the eldest. He earl3- became famil- 
iar with farming pursuits, to which he gave his 
attention for some time. Afterward he was em- 
ployed in the city of Muskegon, receiving a sal- 
ary of *2 per da^-, and later worked as a laborer 
for one season in Berrien Count}'. He entered 
into partnership with M. Kachbrig in the grocery 
business, and afterward was engaged in that trade 
with other paities in this State, also conducting 
the business alone for two yeare. 

Returning to Muskegon in 1880, Mr. Lange 



embarked in the insurance business, which he has 
continued until the present time. He also carries 
on large and extensive real-estate transactions, and 
has sold valuable lots in the cit}'. To his efforts 
the advancement of Muskegon along the lines 
o( material, as well as moral, improvement and 
growth may be justly attributed, together with 
the labors of many public-spirited and progressive 
citizens. He take^ a deep interest in every meas- 
ure having for its object the welfare of the people, 
and contributes his quota toward the progress of 
the cit}-. 

The marriage of Mr. Lange occurred in 1881, 
and united him with Miss Emma E. B. Kittredge, 
of Ludington, Mich. They are the parents of 
two children. On the 1st of .January, 1893, Mr. 
Lange entered upon the duties of the Deputy 
Treasurership, to which he had been appointed, 
and in which he is now rendering acceptable ser- 
vice. In his social connections he is identified 
with Muskegon Lodge No. 140, A. F. & A. M. 
Keen and discriminating in judgment, a man of 
resource and ability, he has gained the esteem 
and confidence of all with whom he has been 
brought in contact. 









Ir^OBERT G. LAMOREAUX. One of the 
l!#^ most important and successful enterprises 
(Si \, of Fruitport is that which was inaugurated 
^ by Mr. Lunioreaux in October, 1888, and 
has been ijr()S|)er(nisly conducted b}' him since 
that time. In his mercantile establishment he car- 
ries a conn)lete assortment of dr>- goods, modern 
in style and unexceptional in quality. The re- 
liability of his business transactions, the superior- 
ity of his slock, and the reasonable prices at winch 
the goods are offered for sale, have secured for 
him the confidence of his customers, and he has a 
large trade, aggregating over *ilO,000 annually. 
The value of his stock is estimated at |i4,000. 

Born In Van Buren County, Mich., November 
26, 1868, our subject is the son of Robert and 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



507 



Maria (Cooper) Lamorcaux, both of wlioni were 
horn in New York. Afti-r tlieir iiiarriago, which 
took place in tliat State, they emigrated to Michi- 
gan, and settled in Kalanjazoo, where the}' resided 
for a short time. Returning thence to New York, 
they made a iliorl sojourn in their former home, 
hut shortly afterward removed to \iin Hiiren j 
County, Mich., where they remained for a numher 
of years. Somewhat later they came to Kruitport, 
where the wife and mother passed away. In May, 
1891. the father removed to Alabama, where he is 
now working at his trade .as a fouudryman. The 
paternal grandfather of our subject, William Lain- 
oreaux, was of French descent, as the family name 
indicates. 

In the parental family there are four children, 
the others besides our subject being Daniel, a hook- 
keeper with the (irand Hapids Brass Company; 
Minnie L; and Mary, who married Byron Bcerman, 
an engineer on the (ioodrich Line, running between 
Muskegon and Chicago. Robert ti., of this sketch, 
was reared in Van Buren County, Midi., receiving 
his primary education in the schools near his fa- 
ther's home. After coming to P'ruitport, he pros- 
ecuted his studies for a lime in the schools of this 
village, and gained a |)ractical education, which 
;nlniirably ((ualitied him for business life. 

After working in the employ" of his father for a 
few j'ears, Mr. Lamoreaux embarked in the busi- 
ness in which he now engages. .An energetic 
business man, possessing sound judgment and com- 
mon-sense, he has always made a success in his 
mercantile enterpi'ise, and occupies a prominent 
position among the business men of tlie count}'. 
In addition to the management of his estabiisli- 
ment, he devotes considerable attention to public 
affairs, and is one of the most prominent young 
Republicans in the vicinity of Fruitporl. For 
some time he held the otiice of Town Clerk, and is 
now President of the village. In the last-named 
position he displays the same wise judgment cliar- 
acterislic of his business enterprises, and his elli- 
cient services have been of great assistance in de- 
veloping the resources of the place. 

.\ very important event in the life of Mr. Lam- 
oreaiix was his marriage, which occurred at Spring 
Lake, November l-'i, IH'.MI, his bride being Miss 



Maude Barnes, of Muskegon County. Mrs. Lam- 
oreaux is the daughter of Henry and Flizabelh 
Barnes, who now reside in Fruitpoit. She is a 
lady of education, possessing a genial courtesy of 
manner and generosity of disposition, and is 
highl}' respected in the community. In his social 
connection, Mr: I.Amorcaux alliliates with the 
Knight.s of tiie Maccabees, being prominently iden- 
tified with the lodge at Fruilport. 



VIJILLIAM KDWARl) MOORK. a leading 
III and representative citizen of Muskegon 
I County, and the present representative of 
Kggleston Township up<ui the County Board of 
Supervisors, was born in Neyland, I^uzerne County, 
Pa., on Christmas Da}' of 1859. Ilis parents, Will- 
iam and Esther (.Johnson) Moore, weie natives 
respectively of the States of Pennsylvania and 
New York, and some j'ears after their marriage 
came to Michigan, in 1861. For a time they so- 
journed ill Oakland County, and thence removed 
to Shiawassee County, locating in Vernon Town- 
ship, where the senior Mr. Moore w.as engaged at 
the trade of a wagon-maker for about eleven 
years. 

From Shiawassee County Mr. Moore came to 
Muskegon County, and located in 1885 upon a 
farm in Kggleston Townshi]). This place was des- 
tined to he the last home of toth himself and his 
good wife. There in 1886, she closed her eyes 
upon the scenes of time, to open them again on 
the shores of eternity, lie survived her demise 
for a few months, and then, on the 27th of Au- 
gust, 1887, passed to his linal reward. During his 
existence, covering a jieriod of three-score years 
and six, he accoiii|ilishcd much on behalf of 
his fellow-men and wjis instrumental in promot- 
ing the (irogress of the various communities where 
he resided. Ilis in tercst-s, however, centeieil in 
his home, and his domestic life was one of happi- 
ness and iiuiIumI lirl|it"iilnes.s. 



508 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



The second among three children, William Ed- 
ward Moore was quite small when he was brought 
by his parents to Michigan, and here lie grew to 
man's estate. At the age of twelve he commenced 
to learn the trade of a carpenter, and, having a 
natural inclination for this business, he soon be- 
came very proficient in his work and in a short 
time started in business for himself. Success re- 
warded his industrious efforts, and from carpen- 
tering he gradually enlarged his business until he 
became a contractor and jobber, in which line he 
was also efficient and capable. In 1885 he pur- 
chased the farm in Eggleston Township upon 
whicli he has since made his home. 

A very important event in the life of Mr. 
Moore was his marriage, which occurred on the 
18th of November, 1881, and united him with 
Miss Mary A., daughter of James and Eleanor 
(Best) Barry, natives respectively of Ireland and 
the State of New York. Mr. and Mrs. Moore are 
the parents of five children, four of whom are 
now living, Beulah, Charles, Cljde and Edward. 
In his political belief, Mr. Moore is a Republican 
and takes an active interest in political affairs, 
both local and national. For two years he has 
filled the position of Township Clerk, and he is 
now serving his fourth year as Supervisor. He is 
also one of the committee on the construction of 
gravel road between Muskegon and G.i'and Rapids. 
His course in life has been such as to win for him 
the warm friendship of his associates, and he justly 
merits the high regard in which he is held. 



=5^ 



^l' AMES D. EDWARD, an energetic and pros- 
] perous business man, for some lengtli cf 
*sJ ''"'^^ County and Township Grain Commis- 
^i^/' sioner, has for about seventeen years been 
intimately associated with tlui growth and prog- 
ress of (irnnd Haven Township, Ottawa County, 
Midi. His f.il her, George Edward, was a native 
of Scdtlaiid, and remained (hiring his entire life 
witliiii the boundaries of his native country. 



Our subject was born in sturdy Scotland in 1856, 
and spent the days of boyhood and early youth in 
his birthplace, but at twenty years of age, eager, 
hopeful and ambitious, he set sail for America. 
Arriving in 1876, he at once journeyed to Michi- 
gan, and, settling in the village of Agnew, then 
Johnville, located in the southern part of Grand 
Haven Township, has since made that part of the 
State his permanent home. 

Mr. Edward received a good common-school 
education in the public schools of Scotland, and, 
early trained to habits of thrifty industiy, had 
as a capital upon whicli to begin life, a stranger 
in a strange land, only his natural ability and 
earnest self-reliance. From sixteen years of age 
he had been self-supporting, then leaving school. 
Soon emigrating to Ottawa County, he received 
employment in a sawmill, and manufactured fruit 
crates and baskets in the village of Agnew. 

Mr. Edward was the youngest of a family of eight 
children, four sons and four daughters, who were 
in the order of their birth as follows: George, .Jen- 
nie, Tibbie, .John, .Joseph, Alexander, Mary and 
James D. Joseph, Alexander and Edward came 
to this country previous to their brother .Tames D., 
and Tibbie, Mrs. Boyd, emigrated from her native 
land to this country in the year 1892, with her 
husband and cliildrcn. Jolin and Mary yet reside 
in Scotland. Jennie is deceased. George makes 
his home in Australia. 

In 1880, in Van Buren County, Mich., were 
united in marriage .James D. Edward and Miss 
Cynthia Munger. Their pleasant home has been 
brightened by the birth of four bright and prom- 
ising children, one son and three daugliters: Tib- 
bie, George, Rheba and Nicola. The brothers and 
sisters will all enjoy the benefit of an extended 
education, and, receiving from their energetic an- 
cestors the bequest of integrity of cliar.acter, in- 
dustrious llirift and firm (jurpose to succeed in 
life, cannot fail to make tlieir upward way and l)o- 
come wortiiy of any positions of trust to which 
they ma}- be called. 

Immediately after his arrival in (Jr.'iiid Haven 
Township, Mr. Edward, although ydiiiig in years, 
at once identified himself with all matters i>f pub- 
lic welfare, and, enjoying the respect and conli- 



PORTRAIT AND BICGUAPIIICAL RKCORD. 



509 



dcnce of all with whom he becomes acquainted, 
has received various local oltices, whose duties lie 
has ever discharged with proiiipl and faithful etti- 
ciencj'. As Township and County Grain Commis- 
sioner he gave especially acceptable service to his 
fellow-townsmen. Politically a Republican, our 
subject takes an active part in tlio local councils of 
the])arty. by whom he has been elected numerous 
times to otlicc. The parents of our subject were 
members of the old Scotch Free Church, and 
tr.ained their sons and daughters to an observ- 
ance of religious duties. Mr. Kdward, however, is 
not connected with any denomination, although 
his preference is for the Unitarian Church, to 
which his excellent wife belongs. A kind friend 
and neighbor, an excellent citizen, loyal and true, 
our subject, together with his family, possesses the 
best wishes of a host of friends. 



B'i 



^^!=^ERIiIT ROOKS, a successful general farmer, 
ill ^— , now occupying with ability the office of 
^^jj Highway' Commissioner of Holland Town- 
ship, Ottawa County, Mich., is pleasantly located 
upon section .Tfi, where lie has hmg prosperously 
ciillivaled n line lionieslead, annually yielding an 
abundant harvest. Our subject, a native of the 
kingdom of the Netherlands and liorii in the year 
1812, was the son of (ieriit II. and Catherine 
(llesling) Rooks. The parents were likewise both 
natives of the Netherlands, in wliieli country the 
father was born in lH(l2,aiul the mother in 1809. 
The paternal ami matiTiial ancestors, hard-work- 
ing, intelligent and ii|iiiglil peoi)le, by their earnest 
and persistent toil thriftily gained for themselves 
and their descendants the necessities of life, but 
very few of them in their native land ever ac- 
quireil a competence. The father was by occupa- 
tion a farmer, anil w.ts a wood-sawyer by trade, 
.sawmills in his primitive neighborhood being 
almost unknown. Heiiig a man of lliniled means, 
he owned no real-estale, lint rented land. In 1856, 
till' frillier emigrated with his wife and six chil- 



dren to the United States and for forty-two days 
the family, on board a sailing vessel, were tossing 
upon the broad Atlantic. 

Two of the children had previously crossed the 
ocean and settled in Jlichigan, in which locality 
the parents contemplated making their future 
home, but their money having given out they were 
obliged to remain a few months in New York, 
where the father was enabled by hard work to 
rei)lenish his empt}' pocket-book, and the family 
proceeded at once upon their way to the farther 
West. The eight sons and daughters of the par- 
ents were in order of their birth: Albert, Gerrit 
and Lyda, all deceased; Minnie. Gertrude, John, 
f lerrit, and one who died young. The father had 
married previously to his marriage to the mother 
of our subject, and by the first wife became the 
father of two children, .lohn Henry and Hannah 
The father was a devout member of the old Dutch 
Reformed Church and was respected by all who 
knew liini. When he came to Holland he made 
his home with his eldest son, Albert. He died 
regretted by many friends, his wife surviving him 
only one year. Our subject received his educa- 
tion mainly in the Old Country and enjoyed one 
year's schooling in the United Stiites. 

Mr. Rooks, beginning life for liim.self. worked 
out by the montli on various farms, and with 
thrifty prudence gaining a small capital marrieil 
when al)out twenty-two years of age Miss AHnnie 
Naber, and unto him and his estimable wife have 
been born seven sons and daughters, who are in 
the order of their birth: I'eter, Henry, .loliii, 
Anna, Katie, Albert and Minnie. Of these children 
three have cuinpleled their studies in the excellent 
schools of Holland, and Anna is now teaching suc- 
cessfull3\ Two of the sons are in the far West, 
one living in North Dakota, the other residing in 
South Dakota. Iinmedialely succeeding his mar- 
riage, Mr. Rooks purchased eighty heavily tim- 
bered acres where he now lives, and was obliged 
to go in debt for the same. To-day, cleared, highly 
cultivated and imi)roved with a good residence, 
barns and sheds, the homestead is one of the best 
in this locality. Our Mibject owns ninety .acres, 
all under pidlilable eiiUI\':ition and presenting a 
scene of thrift and plenty. Mr. Rooks is a valued 



510 



POiiTRAlT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



member of the Ebenczer Reformed Cliurch and for 
fifteen years held an Eldership. Politically a 
Republican, Mr. Rooks has al)!}' disciiarged the 
duties of various school offices and made a most 
efficient Highway Commissioner, giving great sat- 
isfaction to all his fellow-townsmen. 






IpjVODERICK J. MACDONALD, who is serving 
■^^ as United States Commissioner at Muske. 
gon, is a Canadian b^' birth. He was born 
in Prescott, Ontario, Canada, on the 4th 
of October, 1852, and is a son of Archibald and 
Harriet (Jackson) Macdonald. The father was a 
farmer by occupation and also a manufacturer. 
In 1874 he came with his family to Michigan, lo- 
cating in IMuskegon, where his death occurred in 
1877. His wife, who survives him, has since mar- 
ried B. A. Cross, and now resides in South Ha- 
ven, Mich. 

The subject of this sketch is the eldest of a 
family of nine children. He was reared to man- 
hood in the place of his nativity, and there ac- 
quired liis education. After leaving school he 
began reading law with Thomas Deacon, of Que- 
bec, Canada. He came with his parents to Mich- 
igan in 1874, and In March, 1875, was admitted 
to the Bar in Muskegon. Here he at once en- 
tered upon tlie practice of his cliosen profession, 
to whicli he lias devoted the greater part of liis 
time and attention since, practicing in all the 
courts. Ideal. Slate and federal. His abilities, 
natural and acfiuiied, have placed him in the 
front rank among his professional brethren. He 
is an alile advocate, a logical thinker, a clear rea- 
soiier, and, thoroughly understanding the evi- 
dence, is quick to grasp a point, and has therefore 
won success. 

On the 13tli of September, 1877, Mr. Macdon- 
ald was united in inaiiiage with Miss ,Mai\- Cliam- 
licrlMiii, (>r West Michigan, formerly <if Oiilario. 
(niKida. She died August 24, 188;), leaving one 



child, since deceased. Mr. Macdonald was again 
married, July 13, 1892, his second union being 
with Lottie E. Worrall, of Muskegon. They re- 
side at No. 24 Sanford Street, and are prominent 
and representative people of the community, hav- 
ing a large circle of friends and acquaintances. 
In politics Mr. Macdonald affiliates with the 
Republican party, and supports its men and meas- 
ures. In 1883 he was appointed Deputy United 
States Commissioner under James Wethej- for the 
Western District of Michigan, and afterward was 
appointed United States Commissioner at Muske- 
gon, which office he is creditably and acceptably 
filling. In 1876 he was elected Justice of the 
Peace, and held that office for a period of four 
years. He was a prominent candidate before the 
Republican Convention for the position of Cir- 
cuit Judge, but was defeated by a small niajorit}'. 
In whatever office he has been called upon to fill 
he has always discharged his duty with prompt- 
ness and fidelity, never betraying the trust reposed 
in him. In the community where he has now 
made his liome for an extended period he is widely 
known, and his upright career has gained him the 
respect of all with whom business or social rela- 
tions have brought him in contact. 



— } 



^■^:' 



i>'^^<^ 



:=--&«. 



[j[j_^ ENRY JEKI^L. For many years, or since 
fc^ boyhood, Mr. Jekel has given the occu- 
pation of farming his principal time and 
attention, and that a lifetime spent in pur- 
suing one calling will result in substantial success, 
espeeiallv if energy and perseverance are applied, 
is i)articiilarly true in his case. Mr. Jekel is a 
self-made man in all that the words imply, and 
has known the demands of poverty, but his hon- 
esty, energy and ••slick-lo-it-iveness" have brought 
their rewards, which he and his family are now . 
enjoying. His birth occurred in the Netherlands 
in 1825, to the union of John and Lilian .IcUel, 
natives also of that couiitiv. 

The father of our sulijecl followed the pur.'-uil 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



.jll 



of farming, and for some time was a day laborer. 
He was not ver3- successful in that occupation, 
and, led by the promises of the Western lands of 
tliis country, he deterniined to t)rave Neptune's 
tender mercies and seek a home in the In i ted 
States. Receiving some .nssistmce from friends, 
lie made the voyage with his wife and two chil- 
dren in tlie year 1817, and came direct to Ottawa 
County. Mich., where he bouglit fortj' acres of 
land on section 14, Holland Town.^hip. While on 
his way to this county he stopped at Indian Vil- 
lapre. where his wife and children were sick for 
many months. His land was covered with iieavy 
timber, and he lost no time in going to work to 
clear and improve it. At a lime when the fruits 
of his labor began to show, or a few years after 
moving there, he p.assed away at the age of fifty- 
six. His wife followed him to the grave a few 
years later. 

The boyhood and youth of our subject were 
passed in his native country, and he there re- 
ceived a good common-school education. When 
but ten years of age he hired out to earn money 
for tiie support of the family, and he saw very 
few idle days from that time on. In 18-16, dur- 
ing the month of October, he took passage for 
America, reaching tlie I'nited States on Christmas 
D.iy, after being on the ocean sixty-five days. The 
vessel encountered many storms, and several times 
it was thouglit that slie would go to the bottom. 
Young .kkel reached the I'nited States with little 
money and ^in in debt, a kind friend l(«ining 
liim tiiat anidunl previous to starling. He first 
locate<l near Albany and went to woik on a farm, 
remaining there nearly a year. In October, 1847, 
hu came to Michigan and located in Ottawa Coun- 
ty, where he worked out f<ir several years. 

Ily industry and (■((inoniy Mr. .lck<l accuinu- 
laled sullicient means to buy a farm, and in 1849 
he w;is married to .Miss .lane llaims. He is now 
tiie owner of eighty acres of line laml and is one 
of the inilustrious. enterprising men of the town- 
ship. Ills land was wild when lie liist settled on 
it, but enerjjy and pcrscvrrancc .•iccomplishcd wiin- 
ders ill his case. Mr. .Iikel is ii iiicinbcr of the 
Kcfornu'd Church and takes a (hi'|i inlciest in its 
progress, as he docs in .'ill othci' ciilci piiscs of 
2 (J 



moment. His marriage resulted in tlie birth of 
two children, .John and Jennie. The latter mar- 
ried .lolin IJarkel, and several children were born 
to them. Mrs. Harkel died, and one of her chil- 
dren, Jennie, has been taken by our subject to rear. 
In his iiolitica! views our subject is a Democrat. 
He and his brother John are the only ones living 
of five children born to his parents. These chil- 
dren were in the order of their births as fol- 
lows: Ella, deceased; Henry and Albert (twins), 
the latter dying at the age of eighteen; John and 
William. 



I I ' 




;f^^\ L. WESTON, M. I)., one of Ottawa Coun- 
ty's most talented young professional men, 
and a member of a family that has given 
to Michigan some of its most skillful (thy- 
sicians and surgeons, has been engaged for a year 
or more in the practice of the medical profession 
at Jenison, being the onl}' physician at this pl.ace. 
His practice is not limited to the residents of the 
village, but extends throughout the surrounding 
country, where he has the confidence of his pa- 
tients and the esteem of tlie public in general. 

The paternal grandfather of the Doctor was 
Ilarrv Weston, a native of New York, and a very 
early settler in Michigan. The maternal grandfa- 
ther. John Shafcr, who enlisted during the War 
of 1812, participated in many of the most im- 
portant battles of that conllict with the lirilish, 
and was taken prisoner at Detroit, under Oen. 
Hull. Our subject's father. Dr. A. II. Weston, 
was born in Clinton County, Mich., and upon at- 
taining manhood's years studied medicine under 
an uncle, Daniel T. Weston, of Dansville, Mich. 
Later he entered the Detroit College of Medicine, 
from which he was graduated in the Class of '74. 
At the (niening of the Civil War, Dr. Weston 
enlisted as a member of the Seventh Michigan Cav- 
alry, and from the ranks was promoted to the po- 
sition of llospitjil Steward. For three years and 
two inoiilhs lie wiis in active service in the I'nion 



512 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



army, and although at the front in numerous en- 
gagements, he escaped without being wounded, 
with tiie exception of a slight injury received 
from a piece of shell. He married Miss Martha M. 
Shafer, and their union was blessed by the birth of 
two children, our subject and Fay A. The latter 
married Miss Eva Densmore, who resides at Stan- 
ton Junction, Midi. 

After his marriage, which occurred in Michi- 
gan, the father of our subject settled in Ingham 
Count}' and remained there for two years, re- 
moving thence to Kent County in the year 
1868. He has since made his home in the vil- 
lage of Grandville, of which he is the most 
prominent physician. He is also prominently 
identified with the social and political affairs of 
the county, and is an active member of the Ma- 
sonic order and Custer Post, G. A. R., of Grand 
Rapids, having for three years filled the position 
of Master of the former order. In politics he is 
independent, casting his ballot for the best prin- 
ciples and the best man, irrespective of |iarty ties. 
He has served as Township Clerk and in other 
official capacities. 

The subject of this sketch was born in Dansville, 
Ingham Countj', Mich., on the 28tli of December, 
1866. He received his education in the common and 
High schools of Grandville, and having resolved to 
follow the profession in whicli his father had gained 
distinction, he began the study of medicine under 
the preceptorship of his fattier. Later he took a 
course of lectures in the Detroit College of Medi- 
cine, graduating in 1889. He at once commenced 
the active practice of his profession, and for three 
years vvas associated witii his father in partner- 
ship. In April, 1892, he came to Jenison, and is 
now closely identified with the rapidly developing 
interests of this place. 

In his social relations the Doctor affiliates with 
tlie Independent Order of Odd Fellows, hold- 
ing membership witli Kent Lodge No. 332, at 
Grandville, of wliicli he is Past Grand. Both he 
and liis father are members of the Grand River 
Valley Medical Society, of whicii tlie former has 
been Treasurer, and the latter 'I'reasurer, Secre- 
tary, Vice-President and I'resideiit. It is wortiiy 
of note that our subject, his father and two uncles, 



Dr. Daniel T. Weston, of Dansville, and Dr. 
Marion .1. Shafer, of Grand Rajiids, are all gradu- 
ates of the Detroit Medical College of Medicine. 
Dr. Shafer was also a soldier in the late war. and a 
member of the Seventh Michigan Cavalry. 



^SCAR SANDERS. Prominent among the 
capable and etlicient agriculturists of Ot- 

JJ tawa County stands the name of Jlr. 
Sanders, who follows farming pursuits upon sec- 
tion 25, Robinson Township. He is the son of 
Joseph and Mary (Sampson) Sanders, natives of 
the Empire State, both of whom died there, the 
father on the I2tli of March, 1861, and the mother 
twenty years previous to his demise. Alike as 
an energetic and industrious farmer, and in mili- 
tary service as a soldier during the War of 1812, 
Mr. Sanders, Sr., was a man who won the respect 
of his associates, and his death, at an advanced 
age, removed from our country one of its most 
vali.ant defenders in time of war, and most public- 
spirited citizens in time of peace. 

Tlie youngest of a family of six children, 
Oscar Sanders was born in Brown County, N. Y., 
on the 19th of December, 1829. In the Empire 
State he received the advantages of a common- 
school education, and there, also, he gained much 
of tlie knowledge of agriculture wiiich he has 
since put to practical use. At the age of fifteen 
he went to Gratiot County, Mich., and there re- 
sided for a period of seven years. Later lie made 
his home in Lamont, Ottawa County, for three 
years, and afterward settled on the [ilace where he 
has since resided. 

At the time of purcliasing this [jroiierty. May 5, 
1870, the land was densely wooded, and few im- 
provements li.id been made. In the years thai 
have since come and gone, substantial buildings 
have been erected, forty acres have been cleared 
and placed under high cultivation, fences have 
been Imilt, the soil has been fertilized, and modern 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



513 



fnrnung machinery introdiieed. Mr. Sanders has 
mot with his share of misfortunes, not the least of 
which was the destruction of Ins residence witii 
all its contents, tlie result of fire. However, an- 
other dwelliiii!:. cr|ually sulistantial. has replaced 
the old house. 

In Tompkins County, N. Y.. in 1802, occurred 
the marriage of Mr. Sanders ami Miss Har- 
riet Foster, a native of New York. They are 
the parents of live children. In their religious 
connections. Mr. Sanders and his accomplished 
wife are members of the Methodist Kpiscopal 
Church, to the support of wliich they arc gener- 
ous contributors. .Socially, he atliliates with the 
.Sons of Temperance. Politically, he is prominent 
in the councils of his chosen part\' in this section. 
His (irst Presidential ballot w.is cast for tien. 
Scott in 18,')2. He is a man whose entire course 
in life has been in every respect honorable, up- 
right and conscientious, and he is justly entitled 
to the respect of his associates and the love of his 
friends. 



V.- 






m^wmm^: 



cy> 




1!' LOYS KILZ.a prominent citizen of Ottawa 
County, .Mich., now prosperously handling 
real estate, insurance and merchandise in 
.Spring Lake, is a successful business man, 
and has for twenty-seven years been idcntilicd 
with the various leading enterprises oi his present 
locality. .Mr. Hilz is a native of (Jeniuiny. Ills 
parents, .loseph and .Alargaret (llabeikoni) 15il/., 
were l)Oth born in IJavari.a, and were reared, edu- 
cated !iiid attained to adult age in the home of 
theiryouth. Their family of three sons and seven 
daughters received all the ad vantages they could 
give them, both in the common schools and higher 
eitucational institutions, and i;rcw up energetic, 
inilii>trious and aiiilHtioM-.. W'licn the three eld- 
est .'iriived at mature years ihcy decided to try 
their fortunes in the lanci of piumise IicvoikI the 
.■se:i. and together emigrated In Aineiie.i. The re- 
pot l.s ihey sent back to their old lnnrie and par- 



ents were so encouraging that in the year 1849 
the father, mother and seven remaining children 
embarked for the I'liited States. S.afelv leachiiig 
Quebec, they soon located in Buffalo, N. Y.. where 
the parents reared and educated the younger mem- 
bers of the family. Here the mother died in the 
fall of 18CC, and the father in the spring of 1867, 
and the eldest son, Cliristoi)hcr .1. Bilz, a promi- 
nent business man of the city of HulTalo, soon fol- 
lowed them to the grave. The next son, l'"rank, 
well known in Detroit and throughout .Michigan, 
died in the city of Ionia, .Mich., August 20. 188;(. 
One daughter is deceased, one resides in I'hiladel- 
l)hia. Pa., and five with their families still live in 
the citj' of ButTalo. 

Our subject was born .luly 2, 1841, attended a 
private school in Buffalo, and St. Vincent's Col- 
lege ill Westmoreland County, Pa., and at the .age 
of thirteen learned the trade of a tinner in New 
llainburg. Ontario, and thus fitted himself for a 
future of self-reliant effort. In the year 1853 
he settled in Michigan, at first making his home 
in Detroit, where he entered into business, find- 
ing ready employment at his trade. After a time 
he removed to New Baltimore, Macomb County, 
and in the year 18(M was united in marriage to 
Miss Mary A. Thompson, daughter of Kev. (). C. 
Thompson, of Detroit, Mich. In 1866, our subject 
came to Spring Lake and engaged in the hardware 
and liiiiiilure business, rapidly extending the ter- 
ritory of his tra(]e. one of the best in this section 
of the country. .Soon after, becoming interested in 
the real estate of his hjcality, Mr. Bilz achieved 
gratifying results in handling large ainonnts of 
land, and, possessed of unusual executive abilitv, 
has rapidly made his upward way. In IHTI.adis- 
iistrous fire destroyed most of his propertw but 
with tireh'ss energy, hope and determination he 
set himself re>olutely to regaining lost ground. 
Among the enterprises in whose promotion Mr. 
Hilz has taken an active |)arl was the founding and 
conducting of theS|iring Lake AVyiM/^Z/Vv/,),,-) bright, 
newsy paper, and for a number of years lie was the 
jiroprietor of the I''ore>t City 7'/w.s, at Forest City, 
S. Dak. " . 

In 1861 the name of Alo\s liilz was enrolled In 
the only regiiiiciit of lancers organized In the 



514 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Stale, but, the regiment being disbanded, our sub- 
ject saw none but recruiting service. Mr. and Mrs. 
Bilz have been blessed by the birth of seven chil- 
dren: Fannie G., Margaret J., Bessie E., Mamie E., 
Alice A., William A., and one son deceased. Mrs. 
Bilz and all her children are members of the Pres- 
byterian Church and are active in tlie good work 
and benevolent enterprises of that denomination. 
Mr. Bilz is a staunch Republican, and has held 
with efficiency for many years the responsible po- 
sition of Supervisor. He was elected Register of 
Deeds of his county, and, occupying the office for 
one term, gave great satisfaction to all with whom 
he transacted the business of his department. 

Our subject was for four years the popular Presi- 
dent of Spring Lake, and as a member of the Board 
of Education gave excellent service in behalf of 
educational advancement. As an insurance agent 
Mr. Bilz represented the following well-known 
companies: the Phcenix, of Hartford; the Conti- 
nental, of New York; and the Fireman's Fund of 
San P'rancisco; and with his other business he 
also combined the local agency of the American 
Express Company. He has for twenty-six years 
been a Trustee of the Presbyterian Church, and, 
leading a useful and busy life, yet finds time to 
engage with a liberal spirit in all matters pertain- 
ing to the welfare of the general public. 



^^-f^P= 



Wacitiz. 
„ ^ nently 



vESLEY F. WOOD, the subject of this sketch, 
zen of Muskegon, Mich., stands promi- 
among those leading citizens to 
whom the city owes its advancement, morally, in- 
tellectually and financially. Coming to this part 
of the .State when INIuskegon was a mere hamlet, 
a small village of few inhabitants, isolated from the 
rest of the world, without roads, streets, schools or 
churches, he has lived and labored to see the early 
crudities of the pioneer grow into the large and 
well-developed city of to-d.ay. possessing all the 
facilities, a])pliances and advantages of a great 
manuf.'icturing and commercial metropolis. His 
career is an exainpk' of the success that comes to 



those who strive, and not as the result of chance, 
but of long-continued, persistent and well-directed 
effort. He was born .June 18, 1823, in Essex Coun- 
try, in the State of New York, the son of Jonas B. 
Wood and Hannah (Reed) Wood, the father a na- 
tive of Massachusetts, the mother of New York. 
Both parents were of English descent. Mrs. Wood 
was tho daughter of Abraham Reed, who was also 
a native of the Empire State. 

The subject of this sketch, who was the youngest 
of nine children, received the rudiments of an ed- 
ucation in the district school of his native place, 
but later secured a good academic education. At 
an early age he removed to the city of New York, 
where he remained in mercantile pursuits until 
1849, when, on account of poor health, he removed 
to Hopkinton, St. Lawrence County, N. Y. There 
he remained until 1857, when he turned his face 
westward and came to Michigan, locating m Muske- 
gon, where he had some interests, and where he de- 
voted himself chiefly to the real-estate business, city 
and surbuban. Upright, honorable and reliable, 
he has always stood as one of Muskegon's rep- 
resentative business men and has won a fair share 
of both favor and fortune. 

In 1852 our subject was married to Sarah G. 
Scott, of New York Citw daughter of William 
Scott, of Scottish parentage. Three children were 
born to them in Hopkinton, N. Y., onl}' one of 
whom, Frank, survives, who inherits his father's 
excellent qualities, and who has for a good many 
years been a banker in Muskegon. 

In politics our subject is a stanch Republican, 
thoroughly believing in the principles of sound 
finance and of protection to home industries, and 
voting with his party as often as it has been true 
to its principles. Wide-awake and public-spirited, 
he has been a standard-bearer, and has contributed 
liberally to the support of all worthy movements, 
both public and private. In religious matters, he 
takes a deep interest, and has been a member and 
office-bearer in the Congiegational Church from 
the time of its organization, in 1859. Well may 
the growth and enlargement of that church from its 
original charter nieinhership of thirteen to its 
present memberslii|) <if three humlred alTcird liiin 
the ciiicfest satisfaction of his life. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL feECORt). 



515 



Mr. Wood's highest title is that of "good citi- 
zen." Modest, manly, uiiai<suniing and retirinji;, 
sliunnintj botli tlie sriai'i-' and pomp of public station, 
seeking neither i)lace nt>r i>refernient, he has lived 
and labored, content to see others preferred to 
places of honor and trust, dutiful, diligent and 
faithful, seeking only the satisfaction and the 
fruits which fall to the lot of him who leads and 
fills a (|uiel .ind useful life. 



^•!"{"5-+r 



?4"5"!"S-'= 




AMUEL A. SODERUERG, the etHcient and 
popular Treasurer of Muskegon County, 
who now makes his home in the city of 
Muskegon, is a native of Switzerland. He 
was born in that far-off land December 11, 1858, 
and is a son of .Tohannus and .lohaiina (Anderson) 
.Soderberg. They were farming people and never 
left the land of their nativity. Our subject was 
the eldest of their family. lie attended school 
until fourteen years of age, spending two years 
in a High School, and then learning the shoe- 
maker's trade, which he followed until twenty 
years of age. At that time he received an ap- 
pointment as foreman of the extensive gas works 
in Stockholm, having charge of from fifty to sixty 
men. This position he filled for four years. 

It was in the fall of 1880 that Mr. Soderberg 
came to America, crossing the AlUmtic to New 
York City, going lliencc to Chicago, and arriving 
in Muskegon on the ttli of August, 1880. Here 
he began clerking for Mr. Waldon, a shoe mer- 
chant, with whom 111- remained for two years. In 
1882, he became an employe in a box factory, and 
to that work devoted his energies for si.\ years, 
after which he began business in his own interest, 
manufacturing boots and shoes.- He carried on 
this enterprise until 1889, when the establishment 
was destroyed by fire, causing a heavy loss to the 
owner. Mr. Soderberg then resumed clerking 
until the following year, when he formed a part- 
nership with Andrew l)onnalst)n, under the lirm 
name of Soderberg it Donnalson, dealers in boots 



and shoes at No. 366 Lake Street. Tliey carry a 

fine line of goods, and are now enjoying an ex- 
tensive trade as the result of their fair and 
honorable dealing, their courteous treatment and 
their desire to please their patrons. 

In 1880 was celebrated the marriage of Mr. 
Soderberg and Miss Anna Kigenfelt, of Muskegon, 
a native of Switzerland. Five children have been 
born of this union, four sons and a daughter. 
The family resides at No. 32 Main Avenue. The 
fellow-citizens of our subject have recognized his 
worth and ability and have frequently called upon 
him to serve in positions of public trust. He was 
elected Supervisor of the Eighth Ward and served 
one year, was appointed Deputy- Sheriflf under 
William Hancock, and filled that office until the 
death of his superior. In 1892, he was elected 
County Treasurer of Muskegon County, on the 
Republican ticket, for a term of two years, and is 
now acceptably and creditably filling that office. 
The Republican party finds in him a stanch sup- 
porter. St)cially, he is connected with the Mac- 
cabees. During his residence in this community, 
Mr. Soderberg has lived so that he has won the 
confidence and high regard of all with whom he 
has been brought in contiict and gained a wide 
circle of warm friends. 



\}l^-^ ERHERT TIHSTELL, M. D., a leading 
' medicnl | r '.ctitioner and skillful surgeon 
of IMt.nlague, Muskegon County, Mich., is 
a native of Rockwood, Ontario, and was 
born .lanuary 8, 1863. His ])arent.-i, Francis and 
Amelia (Higinson) Thustell, were long-tinie resi- 
dents of Canada, widel}' known and highly re- 
spected. The father, an Englishman, was born 
near London in 1H30. He came to America with 
his father, Henjamin Thustell, when only five 
years of age. The paternal grandfather of tiur 
subject was a prosperous Canadian farmer, and 
held ollit-i:il positions of trust in the (^ut'cn's 



516 



yORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



dominions. Tlie Tliustells, originally emigrating 
from the Nellicrlands to England, attained to 
prominence in their adopted land, and when 
Benjamin Thustell made his home in llie Dominion 
of Canada the f^nglisli government also received 
his ellicient service. From his fiftli year reared 
and edncated in Canada, Francis Tiiustell tiiere 
attained to manhood and married the mother of 
our subject, the daughter of an Irish fatiier and 
an English mother. Tlie only brother of Francis 
Tluistell, the uncle of our subject, died when quite 
young and left two sons, one of whom, William, 
is now a resident of Chicago. The other, in his 
journeyings about, has been lost sight of. 

In the parental family were five sons and two 
daughters. Our subject, Herbert, was the next to 
the youngest of the living brothers and sisters; 
Laura married W. U. Cook, a prominent hotel 
man of Memphis, Tenn.; Edward B. is the popular 
proprietor of the National Hotel at Frankfort, 
Mich.; Alfred is a resident of Maguld, Mich., and 
is in the installment business; Walter is a success- 
ful merchant of Traverse City, INIich.; Henr^- is a 
professor in the University of Nevada; and Helen 
H. died at the age of seven years. 

Our subject was three 3'ears of age when his 
parents emigrated to Michigan and located in 
Grand Traverse, the days of his chilhood being 
mainly passed upon iiis father" farm, where lie was 
trained to habits of industry. lie attended the 
public schools and also enjoyed the advantage of 
a year's instruction in the High School of Traverse 
City, afterward entering the Michigan Agricul- 
tural College, in which he spent two years. Then, 
returning to Traverse City, he completed his High 
.School course and graduated with honor. In 
1889 Dr. Thustell matriculated in the medical de- 
partment of the State University, at Ann Arbor, 
and in June, 1892, received his diploma. 

Immediately after the close of his medical 
course, our subject located permanently in Mon- 
tague, where he has met with encouraging suc- 
cess, building up, in a comparatively short time, 
an extended and lucrative practice. Dr. Thustell, 
faithfully going his rounds alike in pleasant or 
inclement weather, commands the high esteem and 
confidence of the community by wliniii he is sur- 



rounded, and is considered by the general public 
one of the most able physicians and expert sur- 
geons of his locality. Young in years, our sub- 
ject has attained to an enviable position in the 
professional world, and, keeping abreast of the 
times by study and scientific research, has a 
bright future before him, and is rapidly winning 
his upward way to assured prosperity. 



4^ 



^^ 




THURSTON, 



eading general 



KNTON rnLKsr(»^\, a 

^ agriculturist and able .Supervisor of Chester 
Townshii), Ottawa County. Mich., was born 
March 20, 1841, in Sullivan County, N. Y., 
and was the son of Daniel Thurston, who located 
in Grand Rapids, Mich., in 1856. The mother, in 
maidenhood Miss Madison, passed awa^- in the 
Empire State when our subject was only a little 
boy. The father, a ship-carpenter, worked at his 
trade in Grand Rapids and also erected numerous 
buildings; he was also a millwright, and in 1858 
or 1860 built a large flouring mill in Lisbon. Re- 
moving to Lisbon, he handled merchandise for a 
time, but in 1861 went to ^Missouri and settled in 
Princeton. After the war lie removed to the east- 
ern part of the latter State and died there in about 
1881. He was twice married, and by the mother 
of our subject had five children. Frank resides in 
Pennsylvania; .lolin is a resident of South Dakota: 
Hannah is the wife of Jacob Mann; Benton is our 
subject; and Alfred makes his home in Colorado. 
Benton Thurston was mainl\- educated in the 
common schools of Ottawa County and was only 
a young lad when he began the battle of life for 
himself. Desirous of attending school, he worked 
for small wages while he was pursuing his studies, 
and was ein[)loyed variously in clearing land and 
in the lumber districts. In August, 1862, answering 
the call of the Government, he enlisted in Company 
II, Fourth Micliigan Cavalry, and was assigned to 
the Army of the Cuinlierhuid, being first under 
the command of (!en. Buell and later under R. II. 
G. Mintv, of Detroit. .Vctivelv partii'liialinij in 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RKCORD. 



517 



the battle of Periyville, and following in pureiiit 
of Morgan through Kentuck}-, Mr. Tlmrston took 
an active part in the engagements of Lebanon, 
Stone River and various skirmislies, after wiiich 
he returned to Louisville, later engaging in the At- 
lanta campaign. The brigade to which the regiment 
of our sulijcc'l belonged opened lire at t'liick- 
amaugua. Finally' camping near Louisville, after 
being mounted almost night and day, Mr. Thurs- 
ton barely missed being present at the fight of 
Nashville, and with his regiment went into winter 
quartei-s attJrand .Springs. In the spring of 18()5 
the i-egiment look part in the celebrated Wilson 
Raid through Tennessee and Georgia, and also 
fought the last battle at Columbia, Ga. Our sub- 
ject was cai)tured near Chattanooga, on the Tennes- 
see River, but was immediately paroled and was 
mustered out of service at Nashville, Tenn., in 
July, 1865. Enlisting as a private, he was pro- 
moled to be a Corporal, and was mustered out as 
a Sergeant after two years and eleven months of 
active service, arriving safely at home .July 14, 
1865. 

Having saved a considerable portion of the 
money received while in tlie army, .Mr. Thurston 
invested it in the eighty' acres of land upon which 
he now resides and which he purchased some time 
before the close of the war. The .acres were all 
heavily timbered, and during his absence twenty- 
acres were cleared. Upon his return home he cleared 
ten acres, and in 1865 and 1866 was logging in the 
White River country. He worked in different 
pl.ices and was engaged in various occupations 
until 1871, when he was united in marriage with 
Miss Elizabeth Rosenberg, a native of Michigan, 
and a daughter of Henjamin and Mary A. (Such- 
art) Rosenberg, early settlers of Ottawa County 
and of German parentage. Of the nine ciiildren 
of Mr. and Mrs. Rosenberg two died young. 
David resides in Grand Rapids; Elizabeth is Mrs. 
Thui"ston; Hannah, deceased, was the wife of J. P. 
Hurman; Henry, (ieorge, Mary and Emma com- 
plete the list. Mr. and Mrs. Rosen i)erg reside in 
Ottawa County. 

Our subject and his estimable wife have been 
blessed with the presence of four intelligent chil- 
dren: N'iola, N'iiinie, Earl and Hazel, \iola, an 



accomplished young lady, is a graduate of the 
Lisbon School, the High School of Grand Rapids, 
and the Training School of Grand Rapiils. .She 
taught successfully in 1892 in the citj- school, and 
will have the same |)Osition in 18it3. Vinnie ex- 
cels in music and will undoubtedly make that her 
profession. At the time of his marriage, Mr. 
Thurston had cleared and cultivated forty acres 
and built a small house. He has sixty acres under 
high cultivation now, and has also a peach and 
apple orchard and handles with profit a high grade 
of cattle, horses and shee|). Mr. and Mrs. Thurs- 
ton take a high social position in the best circles 
of the county and enjoy the confidence and regard 
of many old-time friends. 

Fraternully,our subject is connected with Lisbon 
Lodge No. 229, A. F. & A. M., and is Treasurer of 
the same, which responsible position he has held 
with fidelity many 3'ears. Politically an Inde- 
pendent, Mr. Thurston has occupied with marked 
ability various important positions of trust, and in 
1887 was elected Treasurer of the township; he was 
re-elected in 1888, and only beaten by three votes 
in 1889. In 1890 elected Supervisor, he has been 
re-elected each succeeding ^ycar and h.is discharged 
the duties involved to the great satisfaction of his 
fellow-townsmen. Widely known throughout Ot- 
tawa County, our sul)ject is exceedingly pc>pular 
an<l counts his friends by the score. 




» A.l. C. E. STf)RRS, proprietor of Storrs' 
f Vineyard and a prominent citizen of North 
Muskegon, was born In West Marnett 
Township, Essex County, N. V., on the 
3d of September, 1833. He is an honored repre- 
sentative of a patriotic family that has furnished 
many valiant soldiers to our country in time of 
need. His father, Elijah Storrs, a native of Mid- 
dletown, Conn., served with courage and elliciency 
during the War of 1812, and from the rank of 
First Lieutenant was pronu)ted to be Captain as a 
rewaid for meritorious conduct. In 1M31 he re- 



518 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



moved as far Westas Smiimit County, Ohio, where 
lie located on a farm in Nurtiifield Township. 
Thence, in 1864, he came to Michigan and settled 
in Grand Haven, where he died at tiie age of 
eighty-five. 

The paternal grandfather of our subject, Joseph 
Storrs, was a native of Connecticut and served in 
the Colonial array during the Revolutionary War. 
He was of Welsh descent. The mother of our sub- 
ject was Julia, daughter of Mr. Ilolcomb, who 
served with the famous Green Mountain boys 
during the War of the Revolution. She was born 
and reared in Vermont, and after a happy wedded 
life of fifty-nine years passed to lier final rest, at 
the age of four-score and two years. The Hol- 
comb family originated in England. 

Elijah Storrs and his good wife were the par- 
ents of ten children, seven of whom attained to 
mature years, viz.: Clark N., a resident of North 
Muskegon; Wales F., deceased; Harriet W., the 
wife of C. H. Dunbar, of BrecksviUe, Ohio; Carl- 
ton L., of Grand Rapids, Mich.; Eliza A., the 
widow of Charles Reynolds, and a resident of 
Sturgeon Bay, Wis.; Maria L., the wife of James 
H. Coates, of BrecksviUe, Ohio; and C. E., the 
subject of this biographical notice. The last- 
named is the youngest surviving member of the 
famil}'. At the time his parents removed to Sum- 
mit County, Ohio, he was about six months old, 
and his boyhood years were passed upon his fa- 
ther's farm. 

September 24, 1854, our subject was united in 
marriage with Miss Maria Van Noale, a native of 
Independence, Ohio, and inimediatel}' after their 
marriage the young couple came to Michigan 
and settled in Grand Rapids, where they spent 
the winter of 1854-55. Removing from that eitv 
to Clinton County, Ohio, the}' resided there until 
1858, when they returned to Michigan and lo- 
cated in Blendon Township, Ottawa Count}-. For 
two years Mr. Storrs was engaged in the mill and 
lumber business in Ottawa County, and in the 
spring of 1861 he purchased a one-half interest in 
a sawmill there. 

Shortly after the commencement of the Civil 
War, ^Ir. Storrs enlisted in Comi)any 15, Sixth 
Micliigan Cavalry, and in 1862 went to the front 



in the capacity of Department Second Lieutenant. 
In March, 1863, he was promoted to be Second Lieu- 
tenant, and on the ITtli of Jul}-, 186.3, was com- 
missioned Captain. He continued in that rank 
until he was promoted to be Major, on the 6th of 
June, 1865, and was serving in that position at 
the time of his discharge. lie participated actively 
in many engagements and at Nulii.as Cross Roads, 
July. 24, 1863, was wounded in the left slioulder 
by a minie-ball. He was honorably discharged 
at Leavenworth, Kan., October 10, 1865, and 
upon being mustered out of the service returned 
to his home in Ottawa County. 

Resuming his lumbering and milling business, 
which he had temporaiily discontinued, Maj. Storrs 
was thus engaged until 1876, when he disposed of his 
interests in Ottawa County and removed to Eaton 
Township, Mason County, this .State. There for 
a number of years he made his home on a farm. 
In 1882 became to North Muskegon in the ca- 
pacity of book-keeper for the C. N. Storrs Lurhber 
Company, a i)Ositi<)ii which he filled acceptably. 
In 1886 he |nircli.ased the Princeton Fruit Farm, 
the name of which he changed to Storrs' Vine- 
yard. This fine farm is devoted to the raising of 
fruits, a business in which the Major is particularly 
well informed. Twenty acres are planted in a vine- 
yard, while fifty acres are devoted to small fruits. 
From the vineyard are gathered an average of 
forty-five tons of grapes each season, and the 
grapes for Havor and ([uality are unsurpassed, if 
equaled, in the State. 

The Major and his wife have a family of three 
children: Alice J., wife of Leroy A. Franklin, of 
(irand Rapids; Frank, who aids in the cultivation 
of the fruit farm; and Maggie, wife of Elliott D. 
Prescott, a resident of Ravenna, Mich. M.aj. 
Storrs cast his first ballot in (Jhio in 1854, and 
has been a Republican ever since the inception of 
that party. In 1875 he represented Hlendon Town- 
ship on the Board of Supervisors of Ottawa Coun- 
ty, and he also served as Township Clerk and 
Highway Commissioner while residing there. In 
Eaton Township, Mason Count}', he served as 
Supervisor during the years 1877-79-80-81, and 
was a member of the Ho.ard of School Kxaminers 
of Mason County. He served as Supervisor of 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



519 



the township of Lakelon, Muskegon County, in 
1882 and 1887, and for i>nc year filiecl the po;,!- 
tion of Assessor of North Muskejjon. lie also 
served as Alderman of North Muskejjon for one 
vear. Socially, he is identified with Amos K. 
Slide Post No. 28(», Ci. A. R., at North Muskegon, 
and has frequently served as Commander of the 
post. In addition to local duties, he has been In- 
spector of the Department of Michigan of the 
Grand Army of the Republic, and is Food and 
Dairy Commissioner of the State. 



eAPT. SIMON BRENNAN, whose gallant 
services as a member of the Union arm^' 
during the Civil War won for him the title 
bj- which he is familiarly known, and who is now 
a prominent citizen of Georgetown Township, 
Ottawa County, was born in Nova Scotia, April 
22, 1840, and is the son of Simon and Elizabeth 
(Innes) Breunan, likewise natives of Nova Scotia. 
There were eight children in tlie parental family, 
live of whom are now living, two of the brothers 
having been killed while serving in the Civil War. 
The fifth of the family in order of birth is Si- 
mon, of this sketch. At the age of ten years he 
accompanied his parents to Massachusetts and set- 
tied with them in Boston, where he was a student 
in the public .schools. At the age of fifteen years 
he began to earn his own living, and for one year 
followed fishing during the summer and attended 
school in the winter months. During 18o7 he 
went to sea, and remained upon the ocean for a 
year, in the mean time visiting many of the prom- 
inent |)orts of South America. Afterward he 
coasted along the shores of the .Vtlanlic (Jcean for 
one summer, and spent the following winter in 
school, lie then returned to his home in Boston, 
where he woiked on a farm during the summer 
months and prosecuted his studies in the winter. 
In February of 1859, our subject came to Mich- 
igan and settled in Georgetown Township, Ottawa 



County, where he engaged in the sawmill business 
for one year, and later spent twelve months in a 
shipyard. In April, 18GI, when our country was 
calling upon all its patriotic sons to offer their 
lives in its service, the name of Simon Breunan 
was enrolled as a volunteer in Company 1, Third 
Michigan Infantry. Although at that time only 
twenty-one years of age, he was elected First Ser- 
geant of iiiscompany, in wliicli capacity he marched 
to the front. He was mustered into the State 
service at (irand Rapids, May 10, 1861, and one 
mouth later was mustered into the United States 
service. On the 15th of .lune his regiment left 
^Michigan and marched to the headquarters of the 
main army, at Washington, D. C. 

With his regiment he participated in the battle 
of Bull Ruti, where they su|)ported the battery, but 
were under tire, lie was also present at the siege 
of Yorktown, and the battles of Williamsburgh 
and Fair Oaks, where the regiment lost heavily 
and where he was severely wounded in the left 
arm. For some time after being injured, he was 
incapacitated for active service, and therefore did 
not engage in the seven days' fighting around 
Richmond. Upon recovering, he took part in 
Gen. Pope's campaign, until, on the 28lh of Au- 
gust, 1862, he was again wounded, this time in 
the right shoulder. This injury disabled him un- 
til after the battle of Fredericksl)uig. 

Later the Captain look part in all the active 
engagements of the Army of the Potomac prior 
to the battle of the Wilderness; at that engage- 
ment he was taken prisoner by the Confederates, 
and for a time was kept at Macon, Ga., whence, 
with six hundred otiier prisoners, he was taken to 
Charleston, S. C, and retained in that city for six 
weeks under fire of our own guns. Subsequently 
he was removed to Columbia. S. C., where he re- 
mained until the spring of the following year 
He was then paroled, and remained on parole 
until the close of the war, being mustered out 
June 10, 1865. He was promoted successively 
through the various ranks from Sergeant to Ca|)- 
tain, and was discharged with the latter title. 

Returning to Michigan a physical wreck, his 
constitution impaired by exposure and the hard- 
ships of marches and ciiiiip life, as well as by the 



520 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAl'HICAL RECORD. 



privations endured wliile in prison, tlie Captain 
was unable for some time to perform any manual 
labor. Believing that the climate of Colorado 
would prove beneficial, he went thither, and for 
two years engaged in lumbering in that State. 
Upon his father's death, in 1868, he returned to 
Michigan, and has since conducted farming opera- 
tions in Ottawa County. He is a general grain 
agriculturist and markets his products at Grand 
Rapids. 

On the 28th of March, 1872, the Captain was 
united in marriage with Miss Ruth E., daughter of 
William Haire, one of the pioneer settlers of Mich- 
igan. One child, Lillian, has blessed this union. 
A stanch Republican in politics, Capt. Brennan has 
filled the positions of Supervisor of Georgetown 
Township, Clerk, Highway Commissioner, and at 
one time was nominated for the position of Sher- 
iff, but was defeated at the polls. Socially, he is 
identified with O. P. Morton Post, G. A. R., at 
Manton. 



=^^>^^<i 




cev^ 



RANGIS HALL, an energetic and prosper, 
ous general agriculturist and a practical 
horticulturist, successfully cultivating a fine 
varietj- of fruit upon his homestead, pleasantly lo- 
cated upon a fertile section of land in Ottawa 
County, Mich., is a leading citizen of his lo- 
cality, and, an ardent advocate of temperance, is re- 
spected for his sterling integrity and high princi- 
ples. Mr. Hall is the descendant of sturdy Eng- 
lish ancestors, his father, William Hall, having been 
born in Utten Ambo, Yorkshire, England, twelve 
miles from the city of York. Emigrating to 
the United States in 1831, the father landed in 
New York, but tarried only a brief time in that 
metropolis, journeying tiience to Detroit, from tliat 
time his permanent liome until his death. His 
life-time occupation was the pursuit of agriculture, 
and by unceasing industry he thriftily accjuired a 
comfortable competence. Seven children clustered 
about the fatniiy hearth of tlie parents, and were 



in the order of birth: Thomas, Hannah, Ann, Mary, 
Willie, Francis and John, all natives of England, 
and with the exception of Thomas all accompanied 
the fatherand mother to America. William, Mary 
and Francis are now the sole survivors of the 
brothers and sisters. 

Our subject was born in 1822, and was a little 
lad eight years of age when he went to Detroit, in 
which city he continued to reside until 186!), at 
which date he came to his present locality. He 
received an excellent education in the public 
schools of Detroit, and, from the age of eighteen 
entirely self-supportiug, began in 1840 the manu- 
facture of tubs and pails. He continued in this 
line of trade for fourteen years, and for ten years 
was employed by E. B. Ward to assist in the con- 
struction of twelve large glasshouses used for the 
propagation and culture of grapes. In 1869, Mr. 
Hall, purchasing his homestead of one hundred 
acres, then all heavy timberland, entered with en- 
ergy upon the clearing and improvement of his 
farm, and has now brought under profitable cul- 
tivation flft3' acres, a portion of which is devoted 
to fruit, principally l)erries of all kinds. In 1855, 
Francis Hall and Miss Mary E. McDonald were 
united in marriage and for thirty-eight years have 
enjoyed a pleasant companiousiiip, with fidelity 
sharing each other's joys and sorrows. 

Financially prosi)ered, our subject lakes a high 
place among his friends and neigliljors and is con- 
sidered authority in fruit-culture, being especially 
successful in handling berries, shipping to outside 
markets some of the finest produced in the Wol- 
verine State. The union of our subject and his 
estimable wife has not been blessed by children, but 
Mr. and ]\Iis. Hall from their abundance are lib- 
eral givers and, kindly by nature, add to the iiai)- 
piness of others. They are valued members of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church and are foremost in 
the extension of religious infiuence and the good 
work of their locality. As a strong teniperancc 
advocate, our subject is deeply interested in lift- 
ing up his fallen brethren, and in all matters tend- 
ing to the elevation of humanity may ever he 
found upon the side of tiuth and justice. Fra- 
ternal l.y, our subject has since .January, 1815, been 
connected with the Iiulepeiident Order of Odd Fel- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



521 



lows, :iii(l li:is many .•^inuerc friends within tliat :iii- 
cionl order. I'oliliually a Uepulilicaii, Mr. Hall 
takes an aelive interest in local and national issues 
and is well versed in the vital interests and public 
affairs of the day, and, widely known, fully coin- 
niand» the esteem of the entire eomnuinity among 
whom his useful years are passed. 



^> ■ I > ' ■■ P ^T*i^i-l 




IIARLKS AT.KORD. Few citizens of Ot- 
tawa County have resided here for a longer 
■ifj period tlian has the subject of this brief 
sketch, who has lived upon his present farm in 
'I'allmadge Township since the fall of 184.i. Dur- 
ing the half-century of his residence here, he lias 
witnessed many wonderful changes, and has him- 
self been a prominent factor in facilitating the 
progress of his community. His services on be- 
half of his fellow-citizens are appreciated by the 
people of the township, and he occupies a high 
place in their regard. 

Horn in Lyons, Wayne County, N. Y., May 4, 
1817, our subject is the son of Itoswell and Eliza- 
beth (Carl) Alford, natives of New York State, 
the latter being a daughter of Benjamin Carl. 
Charles is the eldest child in his father's family, 
and was only five years old when he was bereaved 
by his mother's death. Afterward his father mar- 
ried again, and he remained with his father and 
step-mother until he reached the age of twenty- 
one. In the mean time he attended the common 
schools of Lyons, where he laid the foundation of 
the broad fund of information he afterward gained 
by practical education in the school of experience. 

At the age of twenty-one, Charles Alford com- 
menced to work as a farm laborer in the employ 
of othere, and continued thus engaged for one 
year. He then, at the age of twenty-two, est:ib- 
lislied domestic ties, and afterward began farming 
on shares, continuing in that way until the fall of 
184'!. Then leaving the county of his birth, he 
ciinie to Michigan and settled in Ottawa County, 
where lu- purchased- a tract of land in Talliniidge 



Township in the spring of 18L'». He still resides 
upon his original purchase and engages exten- 
sivel}- in raising grain and fruit, in bijlh of which 
he has met with success. 

On Christmas Day, IH.'i'.t. Mr. Alford was united 
in inarri.ige with Miss Melly, daughter of .loel 
Burch, a resident of Lyons, N. Y., and unto them 
there have been born eight children, only two of 
whom are now living. Ann married C. I'. Reed 
and resides at Ravenna, Mich.; and Hannah, the 
■wife of William Jlillard, lives in Ottawa County. 
The wife and mother departed this life in 18G7, 
leaving to her family and friends the memory of 
a pure and holy life, devoted with unsellishness 
and love to the welfare of her husbnnd and chil- 
dren. 

Since attaining his majority, Mr. Alford luis up- 
held with entiiusiam and (idelity the principles of 
the Republican party, his first Presidential vote 
having been cist for Oen. William lleiirv Harrison. 
Personall3', his services in public ollices are highly 
appreciated and he has served as Supervisor of 
Tallmadge Township for four years, and has also 
been Treasurer for a number of terms. It is to 
such citizens as he that Tallmadge Township owes 
the prominent position it occupies .is one of the 
first townships in the county. 




f|^ENRY D. BAKKR, dealer in books and 
stationery in Muskegon, was born in Hol- 
land, March 24, 18;i2. and is a son of .Mar- 
J) tin and Sarah (Van Overiik) Baker. They 
were farming people, and always resided in the 
Fatherland. Our subject is the seventh in order 
of birth in a family of twelve children, four sons 
and eight daughters, of whom four grew to mature 
years. His educational privileges were indeed 
meagre, but his training in labor w.is not so 
limited, lie learned the tr.ade of milling, which 
he followed until coming to America. He sailed 
from Liverpool, and after thirty-six days the vessel 



522 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



dropped anchor in the harbor of New York. After 
his arrival lie spent some time in Cliicago, and 
from there went to flrand Haven, and later to 
Grand Rapids, where he engaged in business for 
some time. 

In 1861, after the breaking out of the late war, 
Mr. Baker entered the service of his adopted coun- 
try as a member of Companj' K, First Michigan 
Regiment of Engineers and Mechanics. He was 
then engaged in the grocery business, and at the 
mustering oHice he was given ten days to dispose 
of his stock and make arrangements to go to the 
front. The regiment was assigned to the Army 
of the Potomac, and was under the command of 
Col. William P. Innis, of Grand Rapids. Mr. 
Baker participated in the battles of Stone River 
and Prairieville, and at the former was wounded 
in the fool by a rebel bullet. This necessitated his 
remaining in the hospital for several months and 
he was then sent to Detroit, receiving his discharge 
on account of disability in November, 1863. 

Returning to Grand Haven, Mr. Baker made 
arrangements to remove to Muskegon and on the 
4th of .lanuar}', 1864, arrived intliiscity. He im- 
mediately opened a book and stationery store, 
which he lias carried on continuously since with 
good success. He also has a branch store in Web- 
ster, Mich. The store is complete in all its ap- 
pointments, is furnished with a large and excel- 
lent stock of goods, and the proprietor is enjoying 
an extensive and lucrative trade, which crowns his 
well-directed efforts with success. 

In 1854 Mr. Baker wedded Miss Harriet G. 
Lewis, of Grand Rapids, daughter of William 
Lewis, and a native of Holland. Two children 
grace their union: Lizzie, now the wife of Dr. 
Kerry, of Muskegon; and Gertrude, at home. 
They have a fine residence, tastefully and beauti- 
fully furnished, and supplied with all the comforts 
that go to make life worth the living. 

Ill politics, Mr. Baker has been a stalwart Re- 
publican since the organization of the party. He 
is a Knight-Templar Mason, and lias been Treas- 
urer of Muskegon Commandery for twenty years. 
lie also is an honored and esteemed member of 
I'hil Kearney Post No. 7, G. A. U. He is also in- 
terested in otiier business concerns, owning con- 



siderable real-estate, including some of the best 
property in the city. He is President of the Build- 
ing and Loan Association of Muskegon, one of 
the solid financial institutions of the place, and is 
also a member of the Building and Home Associa- 
tion. The prosperity of Muskegon and its up- 
building and development are due is no small de- 
gree to our subject, who has been prominent in 
public affairs, especially in the advancement of 
those interests and enterprises calculated to pro- 
mote the general welfare. He well deserves rep- 
resentation in the history of his adopted county. 



ylLLIAM F. NUFER, a leading citizen and 
President of the Nufer Cedar Company, 
"Y/^ of Whitehall, Muskegon County, Mich., is 
numbered among the substantial business men of 
the State, and, widely known, is highly esteemed. 
He is a native of Columbus, Ohio, and was born 
September 14, 1847. His parents, Charles and 
Julia (Hiner) Nufer, were both natives of Freder- 
icklown, Md. The paternal grandfather was a Rev- 
olutionary soldier, and the family' were among 
the patriots who fought nobly for God and lib- 
erty. Mr. Nufer, our subject, had one brother 
and sister, but, the mother dying when they were 
very young, they were then separated. Martha 
J., the sister, married Martin Halbrook, a farmer 
now living near Warsaw, Iiid. The brother, Leon- 
ard, reared and finely educated by a wealthy widow 
in Ohio, after completing his studies was intrusted 
with the care of the property, which his benefac- 
tress intended to be(iueath to him. AVilli a prom- 
ising future before him, he was called away at 
the early age of twenty-eight years. 

Our subject, only five years old at the time of 
his mother's death, was bound out to a farmer, 
H. W. Bail, a resident of Madison County, near 
London, Ohio. Until nineteen years of age Mr. 
Nufer remained with this hard taskmaster, work- 
ing from four o'clock in the morning until late at 
night. For ten years he contiiuu'(l this severe 



l*oKTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



523 



round of labor without intermission, but in 1866 
left the farm whore he had spent so many years 
of servitude, .lourneying to the farther West, 
our subject located in Muskegon, Mich., and tliere 
secured employment in piling lumber in one of 
the large mills or on the docks. Continuing in this 
occupation a little less than a year, Mr. Nufer in 
1867 came to Whitehall, and here obtained a 
situation scaling logs and checking lumber on the 
docks, and on the very spot where his extensive 
shingle factory now stands. He knew absolutely 
nothing about the business in which he then en- 
gaged, but with a determination which has char- 
acterized his entire life he soon acquired a thor- 
ough knowledge of the various details required 
in the discharge of his daily duties, and became 
an expert upon the docks of a lumbering town. 

At the expiration of eleven years Mr. Nufer 
formed a partnership with Mr. Covell and en- 
tering into business under the firm name of Covell, 
Nufer it Co., began the manufacture of shing- 
les. This partnership continued for three years, 
during wliicli time our subject started another 
shingle factory on the site of his present mill, 
the (irm l)eing Nufer it Carlton. In 1884 this 
mill was totally destroj"ed by fire, but, immedi- 
ately rcl)uilt, the partnership continued until 1887. 
At this latter date the Nufer Cedar Coinpaiij- was 
incorporated, with William F. Nufer as President; 
Fred W. Nufer, his son. Vice-president; and Will- 
iam Nufer. another son. Secretary and Treasurer. 
The Nufer Cedar Company is the most extensive 
cedar-sliiiigle iiianufaelory in the United States 
east of tlie Uocky Mounlaiiis. It has a capacity 
of seventy millions, and it.-- inaikt't extends all 
over the country. 

The estin)al)le wife of our sul)jeet was in her 
maidenhood Miss Kllen McOrade, a native of New 
York City, but, early removing to the West with 
her ptirents, attained to womanhood in Illinois, 
and later came to Michigan. Her parents are now 
dece:ise<l and but very little is known regarding 
their early family hislorv. Of the six children 
horn unto Mr. and .Mrs. Nufer, four survive. One 
died at eighteen inonlhs, and the other passed 
away at llu; age of eight years. William L., .Sec- 
retary and Treasurer of the Nufer Cedar Com- 



pany, is the eldest-born; Fred W., Vice-President 

of the company, was the next in order of birth; 
Nellie M. is the only daughter. Julius is the 
youngest of the family. The sons and daughters 
were educated in the High .School of Whitehall, 
and all occupy positions of useful inlluence. 

Politically, Mr. Nufer is a Republican and has 
filled with elliciency nearly all the town ollices, es- 
pecially as a member of the ^'lllage Council and 
as President, being most faithful in duty and ma- 
terially advancing the vital interests of his home 
locality. Fraternally, Mr. Nufer is associated 
with the Ancient Free & Accepted Masons, and is 
a Knight Templar. Prospered financially, he pos- 
sesses, aside from his business interests, a large body 
of farming land. Reginning life under adverse 
circumstances, Mr. Nufer has solely through self- 
reliant effort won his way upward to wealth and 
honor, and commands the respect and thorough 
confidence of the general iniblic. Known as a 
man of sterling integrity of character and fine 
business qualilications, he is ranked among the 
substantial citizens of Muskegon County, and is 
accounted a man of liberal spirit, ever ready to 
assist in all matters of mutual welfare. 



_^] 



-S3 



-^hK 



(3_ 



1^" 



f^_ riJKUT PKLGRIM. This prominent citi- 

|. zcn was horn in Troy, N. Y., .lanuary 0, 

18.')2, to the union of lleiidrick and Tiyntje 

(^; (Van Woudeiiberg) I'eigriin, natives of 
Holland. The i)arent,'< were married in tlieir na- 
tive country, and about 1817 braved Neptune"s 
tender inereies and came to .\meriia. The father 
was a weaver and followi'd his trade at Troy, 
N. Y., until about 18")l, when he came to Zeeland, 
Ottawa County, Mich. Settling on wild land, he 
began making improvements and soon had a line 
place. On this farm he remained until about 
18HI, after wliich he lived a retired life until his 
death, which occurred about 1887. Nine children 
were born to this much-esteemed couple, sevi'ii of 
whom are still living. .Mr. Pelgrim's f.alliei' was 



524 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



in the War of the Netherlands. He and wife were 
members of the Reformed Ciiurch, and both took 
a deep interest in religious matters. .She died in 
1863. Mr. Pelgrim was a Keinihlican in politics. 

The original of this notice was about two 3'ears 
of age when he came with his parents to Zealand, 
Ottawa County, Jlich., and in addition to a fair 
education received in the common schools he at- 
tended Hope College, at Holland, Mich., from 1866 
to 1869. After leaving college he clerked in a 
store at Vriesiand, and was also in a store at Grand 
Rapids, clerking in all about three and a-half 
j-ears. After tiiat he engaged in teaching in Mis- 
saukee County, this State, and followed this pro- 
fession with gratifying success for six years. 
During that time he was engaged in other occu- 
pations as well, and after leaving the schoolroom 
he came to Olive Township, Ottawa County, and 
located on section 21, where he bought railroad 
land. This was not much improved, but he began 
working on it and remained there until 1883, 
when he moved to Cadillac, where he made bis 
home for nine or ten months. He then returned 
to section 21, and tilled the soil on his farm until 
1886, when he sold out and moved to the place 
where he now lives. 

His first wife was Miss Jane Copier, a native of 
Holland, by whom he had five children, onlj^ two 
of whom are living, Henry A. and Adrain H., both 
at home. Mrs. Pelgrim died in 1883, and in Jan- 
u:\ry, 1888, Mr. Pelgrim was married to Miss 
Dirkje Ver Hoef, who was the daughter of Bert 
A'erHoef, a native of Holland. Two children 
weie born to the last union, John and Bert, both in- 
teresting little children. Mr. Pelgrim is the 
owner of forty acres, and he has it well improved 
and in a high state of cultivation. He grows 
corn, wheat, oats, potatoes, etc., but raises very 
little stock, devoting all his time to his farm. In 
ills political preference he is a Republican, and he 
is now serving his first term as Supervisor of the 
township, discharging the duties incumbent upon 
that position in a very able manner. He served 
.as Township Clerk for two years, and li.as settled 
the petty difliculties of the township .as .Justice of 
the lVac(^ for the jiast eight years. Mr. Pelgrim 
is also interested in educational matters, and is 



Director of his school district. He is a member of 
the Reformed Church in his religious views. Last 
year he was Secretary of the Township Republican 
Central Committee. He is public-spirited and enter- 
prising, and is an enthusiastic supporter of all 
public enterprises. 



i****^ 



"^•■{••{••S''? 






Ji-^ ALVOR ANDP:RS0N is one of the many 
Jj substantial farmers of Fruitland Township 

who claim Norwa}' as their native land. 

His residence is on section 24, where he 
has a valuable farm, comprising eighty' acres. He 
was born in the western part of Norway in 1841, 
being a son of Oleson and Anna (Halveson) And- 
erson. The family tr.ace their descent through 
man^' generations as inhabitants of that land, and 
have alwa3's been noted for their honorable and 
trustworthy characteristics. Oleson Anderson was 
the son of a copper-smith. He had the advan- 
tages of a good education and made his home un- 
der the parental rooftree until attaining his ma- 
jority, when he came into possession of his father's 
farm, which comprised about eighty acres of good 
land. Mr. Anderson was a skilled general me- 
chanic, which trade he followed in connection with 
his farming duties. To himself and wife was 
born a family of seven children. Three of the 
number, Mary A., Carel and Olie, are still resi- 
dents of Norw.ay. Lewis and Andrew are both 
sailors, having their homes in tins country, llal- 
vor, of whom we write, is the second in order of 
birth, and Caroline resides in Wisconsin. The par- 
ents of these children are still living, though well 
along in years, and are members of the Lutheran 
Church, ill the faith of which our subject was 
reared. 

In his native country our subject w.as given a 
good education. When he arrived at man's es- 
tate he decided to remove to the United Stales, 
and after he had landed here he proceeded direct 
to Michigan, locating on his present farm. At the 
end of the year he enlisted in the defense of the 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



525 



land wliicli he intended should be lienceforth his 
liouic. When the time of his service lisid expired, 
he returned to his farm. Imt seeing llint witliout 
nie.ins he could do little for its improvement, he 
went into the sawmills, working for various par- 
ties for nearly ten years. During this time he 
carefully laid liy as niuch nmney as he could, and 
in 1871 returned to his farm, since which time he 
has given liis entire attention to its cultivation. 
This place, whicli was entirely wild land when it 
came into his possession, has been transformed un- 
der his careful hand, until it hears little tr.ace of 
its former condition. lie is justly numbered 
among the enterprising farmers of this township, 
where he is highly esteemed. 

October 29, 1870, Mr. Anderson was united in 
marriage with IMIss Caroline Ilalverson, by whom 
he has had six children. Two died in childhood, 
and those living are Albert L., Einnia. Ida and 
Etta. Mr. and Mi's. Anderson were both from 
childhood attendants of the Lutheran Churcii. 
Politically, the former is atliliated with the Repub- 
lican parly. In 18(!2 he became a member of 
Company K, Fifth .Michigan Cavalry, under Gen. 
Kilpntrick and Gen. Sheridan, lie took part in 
the battle of the Wilderness and was also in the 
equally famous battles of (iettysburg and Win- 
chester. Though he saw much active service and 
was ever to be found in tlie front ranks, he was 
never wounded or taken prisoner. When the 
storm clouds of war had rolled away he received 
an honorable discharge, on the 1st of .luly, 1865, 
in Detroit. 



-^^IIOMAS ,1. (^riNN, M. D., a physician of 
li^^ exceptionally line attainments and profes- 
'^^^^ sional ability, and a skillful surgeon of ex- 
tended experience, residing at No. 6U South Ter- 
race Street, Muskegon, Mich., has f or n (juarter of a 
century been identilicd willi Ihe vitiil interests of 
his present home, during this Icnglli nf linie en- 



joying an extensive and lucrative practice. Dr. 
(.juinn also successfully conducts a drug-store, 
carrying a complete line of drugs and sundries 
common to a first-class pharm.acy. He is a native 
of Ireland and was born in 184.'?. His father and 
motiicr, Thom.is and .Mary (Diiggan) <iuiiin, were 
likewise born in the Emerald Isle, iiiid were the 
descendants of a long line of intelligent and hon- 
ored ancestors, who through many generations wtm 
their upward way to positions of usefulness, com- 
manding the high respect of all with wiiom the^^ 
associated. 

Dr. (iuinn from his earliest boyhood enjoyed 
excellent educaticuial advantages, and having re- 
ceived the most thorough training and i)assed a 
high examination in his preparatory studies en- 
tered the Cniversity of Dublin. Matriculating 
in the medical department of this institution of 
learning, our subject completed with honor a 
course of instruction. For many years it had been 
the settled i)uri)oso of Dr. (^uinn to try his for- 
tunes as a physician in the world beyond the sea, 
and in 18(54 lie bade adieu to the scenes of child- 
hood, and, emigrating to America, landed safel}- 
in Canada, and for a twelvemonth practiced in 
Toronto, lie was as yet only a very young man, 
having a short time before attained his majority, 
but he was animated b^' hope and courage, and 
with resolution entered into the many trying ex- 
periences incidental to the career of the young 
physician. After some length of time he deter- 
mined to become a citizen of the I'nited St^ates, 
and thus avail himself of the many advantages 
offered by a republican government. 

In .luly, I8(!8. journeying to Michigan. Dr. 
(^uinn located in Muskegon, where he opened an 
oHice and has since prosperously- engaged in the 
demands of an extensive, and increasing round of 
practice. In 18G5, he received the degree of .M. I), 
in Toronto, Canada, and, a man of professional 
enterprise, keeps himself fully abreast of the times 
and is well posted on all the appliances and rem- 
edies of modern science. Uefore comirg to the 
United States Dr. (^iiinii had a varied experience in 
surgery, for ten months occupying the responsible 
position of Assistjint .Surgeon in the English navy. 

Ill 1H7.'), Thiima^ .1. i,)iiiiiii. M. D..mii(I Mi^s Mmy 



526 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Hitclicoek were united in marriage. The aceom- 
jjlished wife of our subject is a native of the Em- 
pire State, and, born in Kingston, is a daughter of 
Oliver Hitchcocic, a iiighly respected citizen of 
New Yorlv. The pleasant home of Dr. and Mrs. 
Quinn has been blessed by the birth of three in- 
telligent children, two sons and one daughter. 
Tliomas E. was the eldest-born; Clarence was the 
second in order of birth; Mary E. is the youngest. 
Our subject and his excellent wife occupy po- 
sitions of useful influence, and enjoy the esteem 
of a large acquaintance. Known in all good 
works of their immediate neighborhood, they also 
take an active part in the benevolent enterprises 
of the city, and in all matters of public welfare 
our subject lends a helping hand. 



^^ 




R,S. HANNAH C. BARNARD. In the 
twilight of her honored and useful exist- 
ence, surrounded by all the comforts of 
life and blessed by the thoughtful min- 
istrations of a host of warm personal friends, this 
venerable lad}' is living in her pleasant home at 
Iludsonville. As a pioneer of this State and for 
many years a resident witiiin its boundaries, she 
has witnessed its rapid development and aided, as 
far as possible, in its material, moral and religious 
prog]-ess. An earnest Christian woman, of more 
than ordinary ability and attainments, her power 
has been felt and her character honored, not only 
in the churches where her lot has been cast, but 
by the community at large. A noble life, full of 
sweetness and quiet trust; a name untarnished b^' 
seltishness or wrong-doing; an example of Chris- 
tian living worthy of emulation, such is the rich 
heritage that she can bequeath to her children and 
friends. 
^ The father of our subject, Jonathan Scott, was 

a native of Ixupeit. Vt., and was born September 
'.», I77.S. I e was a Captain in the War of 1812 and 
a Democrat in politics. His first wife, Hannah 
(Wood) Scott, a native of Middlelown, \'t., was 



born March 3, 1784, and died November 3, 1815, 
after having become the mother of five children. 
His second wife was Mrs. Rachel (AVheeler) Cook, 
who was born in Chesterfield, N. H., on the 3d of 
November, 1782, being the daughter of a Revolu- 
tionary soldier. By her first marriage she had one 
child, while her union with Mr. Scott resulted in 
the birth of three children, all of whom are de- 
ceased with the exception of Hannah Calista, our 
subject. The mother survived until the 16th of 
February, 1855, and the father passed away Feb- 
ruary 6, 1861. In religious convictions she was a 
Baptist, while he advocated the doctrines of the 
Universalists. They were pioneers of Michigan, 
having removed here in 1844 from Jefferson 
County, N. Y. 

Born in Ellisburg, Jefferson County, N. Y., 
March 1, 1822, the subject of this sketch was 
reared to womanhood in her native county, where 
she gained a good education. She followed the 
profession of a teacher both in the Emjiire State 
and after locating in Michigan. In 1846 she be- 
came the wife of Darwin E. Fisher, a native of 
V'ermont and for some years a resident of Canada, 
where he gained a good Fr^ich and English edu- 
cation. He died February 24, 1853, leaving a 
widovv but no children. In 1854 our subject be- 
came the wife of William R. Barnard, who was 
born in Buffalo, N. Y., August 16,1813. He re- 
ceived his education at Rochester, N. Y., and 
thence came to Michigan in an early day. After 
his marriage to our subject, he conducted the 
Eagle Hotel in Grand Rapids, which her former 
husband had purchased in 1850. After superin- 
tending the management of that place for one 
year, he built the Barnard House and ran it as a 
firsl-elass hotel until 1862. 

As a member of the Rajjtist Church, Mrs. Bar- 
nard has for years taken an active ])art in relig- 
ious enterprises. She is also prominently identi- 
ified with the Hudsonville Social Union, and con- 
tributes of her time and means to the various ben- 
evolent projects of the community. Of her sons 
and daughters we note the following: Maria 
Hatlisheba married and became the mother of five 
children, four of whom are now living. Asa Averiil 
Scott, who was born in Kllisburg, X. Y.. August 



PORTRAIT AM) 15IOGRAPHICAL RKCORD. 



527 



16, 1819, martied Miss Irene Rnwles, and they be- 
came the parents of six children, four of whom 
survive; he died in December of 1853. Annetta 
C'ali^ta, the wife of Myron Crc.iger, is the mother 
of two children and lesides in (inuid Rapids. 
George W. married Miss Mary Hrilton (now de- 
ceased) and their union resulted in llie liulh of 
one child, Lora, wlio is married and lives in .Seat- 
tle, Wash.; by his second marriage, (leorge W. has 
three children. Ilarley, a resi lent of Middleville, 
Mich., is married and has two children; and 
Henry, who is married and has one child, makes 
his home in Seattle, Wash. 



.0.' 



,E]1 



1^ 




ARC .1. RKISEGKR, the successful archi- 
tect and civil engineer, prosperously con- 
li ducting an extensive business in Muske- 
gon, Mich., is a native of the Netherlands, 
having been born on Ihe.'Jlst of October, 1861. 
llib father, Wesley M. Reiseger, a native of Holland 
and a descendant of a long line of ancestry born 
in the Netherlands, passed awa}- in liis native land 
in 1871. The mother, Cornelia (Feldman) Reis- 
eger, horn, educated and married in Holland, to- 
gether with the father beiiuealhed to the children 
habits of industrious thrift and sterling integrity 
f)f character. 

Mr. Reiseger received his |>riniary education in 
the home schools of his birthplace, and aflerwaid 
enjoyed the advantage of four years' training in 
the Polytechnic Colleges, located attironun. Hav- 
ing completed with honor a thorough course of 
drawing, civil engineering and architecture, he 
graduated from that well-known institution in 
1882. He was immediately employed by the Gov- 
ernment as Inspector of Government Works, vari- 
ous buildings iind railroads. In 1«87, .Mr. Reis- 
eger determined to try the bro.-ider iippurlunities 
fur advancement offered by the I'niled .St^ues, and 
bidding farewell to tlie f:imiliar scenrs .•iiid friends 
of his youth, emigrated to Aiiieric:i, l.inding in 
the city of New Vork. From the Knipire Slate he 
27 



soon found his way to Michigan, remaining a few 
weeks in Grand Rapids. He then went to Cheboy- 
gan and engaged with a contractor, with the ob- 
ject of gaining a practical knowledge of American 
building and to learn the language. In Decem- 
ber, 1887, he returned to (iraiid Rajiids, where he 
became accpiainted with H. .1. Kiiapp, who pre- 
sented to him aigtunents in favor of his location 
in Muskegon, where our subject in 1888 settled 
permanently for a few months, being in the ollice 
of Jlr. Knapp, but later engaging in business for 
himself. 

In 1888, Mr. Reiseger designed the North .Mus- 
kegon schoolhouse, and the style of architecture 
and general excellence of finish, comljining a 
handsome exterior with interior convenience, 
brought him a large and constantly increasing 
custom. He made drawings for a bridge to he 
erected across Lake Muskegon from the foot of 
Terrace Street to the French Mill, in North Mus- 
kegon, but the admirable design involved too 
great an outlay of money, and our subject is now 
drawing .another bridge, starling from Hayoii 
Street across Lake Muskegon to Herthaud Docki 
in North Muskegon, making direct connection 
with the gravel roads. The plan has Ijeen sul>- 
mitted, approved and accepted, and the bridge will 
soon be built by the comi)any. The entire length 
of the drawbridge is to be five thousand feet, 
and, constructed of iron, it will cost about *30,- 
000. Mr. Reiseger designed the palatial residence 
of James (iow, and also furnished the plans for 
many other magiiifiient homes, among the latter 
being those of Mrs. Fleming, Rudolf Mueller and S. 
and 15. .Smith. Our subject has likewise done some 
fine outside work, especially in Hastings, Mich. 
He designed the Muskegon Water Works Build- 
ing, the fJood Templars' Building at Lake Har- 
bor, and the Chase Bros.' Piano Work.s. 

In 1889, in (Greenville. Mich., were united in 
marri.age Marc .1. Reiseger and Miss L. G. Van 
Deinsc, of Greenville. Our subject and his ac- 
complished wife, residing in a beautiful home at 
the corner of Terrace and Hartford Streets, Mus- 
kegon, have been blessed by the birth of a bright 
little son, named in Iioikm' of his paternal grand- 
father, Wesley M. Politically a strong Repiib- 



528 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



liean and an ardent advocate of the part}', Mr. 
Reiseger is also fraternall.v connected with Low- 
ell Moore Lodge No. 182, A. F. & A. M., and 
is likewise a member of the Independent Order of 
Foresters. I'inanciali}- prospered, young in years, 
ambitious, energetic and enterprising, and withal 
possessed of professional ability of a high order, 
our subject has undoubtedly an enviable future 
before him. 



^i^™>RANKLIN B. WOODMAN. Those to whom 
l^^ has been granted the privilege of residing 
jt^ in Ottawa County for the past forty or 
fift}- years have witnessed an interrupted series of 
improvements. Where once rose the smoke of 
the camp fire now ascends the busy hum of indus- 
try from a thriving city. Where once the hunter 
roamed in search of game the farmer now tills the 
soil. Chaos has been reduced to system, and pov- 
erty has been replaced by prosperity. As one of 
the number whose efforts have contributed to se- 
cure these results, we present the name of F. B. 
Woodman, a resident farmer of Tallraadge Town- 
ship. 

The parents of our subject were Borden and 
Elizabeth (Brown) Woodman, the latter being the 
daughter of .Joseph and Elizabeth Brown. He was 
tiie sixth of a family of eleven children, and was 
born in Madson. Madison County, N. Y., October 11, 
1825. At the age of six years he was orphaned by 
the death of his mother and was then taken into the 
home of his maternal grandfather, Joseph Brown, 
by whom he was reared to manhood. In his youth 
lie attended the common schools of the neighbor- 
hood, but as they were of a very inferior order his 
education was rather meagre. 

At the age of nineteen years our subject com- 
menced to work as a day laborer, and was thus en- 
gaged until the fall of 1849, when, desirous of 
bettering his linancMal condition, he came to Mich- 
igan. Here he settled in the woods of Tallmadge 



Township, and purchasuig property began to clear 
the land and cultivate the soil of his present 
farm. He is now the owner of about one hundred 
acres, all of which are under excellent cultivation, 
devoted principally to the raising of cereals. In 
j the rotation of crops and fertilization of the soil 
he exercises good judgment, as a consequence of 
which his land is fertile and he is enabled each 
year to gather large harvests of golden grain. 

The lady who in 1845 became the wife of our 
subject was Miss Emily J., daughter of William 
Hammond, a resident of Herkimer County, N. Y. 
Mr. and Mrs. Woodman are the parents of five 
children, but only two are now living. They are 
Hannah S., who is the ^wife of Samuel Roach and 
resides in Ottawa County; and Charles Franklin, 
who married Miss Ann Elizabeth Ritchmiller, and 
makes his home with his father, assisting in the 
cultivation of the farm. In his jjolitical belief 
Mr. Woodman is a stanch Republican, and since 
casting his first ballot has always upheld the prin- 
ciples for which the party stands. He has offici- 
ated as Constable, and has also occupied other 
positions, where he has rendered efficient and sat- 
isfactory service on behalf of his fellow-citizens. 



»l — = 



i>-^<! 



.^^ 



CC!>— 




OEKE BOS. A glance at the lives of the 
representative men whose names appear in 
this volume will reveal many sketches of 
honorable and influential citizens, who 
have resided many yeai's in this countrj', but 
among them none is more worthy or deserving 
of mention than Mr. Bos, who is a true type of 
the successful and progressive Michigan farmer. 
He was born in Holland Township, near where he 
now lives, in 1853, his parents being Tunnes and 
Creje Bos, and his grandparents Doeke and (ireje 
Bos. The paternal grandfather, Doeke Bos, died 
in his native land of Holland, when his son Tun- 
nes w.as about three years of age. He was the 
owner of a small boat, and while sailing this craft 
was drowned. Tliu.-< Tunucs and his brother I'eter 



PORTRAIT AND BlOGRAPinCAL RKCORD. 



.')2n 



were left at a lender age to figlit life's bat- 
tles for themselves, nnd as soon as old enough. 
Tunnes began learning tiie trade of a tailor, 
which he followed for some time with success; 
hut this occupation was not at all agreeable to 
his tastes and he gave it up as soon as he could 
conveniently do so. At the age of eighteen years 
he entered the German army, in which he remained 
six years, a portion of the lime as a commissioned 
otlicer, although he was never in any war. About 
1848, when in his twenty-eighth year, being a 
young man of considerable enterprise and energy, 
he decided to make a home for himself and family 
in America, his brother Peter, who died at the .age 
of (ifty-scven years, having preceded him about 
one year. 

Upon the arrival of Tunnes Hos in the United 
States, he possessed but little means, and after 
sjjending one year as a laboring man in the .State 
of New York he came West .is far as .Michigan nnd 
linally found himself in Ottawa County. Inher- 
ent in liim was consider.able pluck, however, and 
he bravely endeavored to do faithfully and well 
all honorable work that came in his way, and al- 
though the struggle with adversity was at times 
bitter, it only made him the more determined to 
succeed, and he kept pcrseveringh' on his w.a^'. 
.Soon after Ids marriage, which occurred when he 
w.as quite young, he went to (Iraiid Rapids, IMicli., 
and the}' togetlicr obtained work with liic var- 
ious farmers of tlie vicinity and by honest in- 
dustry and frugality their little capital, which 
amounted to only ^1."), was greatly increased, and 
thej' were soon enabled to i)urchase ten acres in 
the vicinity of the city. There they lived and in- 
dustriously toiled for three years, then came to 
Holland Township, Ottawa County, and entered 
eighty acres of ( lovcrnmeiil land, which by per- 
severance they greatly improved and eventually' 

sold for the snug si <\' •■^l.rdKi. Willi this 

money Mr. itos purchased one hiiudied and ten 
acres on section ITi, where he now lives, and the 
improvements which lu' has put on the place have 
rendered it very valuable, lie and his wife are 
Mii'iiilicrs of the Ui'foniicd ('lunch of North llol- 
laiiil, ill which lie h.-is liecii an i-'.lili'i for n iiiiiiilicr of 
years. To Mr. l!o- and his wife a f.unilv of six 



children has been born: Doeke, the subject of 
this sketch; Peter, deceased; Kflde, the widow of 
Abel Nieiihuise; (iabrand, and two children who 
died in infancy. 

Doeke Bos, the iinmediate subject of this sketch, 
grew up in the locality in which he now lives, and 
upon first starting out in life for himself rented 
land of his father for one year, lie then inher- 
ited forty acres of land from his uncle's estate for 
the care he bestowed upon the latter until his 
death. To this land he h.as added from time to 
time until he is now the owner of one huiidre<l 
and twenty acres, all of which is carefully tilled 
and presents a thrifty and pros|)eroiis appearance. 
He made his home with his father until his mar- 
riage, which occurred when he was twenty-three 
years of age, to Martha Nienluiise, by wliom he 
has a family of six children: Tunnes, llaltic, 
Peter and Martin (twins), Gabrand and Greje. Jlr. 
and Mrs. Bos are worthy church members, and. 
politically, he is a Democial, although his father 
and brother have alwiiys beeen Republicans. 



» !»»■» >P ^ 



? ■ ' I ' -> 



(41 IfeYLLVS .S. WALKI.KY, M. I). The lu.ble 
\^f profession of medicine atTords to the stu- 
\^/sf/ <U'iii ill that science a never-ending source 
for investigation and experiments. New reme- 
dies are constantly being discovered, steady prog- 
ress is being made in surgeiy, and new diseases 
are presenting themselves under varying forms 
of civilization. Whatever may be said of the 
discoveries in other fields of knowledge, and cer- 
tainly they are astonishing, it can truthfully be 
said of this science that not one can equal it in 
the great strides it is making towards a compre- 
hensive grasp of the whole subject of man in rela- 
tion to health and disease — the |)revention and 
cure of ills that fiesh is heir to. In the noble 
aimyof workers in this great field. Dr. Wyllys 
S. Walkley takes a prominent place. He is a 
native of Hillsdale County. .Mich., born near llic 
vill.age of Hillsdale .lanuary 17. IKKi, to the union 



530 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



of Oliver and Parthenia (Smith) Walkley, both 
natives of tlie Nutmeg State. The father, who has 
followed agricultural pursuits all liis life, is still 
living and is in his eighty-fifth year. Our subject's 
maternal grandfather, Joel Smith, was of Scotch 
descent, his father having been a native of Scot- 
land. 

The subject of this sketch passed his boyhood 
and youth in Hillsdale and Muskegon Counties, 
and remained under the parental roof until eigh- 
teen years of age. In 1864 he enlisted in Company 
C, Twenty-third Michigan Infantry, under Col. 
O. L. Spaulding, and was assigned to the Twent}-- 
tliird Army Corps of Ohio. He took part in a 
number of engagements, the most prominent being 
Lost Mountain, Pumpkin Vine Creek, Peach Tree 
Creek and all the engagements around Atlanta, 
Jonesboro, Columbia (Tenn.), Nashville and Frank- 
lin, besides numerous skirmishes. He was acting 
Superintendent of the Freedman's Bureau, the 
Eastern District, in North Carolina for months. 
In 1865 he was transferred to the Twenty-eighth 
Infantry, commanded by Col. Wheeler, and was 
discharged on the 10th of .June, 1866. After 
leaving the army he came to Michigan, and shortly 
afterward commenced the study of medicine with 
Dr. Sinzs, of Newaygo, but in the mean time 
taught school. Later he entered the medical de- 
partment of the University of Michigan at Ann 
Arbor, and was graduated from that well-known 
institution in 1876. He subsequently began prac- 
ticing in Iludsonville. Ottawa County, Mich., and 
there remained until 1879, when he located in 
Spring Lake, and in 1885 at Grand Haven, wliere 
he has carried on a general practice since. 

The Doctor has met with good success in his 
chosen calling and gives abundant evidence of the 
ability which qualities him for a high place in the 
medical profession. He was ap[)ointed Marine 
Surgeon, and has held that position since Febru- 
ary, 1887. On the 16th of February, 1864, he was 
married to Miss Ida Skinner, of Casenovia Town- 
ship, Muskegon County, Mich., and the daughter 
of L. F. Skinner. Tlie fruits of this union were 
three children: Emile, wife of Peter .1. Danhoff, a 
prominent attorney of (irand Haven; Adaline, 
wife of ISerl Hatch, of this county; and Charlotte, 



wife of A. E. Ewing, a prominent attorney, re- 
siding in Grand Rapids. In politics Dr. Walkley- is 
a Republican, and he has shown his appreciation 
of secret organizations by becoming a member of 
Lake Lodge, I. O. O. F., at Spring Lake. He is 
also a nieraljer of Weatherwax Post, G. A. R. Mrs. 
AValkley died in the year 1873, and subsequently 
the Doctor took for his second wife ]\Iiss Olive 
McDonald, of Grand Rapids, and the daughter of 
Hugh McDonald. Mrs. Walkley is a native of 
Vermont, but in 1858 came to Grand Rupids, 
where she was a teacher in the schools for several 
years. She is an accomplished and cultured lady. 



^ YRUS J. DOVE, M. D. The noble profes- 
sion of medicine affords to the student in 
^ that science a never-ending source of in- 
vestigation and experiment. New remedies are 
constantly being discovered, steady progress is 
being made in surgery, and new diseases are pre- 
senting themselves under varying forms of civili- 
zation. Whatever may be said of the discoveries 
in other fields of knowledge, and certainly they 
are astonishing, it can truthfully be said of this 
science that not one can equal it in the great 
strides it is making towards a comprtliensive grasp 
of the whole subject of man in relation to health 
and disease, the prevention and the cure of ills 
that flesh is heir to. 

In tlie noble army of workers in this great field 
stands tlie name of Cyrus J. Dove, wlio is a native 
of Connecticut, born in Stamford, Fairfield Coun- 
ty, December 16, 1853. His parents, Daniel and 
Ruth (Heers) Dove, were natives also of the Nut- 
meg State, and the father was a man of means. 
Our subject attended the common schools of 
Ridgefield County, and later entered the High 
School, where he received a good practical educa- 
i tioii. Following that he read medicine in Michi- 
gan with Dr. Monroe, of Monroe, that State, and 
then went to Ft. Waviie, Ind., where he read un- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



531 



der Dr. Ilousman. Entering the Ft. Wayne Med- 
ical College, he graduated from that institu- 
tion in the year I87'.l. with the degree of M. D., 
and soon afterwards began practicing at IJards- 
towii, Ohio. iTinaining there a short time. From 
there he went to .laniestown, Ottawa Count}-, 
Mich., practiced there two years and then came to 
Muskegon. This was in IMHl.and he has practiced 
here ever since. He is a i)liysician who has ap- 
plied iiimself conscientiously to his profession, and 
the distinction he enjoj's is richly deserved. 

Dr. Dove was niarried in Michigan in 1871 to 
Miss Mary llightield, a native of Daiihury, Conn. 
She died in 1871, leaving one son, William B., and 
Dr. Dove married his present wife, formerly Miss 
Rose Belile, in 1888, their nuptials being celebrated 
in Muskegon. Her father, David Relile, wasa native 
of Canada. Our subject is a member of the (irand 
Redmen Society, and in politics is a Republican. 
In 18!)2, he took a special course of lectures in 
Chicago, and entered Rush Medical College the 
following year. He is a man interested in all en- 
terprises for the building up and improvement of 
Muskegon, and gives his support to all. Wliere- 
cver he has made his home, the Doctor is highl}- 
esteemed and has held a number of prominent po- 
sitions. He has practiced in this city a number of 
years now and is recognized by the profession as 
a man of brightest promise. 



M-^^$m^ 



:icr 



lUFUS W. .SKEELS, a successful agricul- 
^ turist and the owner of one of the finest 
A\V farms of Muskegon County, has for many 
'^ years resided on section 3, Ilolton Town- 
ship. His magnificent homestead of four hundred 
acres is one of the many valuable pieces of real 
estate which he has acquired during an exception- 
ally prosperous business career. In view, there- 
fore, of his close connection with the best interests 
of the county, a sketch of his life will possess 
more than ordinary interest for his fellow-citizens. 
Referring to tlic paternal ancestry of our sub- 



ject, we find that his great-grandfather, Jonathan 
Skeels, was a native of New York and a Captain 
in the Revolutionary War, where he served with 
bravery under Gen. Putnam and Ethan Allen. 
Grandfather Rufus Skeels, also a native of New 
York, fought in the War of 1812, and wasa farmer 
by occupation. A man of great ability, he served 
for many years as Treasurer of his county in New 
York, and occupied other prominent local olfices^ 
His death resulted from apoplexy, and occurred 
in 1815. He and his good wife reared five chil- 
dren: Theron, Nelson, Fannie, Eveline and Flora. 
The father of our subject, Theron Skeels, wjis born 
in New York, and after his father's death was ap- 
prenticed for six 3-ears to learn tlie trade of a black- 
smith. However, he became dissatisfied with his 
work and on account of disagreements with his em- 
ployer i)acked up his clothes and during the night 
time riuielly stole away from the house. In 1826 
he married Samantha, daughter of lliiain King, 
of Massachusetts, and seven children were horn of 
the union, viz.: Alnicda, who married Frank lOddy; 
Amos S., who married Mandy Bateman; Theron, 
who niarried Gusta Saulsberry; Ruth, wife of 
Lewis Cannon; Rufus W., of this sketch, who 
married Louisa Ball; Frederick and Harvey. 

Having emigrated to Ohio in 18.'{;{, Mr. .Skeels, 
8r., entered land from tiic Government, and in 
1836 located upon a farm in Cuj'ahoga County, 
where he remained until his demise, in 1887. In 
connection with agricultural pursuits, he con- 
ducted a blacksmith shop. In religious belief he 
was a rniversalist. Politically, he was in early 
days a Free-.Soiler, and afterward sustained the 
principles of the Republican party. He was often 
solicited to accept various local ollices. and w.as 
esteemed as a man of high character and superior 
ability. Ills wife was a devout member of tlie 
Methodist Ivpiscopal Church. .She died in 188J, 
mourned by all who knew her. 

Born in Cuyahoga County, Ohio, .August H. 
1836, the subject of this sketch was educated in 
the district schools and in Twinsburgh Seminary, 
working for his board while attending school. 
When fourteen years of age lie started out in the 
world for himself, and two years later joined an 
exploring parly, which traveled through the Ter- 



532 



PORtRAIT AND BiO(:;RAPHJCAL RECORD 



ritories of Iowa and Minnesota. He accompanied 
Jaciv Ilungerford in a search for mill sites and tim- 
ber-land in tlie interests of an Eastern land and 
lumber company. During the winter of 1852-53 i 
he remained in Minnesota, and spent his time in 
hunting and trapping. With his companions, he 
was at one time attacked by a band of Indians 
and was obliged to flee for his life, losing all the 
valuable furs and skins he had collected. At the 
time of the attack the hunters were gathered about 
the camp fire, and, being taken completely by sur- 
prise, were forced to fight at fearful odds. Two 
of the company were seriously wounded, yet all 
fought with desperate courage and reached in 
safety the nearest settlement of whites. About 
thirty Indians fell in the conflict. 

In 1854 Mr. Skeels located in Muskegon Coun- 
t3', and later built a mill in Oceana County, just 
across the count}' line. He still resided in Iloltou 
Township, where he has since remained. He pur- 
chased from the Government three hundred and 
twenty acres of hardwood timber-land, under 
the "Graduation Act" paying for the property at 
seventy-five cents per acre. For seven years in 
his little log cabin he kept "bachelor's hall," de- 
voting his time principally to hunting. To the 
east his nearest neighbor lived where the village 
of Fremont now stands, and to the southwest he 
had no neighbor nearer than Muskegon, twenty- 
two miles away. Such were his surroundings in 
former years. He has met with prosperity in his 
farming undertakings. As settlers have flocked 
to the county, improvements have been intro- 
duced, and the value of the land has increased 
proportionately. Commensurate with the progress 
of the county has been the prosperity of Mr. 
Skeels, who now owns, in addition to his home- 
stead, four hundred acres in Oceana County and 
one thousand acres of hardwood timber in the 
Northern Peninsula of Michigan. 

By his first marriage Mr. Skeels has two sons: 
Charles F., who married Geneveive Hannah, and 
Uufus T. These promising 3'oung men are gradu- 
ates of the Business College at Flint, Genesee 
County, and Kufus has been admitted to the Bar 
of the State of Michigan, being the youngest law- 
yer in the State. In 1861 our subject entered 



the service of the Government, enlisting for three 
months. Later he enlisted at Grand Rapids for 
a period of three j-ears, becoming a member of 
Company H, Third Michigan Infantry, and serv- 
ing with gallantry until the close of the war. He 
actively' participated in forty-three battles and 
numerous skirniisiies while connected with the 
Ami}' of the Potomac. For thirty days he was 
constantly under fire, and was present during the 
entire period of the battle of the Wilderness. He 
was seven times wounded, and each time was sent to 
the hospital at Washington. Entering the service 
as a private, he was mustered out as First Lieu- 
tenant, although at the lime a Captain's commis- 
sion had been granted him, and he received the 
pa}- of a Captain, being in command of a com- 
pany during much of the time. After having 
served with fidelity for three years and two months, 
he was honorably discharged, in .June, 1864. 

An expert shot, Mr. Skeels is a noted sports- 
man, and owns probabl\' one of the finest hunt- 
ing equipments of an_y hunter in Michigan. He 
sent to England a few j-ears ago and had made 
to order a double-barreled shot-gun, carrying thir- 
ty-five buck-shot from thirteen to fifteen rods, 
all witliin a three-foot circle. This magnificent 
gun has brought down sonic of the finest speci- 
mens of game ever bagged by any hunter, and is 
among the most valued possessions of the owner. 
Fraternally. Mr. Skeels is associated with Dahlgren 
Post No. 149, (i. A. R., at Holton, and greatly en- 
joys the reiiiHoiis with old comrades, among wlimn 
he has a host of friends. 



/^ IIANCY L. WHITNEY, Secretary of the Mus- 
[if ^1 keg(;n Pioneer and Historical Society, Presi- 
^^^ dentof the Muskegon Horticultural Society, 
anda proinineiit tk>ristand seedsman of Muskegon, 
was born at Allen's Hill, Ontario County, N. Y., 
.Inly 25, 18;}6. He is a son of Chancy W. Whitney, 
a native of the Kmpire Slate, born at Allen's Hill 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



533 



in 1812, .111(1 w:is a liotel-kcepcr aixi farmer by oc- 
cupation. Tlie Wliitncys for several gcnciations 
were rcsiflents of Connecticut, going there from 
.Southold, L. I., but tlie family originated in Here- 
fordshire, Kngland, near tlie line of Wales, early 
in the twelfth century. The lirst of the name 
came to America in 1649. 

The mother of our subject bore the maiden name 
of I'hcbeAnn Leach, and was born in IJIoomfield, 
Ontario Count\',N. Y..in 1813. She was a daughter 
of Payne K. Le.ich, and was a descendant of Welsh 
ancestors, who in early days resided near New Lon- 
don, Conn. She was married in Ontario County, 
N. Y., and in 1849 removed with her husband to 
Michigan, locating near I'tica, Macomb County, 
and residing there until her death, which occurred 
on Christmas Day, 1887. The husband and father 
passed from earth in 1867. In his |)oIitical allllia- 
tions he was a Republican, and had been one of the 
organizers of the i)arty. He served as the first As- 
sessor of Internal Revenue for his district, under 
the admin isti-ation of President Lincoln. In his 
religious connections he was a consistent iiitiiibcr 
of the Episcopal Church. 

In the parental family there were five sons and 
four daughters, of whom seven are still living, 
and Chancj' L. is the eldest of the number. 
After acquiring a good education he commenced 
to teach, at the age of sixteen, and continued thus 
engaged for a period of twent^'-five years. For 
four years he filled the position of Superintend- 
ent of the Public Schools of Dowagiac, serving 
with credit to himself and to the general satis- 
faction of the people. Leaving a professorship in 
the State Normal School, he came to Muskegon 
in 1868, and for two years filled the position of 
Superintendent of Schools of this city. 

Abandoning the profession of a teacher, Mr. 
Whitney turned his attention to horticulture, and 
has since engaged extensively as a llorist, in whieli 
he is a recognized authority, both throughout the 
States and in Canada. For five yeais he filled the 
position of editor of the MichUjan Teacher, being 
one of the founders of that journal, and his liter- 
ary lalxjrs have been highly successful. In 1887 
he assisted In organizing, and was chosen Secie- 
tary of, the Muskegon Pioneer ami I listniiful So- 



ciety, and is still serving in that capacity, as well 
as in the position of President of the Muskegon 
Horticultural Society-. 

On the 25th of July. 1836, Mr. Whitney was 
united in marriage with Miss Addeline S. Coucher, 
of Marshall, .Mich., and they are the parents of 
three children, namely: Chancy G., Assistant Audi- 
tor of the Saginaw, Tuscola A' Huron Railway, re- 
siding in .Saginaw, Mich.; Frank C, a clerk in the 
poslotticeat Muskegon; and Clarence W., who is at- 
tending the .Muskegon High .School, and resides with 
his parents. In his political o|)inions, Mr. Whit- 
nej- is a stanch Democrat, and has served two terms 
as Chairman of the Democratic County Committee. 
He has also filled a number of other positions of 
honor and responsibility, being at present a Trus- 
tee of the Northern Asylum for the Insane, at 
Traverse Citj', in all of which he has displayed 
excellent judgment and sound common-sense. 
Among his fellow-citizens he is highly- esteemed 
as a man of noble princii)lcs, unflinching integrity 
and generosity of heart, and these qualities have 
won for him the confidence of the people with 
whom he associates. 






r-l-1 



&0M OLSON, who is a practical and progress- 
/^^ ive agriculturist, and one of the popular 
\^^' citizens of Ilolton Township, .Muskegon 
County, resides on section 36. A native of Nor- 
way, he was born in 1844, and is a son of Chris- 
tian and Bertha M. Olson. His father was born 
in 181 1, and during the greater part of his life 
followed the occii|)ation of fanning, lie rented 
land, which he operated, and when he luid accum- 
ulated (niough monoy he brought his family, con- 
sisting of wife and live children, to the United 
States, the 3'ear 18.')4 witnessing their emigration. 
They crossed the Atlantic in a sailing-vessel, and 
after thirteen weeks spent upon the brin^- deep, 
reached the shores of the New World. During 
the voyage they enct>uiitered some very stormy 
weather. 



534 



PORTRAIT AND SlOGRAMlCAL feECORt). 



Christian Olson first located in Milwaukee, 
where he engaged in liie fishing trade or followed 
an^' other pursuit that would bring him an honest 
livelihood. In the fall of 1855, he came to wliat 
is now Muskegon County, Mich., locating in 
Fruitland Township, where he purchased Govern- 
ment land and engaged in lumbering for about 
SIX years. He then let the land go back to the 
State for taxes, as it was worth little after the 
timber had been cleared awa}-. For a time Mr. 
Olson was quite successful in his business ventures, 
but he lost a cargo of goods on a vessel, and this 
reduced his possessions greatly. In September, 
1859, he purchased eight}' acres of (lOvernment 
land where our subject now resides, and the fol- 
lowing year located thereon with liis family and 
began the development of the home. Its bound- 
aries he extended until one hundred and sixt}- 
acres yielded to him a good income. lie was 
called to his final rest in 1883. In religious be- 
lief he was a Lutheran, and his political views 
were those of the Reiniblican party. 

Tom Olson, whose name heads this record, was 
only ten years of age when he left the land of his 
nativity and came to the New World. He re- 
mained in school at Milwaukee for two years after 
his parents came to Michigan, and paid his own 
expenses while acquiring his education. He then 
rejoined his parents, with whom he remained un- 
til he had attained his majority, when he started 
out for himself. He purchased forty acres of 
State land for $50, and began the development of 
the farm, upon which he now resides. To tiiis he 
has added one hundred and twenty acres of land, 
secured from the fTOvernment, and the entire 
amount has been improved and cultivated until 
it is now one of the rich and fertile farms of the 
neighborhood. 

In 1865, Mr. Olson married Miss Sarah Ryerson, 
and 1)3' their union were born two children, Ole, 
and Ida, now the wife of Lewis Peclia. The 
mother of this family died, and Mr. Olson was 
again married, iiis second union being with Sarah 
Nelson, daughter of .lohn and Sarah (Sherman) 
Nelson. Her parents were natives of New York 
and had a family of eight children, of whom she 
is the youngest. Siic was born in Clay Hanks 



Township, Oceana County, Mich., in 1857, and by 
her marriage lias became the mother of nine chil- 
dren, of whom eight are still living, namely: 
Christian, Adma, Louella, Trouls, Holly, Caroline 
M., Nelson and Ivan S. 

Mr. and Mrs. Olson are both members of the 
Lutheran Chuicli. In politics, he is a supporter 
of the Republican party, and has been honored 
with the offices of Highway Commissioner and 
School Treasurer, filling the former three years, 
and the latter nine years. He is a public-spirited 
and progressive citizen, who manifests a commend- 
able interest in everything pertaining to the wel- 
fare of the community and its advancement. 



^^^ 



E^ 



J'OIIX I). VANDER WERP. Biography 
should be written for the sake of its les- 
sons — that men everywhere may place them- 
selves in contact witli facts and affairs, and 
' build themselves up to and into a life of excel- 
lence, not in any sphere, liut in their own right- 
ful place, where they may keep and augment their 
individuality. To record such a life is our purpose 
j in the following history of .lohn I). Vander Werp, 
I dealer in furniture, carpets and crockery at Mus- 
, kegon. As in everything else, so in furniture 
\ it always pays to get the best, and an establish- 
ment whicli has gained an excellent reiiulation 
[ for just methods is the one conducted by our sub- 
ject. Only reliable goods are handled, and the 
trade of the house extends far and wide. He keeps 
a well-selected and extensive assortment of the 
finest grades of goods of the latest styles, and he 
1 has a wide-spread and enviable patronage. 

Mr. A'ander Werp was born in Holland .Jul}- 
9. 1848, to the marriage of the Rev. 1). .1. Van- 
der Werp, pastor of the Keformed Church, and 
Alberta (IJoercnia) \'ander Wer|), both natives of 
j the Old Country, where tlie mother passed her 
entire life. Tlirec cliildien were born to this es- 
teemed ct)uple, and of these our subject is the 
j eldest. He spent his youth and schooldays in 



PORTRAIT AND BiOGRAPHlCAL RECORD. 



535 



Ills native country, ;»n(J remained uiulcr llu' par- 
ental roof until 18(il. when lie moved willi his 
parents to the Now World, his father having ac- 
cepted a call to become pastor of a congregation in 
(Iraafsehap, near Holland, Mich. They reached 
New York City a few days later, hut went direct 
from there to their destination, near Holland, Mich., 
where many Hollanders settled in 1847. Here 
John 1). attended the common schools and ac- 
quired a fair knowledge of the English language. 
After leaving school our subject began to work 
on farms for different parties, and followed this 
for some time. While near Holland, Mich., he 
met and married Miss .lacoba Van Zanten, their 
union being solemnized in the year 1869. After 
his marriage Mr. Vander Werp taught district 
school for one season, and then moved onto 
eighty acres of land, all except two acres covered 
with trees, which he had cleared and sowed to wheat 
the previous fall. This land he worked for four 
years. In 1873 he lost his wife, sold his farm and 
removed to Muskegon, Mich., and began driving an 
express wagon for his cousin, Fred Vander Werp, 
continuing this for one year. Following this he 
bought an interest in a hardware store on Pine 
Street, and continued in this business for two and 
a-half years. In 1877 he formed a partnership 
with .loseph E. Montgomery, under the firm title 
of Montgomery <fc Vander Werp, in the furniture 
and undertaking business in the Muskegon Na- 
tional IJlock, later the Hackley National Bank 
Block. 

In 1882 Montgomery ik Vander Werp bought 
the furniture stock of Jacob Hetz, taking into part- 
nership William S. Ilofstra, and continued business 
in that store for three 3'ears, in the mean time buy- 
ing the interest of Mr. Ilofstra. In 1885 was built 
his present business house, Nos. 28 and 3(1 West- 
ern Avenue, and in 1887 he bought the interest of 
J. E. Montgomery, which left him the sole owner. 
He has a fine line of furniture, carpets, crockery, 
lamps and glassware, using the entire building 
for his business, except a twenty-two feet store on 
the first floor. The size of his store is 55x100 feet, 
and it is two stories in height with a basement. 
Genial and courteous, and of exceedingly pleasing 
address, straightforward in his dealings iuid of ex- 



emplary habits, he has the confidence and resi>ect 
of all who know him, and has built up a thriving 
business. He is now Treasurer of the Muskeg(m 
Building and Loan Association, and is also Treas- 
urer of tlie .Muskegon branch of the Security .'having 
and Loan Association of Minneapolis, Minn. A 
member of the First Holland Christian Reformed 
Church, on Terr.acc .Street, he has been Deacon of 
the same for some time. For six years he was Coro- 
ner of Muskegon County, Sujiervisor of the city of 
Muskegon six terms, and one year was Chairman of 
the County Board of .Supervisors. In j)olitics lie 
supports Republican principles. In 1875 he mar- 
ried his second wife, .Miss .\nna Warnick, of Mus- 
kegon, Mich., and daughter of Egbert Warnick. 
Two children have been born to this union, Birdie 
and Edna. Mr. and Mrs. Vander Werp have a 
neat residence in a good neighborhood. No. 276 
South Terrace Street. 



ENRY E. PLANT, the owner of a fertile 
1)1* tract of land in Crocker}' Township, Ot- 
\^ tawa County, was born in Oswego County. 
^^ N. Y., October 11, 1811. and is a son of 
Henry B. and Charlotte M. (Trotier) Plant. His 
father was born in Salmon River, N. Y., in 1820, 
and emigrated from that State to Michigan in 
1854, via Chicago, settling upon a farm in Crock- 
ery Township, Ottawa County. Upon the eight}'- 
acrc track of wild land he there purchased, he 
conducted agricultural operations for a number of 
years, and succeeded in clearing the larger part of 
the property. Later he added to his landed pos- 
sessions by the purchase of forty acres, where his 
widow now resides. A farmer from boyhood, he 
continued to engage in agricultural pursuits un- 
til his death, which occurred May 23, 18'.>l, at the 
age of seventy-one years. 

The maternal grand|)arents of our subject, 
Lewis and Charlotte (RoUand) Trotier, were na- 
tives of France, the father of Charlotte having 
been a nolilciiKin in that counti\. 'I'lie mother of 



536 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



our subject was born in Canada, September 27, 
1819, and still makes her home in Crocker}- Town- 
ship, being now (1893) seventy-four years of age. 
Notwithstanding her advanced years, she is strong 
and hearty, and personally superintends the man- 
agement of lier farm. She is a member of tlie 
Baptist Church, to which lier husband also be- 
longed. Their pioneer home in j'cars gone by 
was brightened by the presence of five sons and 
one daughter, of whom wc note the following: 
Henry E., the subject of this sketch, is tlie eldest; 
Lewis D. resides in Crockery Township; Charles 
enlisted in Company I, Second Michigan Cavalry, 
and just before the expiration of his term of 
enlistment returned to his home, where he soon 
afterward died, .July 10. 1864; Albert resides in 
Grand Rapids, this State; Walter makes his home 
in Muskegon, Mich.; and Elizabeth, who resided in 
Michigan for thirty-four years, passed away on 
the 17th of April, 1893. 

In Oswego County, ]S. Y., the subject of this 
sketch was reared to manhood, receiving a some- 
what limited education in the common schools. 
In 1854, he accompanied his parents to Michigan, 
where he has since resided. At the opening of 
the Civil War, lie enlisted, on the 5th of Decem- 
ber, 1861, as a member of Company F, Fourteenth 
Michigan Infantrj', and served with bravery until 
the close of the conflict receiving his discharge 
on the 28th of July, 1865. He participated with 
his regiment in a number of important engage- 
ments, including the battle of Ilamberg's Landing, 
the siege of Corintli, Pittsburg Landing and luka, 
proceeding from the last-named city to Nashville, 
where for two months the regiment was cut off 
from all communication with friends. 

In the city of Nashville, from the fall of 1862 
until the spring of 1863 the subject of this sketch 
was employed on garrison duty. From Nash- 
ville he went to Franklin, Tenn., where he also 
did garrison duty. Thence he went to Colum- 
bia, Tenn., and remained in that place until 
■January of 1864, when, his term of service hav- 
ing expired, he re-enlisted, securing a thirt3--days 
furlough and availing himself of this opportunity 
to make a visit to his home. On reporting for 
dutv at Nashville, he was .assigned to the First 



Brigade, Second Division, Fourteenth Army Corps, 
and with his compan}' took part in the Atlanta 
campaign. After the fall of Atlanta they went 
to Savannah, consuming twenty-six days en route, 
and taking their Christmas dinner in the cit^' last- 
named. Leaving that place in .Januarj-, they 
crossed Sister's Ferry, marching to Columbia, S. 
C, and from there to Bentonville, and thence to 
Raleigh. In the skirmish at that place, our sub- 
ject served as color-bearer and fortunately escaped 
uninjured, although one man out of five, upon an 
average, was killed or wounded. 

From Raleigh the regiment marched to Rich- 
mond, Ya., where a few da^'s were spent. Then 
they proceeded to Washington, D. C, where thej' 
took part in the Grand Review. Later our subject 
was sent to Louisville, Ky., where he remained 
until the 18th of July, 1865. He was then 
mustered out of service, and upon going to De- 
troit received his final discharge and his pa^' for 
the period of service. Though he took an active 
part in many desperate encounters with the reb- 
els, he was wounded only upon one occasion, after 
the siege of Corinth, in 1862, when he remained 
in the hosiiital for a time. 

Shortly after returning to his home, Mr. Plant 
was united in marriage, October 25, 1865, with 
Miss Jennie .S. Clark, who was born in Seneca 
Count}-, N. Y., the daughter of Robert and Cather- 
ine (Yan Riper) Clark, The union has resulted in 
the birth of seven children, of whom the follow- 
ing survive: Emma Myrtle, who resides in Chi- 
cago; Carrie M., Lewis C, Pearl M., Bessie C. and 
Ernest L.. Jessie, a twin of Bessie C, died in in- 
fancy. E. M,vrtle is book-keeper for R. J. Boersma, 
of the Roseland Enterprise Company, Chicago. Car- 
rie M. is a head milliner in Saginaw, Mich. Lewis 
E. was a teacher but is now a student at Ann Arbor, 
Mich. Pearl M. is a te.achcr in the public schools of 
Chicago. The two younger are in school. While 
in Georgia Mr. I'laiit cast his first Presidential bal- 
lot for Abraham Lincoln, and since that time he 
has steadfastly adhered to the principles enunciated 
by the liepublican part}-. He has served as High- 
way Commissioner of Crockery Township, and has 
officiated in other local capacities. Socially, he is 
ideiitiru'd with Hartliolomcw Post No. 136, G. A. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



U., at Nuiiica, having served as Post Commander 
for two years and Adjutant for six years. Mrs. 
Plant is a member of the Wuiuan's Relief Corps 
No. 158, of whicli she is at present Guard. 

Tiie farm owned and occupied hy Mr. Plant is 
located on section 21, Crockery Townsiiip, nine 
miles southeast of Grand Haven luid two miles 
southwest of the village of Nunica. It contains 
forty acres of well-improved land, containing all 
the conveniences of a model country home. At 
the liini" he purcliased it, in .lanuary, 18()4, it was 
in its primeval condition, but he li.is cleared the 
land, erected the buildings, and transformed it 
into one of the finest farms of tlie township. 
This he has done tlirough diligent effort and un- 
tiring energy. 



^-^^*^ 



^Y7 AMES O'HARA, of Muskegon, was born in 
the cit3' of Le Roy, Genesee County, N. Y., 
on the 26th of July, 1860. His father, John 
l5»f' O'llara, isa native of County Sligo, Ireland, 
and came to this country' during the Irish famine, 
in 1846. His mother, Catherine O'Hara, nee Mc- 
Kenna, is a native of County Tyrone, Ireland. 
The subject of this sketch was the third of nine 
children, eight of whom are now living. In 1862 
the family removed to Wisconsin, where the falher 
taught school for several 3-ears, at Sheboygan, 
Holland, Waubeek, Boltonville, Newburgh and 
Manitowoc. In 1872 he became a civil engineer 
and surveyor, and has ever since held the otlice of 
County Surveyor of Manitowoc County, having 
alsf) ofliciated .is Surve^'or of Manitowoc City for 
a number of terms. 

In 1872Mr. O'Hara became a sailor on the Great 
Lakes, and followed thatcallingdiiring the summer 
seasons for fourteen years. Attending school in the 
winter lime, he was graduated in the spring of 1877, 
and taught distiict schools in Wiscunsin for several 
winters. In 1880 he entered the law ollice of Ks- 
tabrook A- Walker, at Manitowoc, Wis., where he 
conducted his legal studies for three winters. 



These gentlemen were leading lawyers of Wiscon- 
sin, the former being afterwards Attorney-Cieneral 
of that State for two terms, and the latter I'luted 
States District Attorney under Cievelaiul. 

In 1883, Mr. O'Hara entered the otlice of Hon. 
N. A. Hamilton, at St. .loseph, Mich., where he re- 
mained during that and the succeeding winter. 
He was admitted to the Bar at Berrien Springs in 
188,5, and spent the winter of that year at Chi- 
cago, III., in the otlice of C. K. Kremer, the leading 
admiralty lawyer in the West. Coming to Mus- 
kegon on .lul}- ;}. 1886, he entered the otlice of 
UeLong & Fellows, and subsequently, on the disso- 
lution of that firm, remained witii Mr. DeLong 
until the following year. In the fall of 1««7, he 
formed a partnership with Mr. DeLong, under the 
firm name of DeLong A O'Hara, and this connec- 
tion continued until August :$, 18!i3, since which 
time he h.is been |)iaciicing alone. At Muskegon, 
.May 22, 1H8'J, he married Miss Klorcnce Palmer, 
and their union has been blessed by tlie birth of 
one child, Chester Palmer, who was born February 
21, 1890. 

Mr. O'llara has had a large and extensive prac- 
tice in the Circuit, Supreme and Federal Courts 
and is well known throughout the Western Dis- 
trict of Michigan. Tiie Bar of Jluskegou County, 
in ability, has for years been noted as second to 
none in the State, and .lames O'Hara stands well 
to the front with the foremost men of the frater- 
nity. In politics, he is a Democrat, and takes a 
leading [ilace in the councils of his party. Socially, 
he is identitled with the Odd Fellows and M.ac- 
cabees, and is iiighly regarded in these organiza- 
tions. 



^^ + 



WILLIAM WACHTKR, the owner of a val- 
uable and linely-improved farm, located 
three miles southeast of Spring Lake, and 
a progressive citizen of Crockery Township. Ot- 
tawa County, is one of (Icrmany's sons. His 
birth occurred in Hanuver, September lit, IMiil, 



538 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORt>. 



and tliere he resided until about thirteen j-ears of 
age, meanwhile receiving an excellent practical 
education in the German language. In 1864, he 
accompanied his parents, John and Dora (Ronne) 
Wachter, from the Fatherland to the United 
States, and with tlieiii settled in the village of 
Spring Lake, Mich., where he resided about four 
years. 

For a number of years Mr. Wachter was em- 
ployed on the railroad, and as he received good 
wages he was enabled to support his parents in 
comfort until their death. His father, who had 
been a blacksmith in the Old Country, lived re- 
tired from active labors until his death in Spring 
Lake, about 1868. Afterward his widow married 
again, becoming the wife of Thomas Bell. She 
continued to reside in Spring Lake until her death 
in 1892. She was the mother of three children, 
William being the youngest. The others are: Eliza 
the wife of Henry Sims; and William, who died at 
the age of twelve years. 

Reared in Germany until thirteen years of age, 
our subject can speak and write German (luently; 
he is also familiar with the Dutch and English 
languages, speaking and writing in both with 
ease. After coming to the United States, he 
learned the trade of a blacksmith in the railroad 
shops at Spring Lake, but never actively engaged 
in the occupation. The first purchase of land by 
Mr. Wachter consisted of an eighty-acre tract six 
miles north of Nunica, which he sold about 1880. 
In December, 1882, he discontinued farming and 
located on the farm where he now resides. He is 
the owner of eighty acres, of which sixty were 
cleared at the time of the i)urchasc, and the re- 
maining acres have been cleared by the present 
owner. 

September 24, 1874, Mr. AVachter was united in 
marriage with Miss Clara Feitler, the daughter of 
John and Margaret (Ehrliardt) Feitler, and a na- 
tive of German}'. She accompanied her parents 
from Bavaria to America and settled with them 
at Port Washington, Wis., removing thence to 
Spring Lake. Afterward her parents purchased 
forty acres of land, and upon that place they still 
reside. Mr. and Mrs. Wachter are the parents of 
four living children, and have been called upon 



to mourn the loss of five by death. Those de- 
ceased were: Lewis, Johnnie, Eliza, Clara and 
Willie. The surviving children are: Maggie, 
Anna, Augusta and George. The first Presidential 
ballot of Mr. Wachter was cast for Gen. U. S. 
Grant, and he has since then maintained his alle- 
giance to the principles for which that famous sol- 
dier fought. He is a man of prominence in his 
community, and has served as School Director for 
two terms, besides filling a number of minor of- 
fices. 



^ OHN J. HOWDEN. Integrity, intelligence 
and system are characteristics which will 
advance the interests of any man, and will 
tend to the prosperity lo which all aspire. 
Such are some of the traits of the gentleman, Joiin 
J. Howden, who is the popular and al)le Treasurer 
and Secretary of the Muskegon Gas Light Com- 
pany, Muskegon, Mich. The present work was 
established in 1871 as a stock company, with L. 
G. Moses as President and James Clements Secre- 
tary. The business had been carried on for some 
time when our subject became deeply interested as 
a stockholder, and he is now one of the leading 
business men of the city of Muskegon. In this 
brief summary of points in Mr. Howden 's career, 
it should be said as an excuse for an omission, that 
a biography of more pretension could best convey 
the lessons of his life of industry and intelligent 
skill. Like the company he represents, tiie career 
of Mr. Howden is of value as showing that hon- 
esty, capacity and energy receive their reward at 
last ami in good iiie.asure. 

Mr. Howden was born in Ontario, Canada, in 
1846, and is a son of James and Ellen (Stephen- 
son) Howden. The father followed agricultural 
pursuits all his life, and. being industrious and 
enterprising, becanie one of the substantial citi- 
zens of ills neighborhood. He was a man possessed 
of more than the average amount of intelligence 
and wisdom, and his career w:is one marked by 



rOKTllAlT AND liltXJltAl'lIlCAL RECORD. 



539 



iipriillitiioss and lionesty. .loliii .1. Ilowflen was 
tlie cai'viT of his own destiny and made it an hon- 
orable one. From the time lie readied that period 
of life when his physieal slrenifth was sutticient to 
enable him to guide the plow, he began to con- 
tribute to the earning of his own bread. He re- 
ceived his scholastic training in the schools of 
Whitby, and remained under the i)arental roof 
until twenty-one 3-ears of age. 

In 1871, lie came to the I'liited States and for a 
time stopped at Port Huron, Mich. The same 
year he came to Muskegon and was employed by 
the Muskegon CJas Light Company, and for the 
pijst sixteen years has been its .Secretary and .Su- 
perintendent. He is now one of the principal 
stockhohiers of the company, and is highly es- 
teemed in leading financial and social circles. He 
is also largely interested in plumbing, gas and 
steam fitting, doing a large business in the latter. 

Mr. Howden chose his life companion in the 
person of Miss Maria Walker, of Whitby, Canada, 
daughter of Robert Walker, and their nuptials 
were solemnized in the year 1871. In politics, 
our subject is independent in local matters, vot- 
ing for the best man, and in his social relations he 
is a Knight Templar in the Masonic fraternity. 
He has a neat and pleasant residence at No. 214 
Webster Avenue, and is surrounded by all the 
comforts of life. His parents were natives of 
Ireland and emigrated to Canada in 1831. The 
Howden family is noted for longevity, some mem- 
bers of the same attaining the age of one hun- 
dred years. 



e^HjH^ 






li^^RACY WOODARI). an 

f(f^\^ cessful agriculturist of 



Muskegon County, 



(iRACY WOODARI). an iiitluential and suc- 

S^0' and the owner of a valuable farm in Moo. 
land Township, was born in the .State of New 
York Septemlier 12, 18;5(). He is the son of 
.loshua and Sophia (Kariiam) Woodard, natives of 
New York. The former, who w;is a farmer by occu- 
p.'itinii, removed in an early day to ((akiand 



County, Mich., where he remained twelve years 
engaged in tilling the soil. At the expiration of 
that time he disposed of his farming interests in 
Oakland County, and removed to Kent County, 
this State, where he resided until his death, in 
1853. He was a man of substantial and noble 
qualities, industrious, energetic and enterprising, 
and his children owe much to his counsel and 
assistance, as well as to the training received from 
their mother. 

The subject of this sketch was one of nine chil- 
dren, eight of whom are now living. His child- 
hood years were passed in a comparatively unev- 
entful manner upon his father's farm, and he 
gained such educational advantages as were af- 
forded by the country schools. At the .age of sev- 
enteen he commenced in business for himself, and 
for a time worked on a farm during the summer 
seasons and in the timber during the winter. In 
1864 he settled upon the farm he now occupies, 
where he has eighty acres of fertile land, upon 
which have been placed the improvements of a 
first-class estate. 

The marriage of .Mr. Woodard occurred in 1860 
and united him with Miss Celestia, daughter of 
Peter and Theda (Norton) Pickett, natives of 
Connecticut and New Y'ork, respectively. Of this 
union five children were born, four of whom are 
now living, Krnest, Harry, Alwiii and (Jrace. 
Carrie is deceased. In politics Mr. Woodard is a 
meml)er of the People's party and is deeply con- 
cerned in all matters of public interest. Ho has 
been elected by his fellow-citizens to various iK)si- 
lions of trust, having represented Barton Township 
upon the Newaygo County Hoard of Supervisoi-s 
for one term, also served as Commissioner of .Moor- 
land Township for three yeai-s and Treasurer for 
three years, being the present incumbent of the 
office last named. A prominent member of the 
(Jrange, he served as Master for one term .■uid 
Chaplain for a number of years, and upon several 
occasions has acted as delegate to the State (;ran"e. 
He also was Master of Pomona (Grange for two 
years. 

Although h;ivii«g tiie appearaucf of hcMllh. Mr. 
Woodard h;is been a physical siilTerer foi ni:uiN 
years and is mialile to perform niiv iiianiial lalinr. 



540 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



However, he superintends the management of his 
farm and attends carefully to every detail of the 
work. lie is one of tiie influential and highly 
esteemed citizens of Muskegon County, and his 
life, though unmarked by any stirring events or 
thrilling episodes, lias been been full of usefulness 
and crowned with honor. Those who have en- 
joyed the privilege of intimate association with 
him have found his wide experience and ripe wis- 
dom of invaluable assistance, and his circle of 
friends is limited only by the number of his ac- 
quaintances. 






^^ LARENCE W. .SESSIONS, senior member 
(I of the firm of Sessions & Bassett, attorneys 

^^(7 and counselors-at-law in Muskegon, was 
born in Ionia County, Mich., February 8, 1859. 
He is a son of "William Sessions, a native of New 
York State, who in 1837 removed to Michigan, 
locating in the township of North Plains, Ionia 
County. There for man}' years he engaged as a 
tiller of the soil, meeting with considerable success 
in his chosen vocation. In 1870 he retired from 
farming pursuits, and, i-emoving to the city of 
Ionia, has since made his homo at that place. His 
father, Nathaniel, was a native of Connecticut, 
and the family was for manj- generations prom- 
inent in the history of New England. 

The mother of our subject was Julia, daughter 
of .John and Eliza Jennings. Her two sons were 
named Clarence AV. and John F., the latter being 
a farmer. The former, who forms the subject of 
this sketcii, was reared on his father's farm in 
Ionia County, where amid rural surroundings he 
grew to a robust and sturd}' manhood. For a 
time he conducted his studies in the district 
schools, and later attended the High School at 
Ionia, from which he was graduated in 1877. 
Afterward he became a student in the University' 
(if Michigan at Ann Ailioi-, and was graduated 
fifiiii the literary <Uqi;irl incut of that institudon 
ill the Class of '81. 



Having resolved upon choosing for his life oc- 
cupation the legal profession, Mr. Sessions com- 
menced to study law under the able tuition and 
preceptorship of Mitchell & Bell, attorneys at 
Ionia, in whose office he conducted his studies un- 
til he was admitted to practice at the Bar in 1883. 
Opening an office at Ionia, he soon gained an ex- 
tensive and lucrative practice, remaining in that 
place for two years. In 1885 he came to Muske- 
gon and opened an office in the Masonic Block, 
later removing to the Merchants' National Bank 
Block, where he now occupies a pleasant suite of 
rooms. His present partnership with Frank II. 
Bassett was formed in 1890, and the members of 
the firm have an established reputation for ability 
and erudition. 

The marriage of Mr. Sessions, which took place 
in 1882, united him with Miss Mary S., daughter 
of Rev. Charles H. Foote, a Presbyterian minister 
of Ionia, Mich. Two children have blessed this 
union. The family residence is located at No. 
250 Webster Avenue, and is comfortabl}' and 
tastily furnished. The political belief of Mr. Ses- 
sions has led him into affiliation with the Repub- 
lican party, of which he is one of the most influ- 
ential members in this section of the State. He 
has served as a member of the State Republican 
Committee and the County Committee, in both of 
which organizations he has rendered efficient ser- 
vice on behalf of his party. For three years or 
more he has been a Director in the Merchants' 
National Bank of Muskegon. 



^>^r<i 



ERMAN LAN(;K()WEL, the enterprising 
j|) and well-known dealer in wood and coal of 
Muskeg(ni, Mich., born in Western Prussia, 
Germany, March 2, 1854, has from his 
early youth been associated with the rapid growth 
and upward progress of his present locality, and, 
greatly prospered, has amassed a comfortable com- 
petence, and, aside from coiidiictiiig his coal ami 
wood yard at the foot of Terrace Street, also owns 



P0KT1{A1T AM) r.lGCKAl'llRAL RECORD. 



.^n 



:iii<l successfully manages a sales and livery sta- 
ble on Lake Street. Tlie paternal graiulfallier, 
Charles Langkowel, Jr., emigrated to America and 
landed safely in New York in 1869. The father, 
a liaker by trade, after his arrival in the United 
Stales devoted himself to the pursuit of agricul- 
ture. Locating in Muskegon County, Mich., he 
made his home there for many years and passed 
peacefully away within the boundaries of the 
county in 1882. The mother, Alesia Steincke, 
died in her native land, Germany. She was a de- 
scendant iif a line of Germnii ancestors who by 
their sterling traits of character won their iqiward 
way to useful intluence. 

Herman Langkowel, our subject, remained in 
Prussia during his boyliood and attended the 
common schools of his birthplace, some seven 
years after the death of his mother crossing the 
broad Atlantic to a new home beyond the sea. At 
sixteen years of age, accompanying his father to 
America, he landed in New York City and directly 
proceeded thence to Michigan, locating in Grand 
Haven, where for twelve years he ran an hotel and 
the succeeding winter studied in the district 
school. In 1861 he removed to Muskegon, and 
here he was employed in the sawmill of John 
Torrent and Esaw Torrent for a time. In 1877, in 
partnership with Mr. I'etrie, he emliarked in the 
coal business, but later Mr. Petrie sold out and ]Mr. 
Langkowel, then assuming full charge of llic busi- 
ness, lias profitably continued in the same up to the 
present time. Huyiiig to excellent advantage by 
the vessel and car-load, he controls one of the larg- 
est trades in wood and coal (jn the Lake. 

Mr. Langkowel has been engaged for the past 
fifteen ^ears in buying and shipi)ing draft and 
coach horses, purchasing largely in Illinois. Fi- 
nancially prospered, he owns two hundred acres of 
valuable farming land, some of the best in Mus- 
kegon County. His sales and livery slal)le has 
proven an excellent investment and is i)atronized 
by a large and rapidly increasing custom. Al- 
though his time is mainly occujiied with business 
cares, Mr. Langkowel takes an .active interest in 
public issues, both local and National, anci, polit- 
ically, alliliales with the Di'MiocrMiic party. 

Fraternally a valued member of the Indepen- 



dent Order of Odd Fellows, our subject is likewise 
identified with the Maccabees and is also con- 
nected with the German Workingmen's Associa- 
tion, enjoying the friendship of a wide accpiaint- 
ance among these orders. Upon December 15, 
1877, were united in marriage Herman Langkowel 
and Miss Bertha Steubenrauch, a native of Louis- 
ville, Ky., but later a resident, for some time prev- 
ious to her marriage, of Muskegon. Our subject 
and his estimable wife have been blessed by the 
birth of two children, a son and daughter. Otto 
•and Emma. The comfortable and attractive fam- 
ily residence is pleasantly located at No. 314 Lake 
Street, Muskegon. 



1) 



'^j^^ON. J. W. MOON. M. C, capitalist and 
lumberman of Muskegon, was born in the 
township of \'an lUiren, Wayne County, 
Mich., .Ian nary 18. 1836, to which place 
his i)arents had removed two years previous from 
Ontario County, N. Y. His father, .Steward C. 
Moon, was born in 1798, in New York State, and 
is of English descent on his father's side, and Irisli 
on his mother's. He died in October, 1891, aged 
ninety-two years. His wife was Mary A. Snyder, 
of Jersey-Dutch ancestors, and a native of New 
Jerse3\ She was born in 1804, and lived to be 
seventy-six years of age, jjassing away at their 
home in Jackson County, Mich., in 188(1. 

I'litil eighteen years of .age, our subject took 
part ill the routine work on Ins father's farm, at- 
tending the district school during the winter sea- 
sons. In 1852, the famil}' removed from Wayne 
to Jackson County, and in December, 18.')l. leav- 
ing the shelter of the paternal roof , he commenced 
the battle of life in earnest. He went to the lum- 
ber camps on the Flat River, near the town of 
Greenville, Jloiitcalm County, where, in the fol- 
lowing spring, he secured work in a sawmill, and 
within nine inoiiths was found occupying (he po- 
sition known in those davsas"headsawver," from 



542 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



liis taking charge of the Iiimber-yarfls, attending 
to the selling of lumber, and sealing logs as they 
were drawn into the mill. 

In the spring of 1856 he removed to Muskegon, 
and found employment as head sawjer in the mill 
of Beidler Brothers, then one of the leading lum- 
bering firms on Muskegon Lake, with whom he re- 
mained in this capacity until the fall of 1860. 
Tlie year 1861 he spent on his farm in Ionia 
Count3', purchased with the savings from his 
wages, and in the spring of 1862, returning to 
Muskegon, he engaged as head sawyer with Rob- 
erts, Calkins &l Hull, with whom he continued two 
seasons, scaling logs in the woods during the win- 
ter months. In the years 1864 to 1867, he held 
the position of foreman of the mill during the run- 
ning season, and had charge of a lumber camp 
during the winters. The season of 1867 he ran a 
mill by the thousand, and in March, 1868, in corn- 
pan}' with Alexander V. Mann, organized the firm 
of A. V. Mann & Co., which continues, and up to 
1890 they were among the most extensive lumber 
operators on Muskegon Lake. The firm purchased 
the mill built the year previously by Shupe, Haines 
it AVeymouth, situated on Muskegon Lake, in the 
tiien village of Lakeside, since become a part of 
the city of Muskegon. The mill tlien had a capac- 
ity of about twelve million feet of lumber per 
year, which has since been materially increased. 
Tiie output for the season of 1888 was about 
twenty million feet, the firm employing in this 
work upwards of seventy-five men. The}' are 
largely interested in timber-lands in Arkansas, in 
which they own about a billion and a quarter of 
standing pine, and also own a one-third interest in 
a billion or more of standing pine in British Co- 
lumbia. 

Mr. Moon is Presidentand a principal stockhold- 
er of the Alaska Refrigerator Company, of Muske- 
gon, Mich. He is also President of the Muskegon 
Savings Uaiik. of which he was one of the organ- 
izers in 1887, and which has a ca|)ital of $50,000, 
having conducted a successful business from its 
inception. He is a stockiiolder in the Lumber- 
man's Natidiial liank, of Muskegon, and is I'resi- 
(Kiit of the Michigan Kire Ladder .t Truck Com- 
pany, of Craiid l{apids, organized in the s|)ring of 



1888. He has large real-estate interests in the cilv 
of Red Cloud, Webster County, Neb., near which 
he owns and operates an extensive stock farm, and 
in addition to these interests, he is a stockholder in 
the Farmers' & Merchants' National Bank of Red 
Cloud. 

In politics, Mr. Moon is a close adherent and an 
active supporter of the principles of tiie Repub- 
lican party. The township and village of Lake- 
side, which were built up mainly b}- the employes 
of A. V. Mann ifc Co., have elected him to various 
offices, among them being Township Treasurer, 
Supervisor and President of the village, etc. He 
was elected to the State Senate of 1885-86 from 
the Twenty-first Senatorial District, composed of 
Ottawa and Muskegon Counties, and re-elected at 
the close of his first term. During the second 
term as Senator, he was Chairman of the Senate 
Committee on Appropriation and Finance. INIr. 
Moon is an active member of the Methodist Epis- 
copal Church of Muskegon, and in this connection 
his name is well known throughout the State as 
one of the most active workers, both in time and 
means, in the interests of that denomination. 

Mr. Moon was first married in Februaiy, 1860, 

to Sarah M. Jliller, of Jackson Count}', Mich., 

.who died in October, 1861. In November of 1863 

he married for his second wife Miss Cynthia A. 

Hough, of Ionia County, Mich. She died May 8, 

1866. He was united in marriage January 23, 

1867, with Miss Alice M. Noble (his present wife), 
a native of New York State, but her father dying 
during her childhood she emigrated to Michigan 
with her mother and brothers in 1857. To liiein 
have been born six children, as follows: Paul S., 
who was born March 1, 1868; f J race N., March 18, 
1869; Dora A., March 28, 1874; Roy E., March 
15, 1875; John W., Jr., February 22. 1882; and 
Alice M., April 7, 1884. 

A Muskegon gentleman contributes the follow- 
ing: "The writer has had the |)leasure of an ixc- 
(luainlance with the subject of liiis sketch for 
more than twenty years. At its commencement, 
Mr. Moon was a young man, actively engaged in 
operating a sawmill iiere, uiulcr coritracl with the 
owners, by which :irr:iiigi'UU'iil he saved a few 
thousand dollars. This sum. togctlior with his 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RPXORD. 



543 



characteristic energy and high integrity, formed 
the foundation of his present fortune and noble 
business reputation. lie is large in stature, in 
benevolence, in public spirit and in heart. lie is 
of even tem])er, genial disposition and warm sym- 
pathies. I doubt if a person in real need and 
trouble ever applied to him without receiving a 
kind word and substantial aid. Many a young 
man now engaged in business has reason to be 
thankful f(u- Mr. Moon's kind and valuable coun- 
sel, often coupled wilii material assistance. His 
character is of the highest, and his habits unexcep- 
tional. Ills religious convictions are pninounced, 
and pervade his every-day life. He has been a 
member of the Methodist Kpiscopal Church since 
he was twenty-one years of age. and is one of the j 
most prominent and liberal members within the 
.State, though his reputation as a generous and 
cheerful giver to the church, its institutions and 
benevolence is by no means confined to our own 
commonwealth. By nature modest and retiring, yet 
his high character and integrity and broad and in- 
telligent ideas iiave forced him into many positions 
of trust and responsibility in ihe business and po- 
litical world, the duties of all of which have been 
promptly and faithfully performed. Altogether, 
it may be said of him that he is a broad-minded, 
pulilic-spirited, benevolent Christian gentleman, 
whose daily motto would seem to be 'Oood-will 
to all men' " 



EMKUV .1. HHAN, M. 1).. a >U(c."s>fiil pliy- 
sician and surgeon, enjoying a large prac- 
tice in Muskegon, 'Mich., and making a 
specialty of chronic diseases, in whose treatment 
he has achieved some marvelous cures and almost 
invariably relieved sulTi'iiiig, le-idi's at No. 21 
Clay Avenue, :iiid i> widely known not only in 
llic city, lull tliidiiglMiiil the sui loiiiHiing country 
and county of ( )itawa. Our sulijccl is a native 
of the rock-bound coast of M:iiiic .Miid was born 
within till' limit- of Oxfoiil County on the l.'Uh 
2« 



of June, 1850. His f.ather, George W. Beati, wlio 
was likewise a native of Maine, w,as the son of 
Tiinoth3' Bean, the paternal grandfather having 
also been born in Maine. The remote ancestors 
were of Knglish birth, but in the j-ear 1700 a 
paternal forefather of the Beans, forsaking the as- 
sociations of his earl}' life, crossed the Atlantic, 
and. landing upon the shores of New England, 
founded a familv earnest in purpose, steadfast in 
faitii and law-abiding in principle, and ensured to 
Maine a line of descendants all of whom occu- 
pied positions of useful inlluence, and some of 
whom have risen to distinction in the |)rofessional 
and literary world. 

The mother of our subject was Mary Kstes, also 
born in Maine and a daughter of Isaac Kstes. a 
native of Maine, the Estes fatnil}- having been as- 
sociated with the growth and jn-ogress of the 
good old State from a very early d.ay in its his- 
tory, but the remote ancestors were English and 
descendants of a long line of loyal British sub- 
jects. Dr. Bean passed the days of his l)oyhood 
in Oxford County, and prepared for college in 
Kent Hill, taking a classical course and graduat- 
ing with lion<jr in 1872. Immediately succeeding 
the completion of his studies in Kent Hill, our 
subject entered upon the i)rofe.ssion of a teacher, 
and for four years taught successfully in the near 
vicinity of his home. In 1873 Dr. Bean decided 
to try the broader fields of the West, and emi- 
grated to Micliigan. He at first located in Lud- 
ington, there engaging profitably in merchan- 
dising, and for five years gave his undivided time 
to the details of the business with excellent finan- 
cial results. Our subject, however, had a prefer- 
ence for a professional career, and gave up business 
and once again resumed study. 

Dr. Hean found a preceptor in Dr. .V. D. Kib- 
l)ie, a proininenl physician of I.udiiigton, with 
whom he read medicine, and later took a course 
of lectures in the State I'niversity of .Viin Arbor. 
Our subject afterward took a .second course in 
the Medical College at Memphis, 'I'enn., and was 
graduated in 1881), immeiliately afterward eng.ag- 
iiig in general practice .and surgery in (irand 
Rapids. Dr. l?eiin soon removed from Michigan 
to Tennessee, and prosperously practiced in that 



544 



PORTRAIT AND BJOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



State and Alabama until 1892, when lie took a 
post-graduate course in Rush Medical College, of 
Chicago, and thence came direct to Muskegon, 
where he gives much of his attention to chronic 
troubles and aggravated forms of disease. The 
success of Dr. Bean in many extreme cases has 
brouglit him patients from far-off Iowa, Illinois 
and St. Louis, Mo., as well as distant parts of 
Michigan. 

In 1871 Dr. Emerj' J. Bean and Miss Edwina 
McAlister were united in marriage. Mrs. Bean is 
a native of Maine and a daughter of Ephraim 
McAlister, well known in New England. One 
son, Reo F., a student at Rush Medical College, 
blessed the union of our subject and his estimable 
wife. Following in the footsteps of his father, 
tlie son is now preparing himself for the unselfish 
and exacting life of a ph3'sician. Our subject, 
while not a politician nor especially active in 
public matters, is deeply interested in Govern- 
mental issues, and is intelligently posted on all 
the questions of the hour. 



' I I 




ENJAMIN LILLIE, a highly esteemed pio- 
neer citizen and prominent general agri- 
f^j))||i culturist of Ottawa County, Mich., came 
with his brother Timothj' to this State in 
1843, and, locating tliree miles north of where La- 
mont now stands, they were the first white settlers 
of Wright Township. The brothers made their 
own road from Lamont, then only a landing place, 
known as Steele's Landing, to their farms, which 
at first were heavily timbered claims of a quar- 
ter-section eacli, covered with a dense growth of 
beech and maple. The brother later died on his 
homestead, leaving a large family. 

Our subject was horn in St. Lawrence Country, N. 
v., where he received an education, and attained 
to manhood. He was married tliere to Miss Philena 
Dic^kenson, and soon after, determining to try his 
fortune in tlie West, left her in the dhl home while 
he came to Michigan to prospect and secure some 



place to which he might bring his young wife. 
In the fall of 1843 Mrs. Lillie joined her husband 
in Ottawa Count3', and the two, reunited, entered 
with ambition into founding a new home amid 
the pioneer scenes and yet almost wilderness of 
this part of the State. Year after year Mr. Lillie 
devoted himself to the pursuit of agriculture, 
and, as the woods yielded to his axe and the cul- 
tivated soil responded to a bounteous harvest, 
financial prosperity crowned the industry and 
thrift of husband and wife. 

Ten children with their bright presence blessed 
the home of these early settlers of Michigan. 
After many years the faithful companion, who 
had shared the early struggles of our subject, 
passed away, mourned by all who knew her. Mr. 
Lillie after some time wedded again, and, once 
more bereaved by the death of a wife, a third 
time entered into matrimonial bonds and became 
the father of a numerous progeny. Until 1889 
Mr. Lillie continued to make his residence in Ot- 
tawa County, but at that date removed to New 
Iberia, La., where he is now engaged in the cul- 
tivation of sugar-cane. 

Roswell Lillie, the second son of Benjamin 
and Philena (Dickenson) Lillie, a very success- 
ful attorn ey -a t-law and a prominent citizen of 
Coopersville, was born in Wriglit Township and 
grew up to a self-reliant and enterprising man- 
hood in Ottawa County. Having first enjoyed 
the benefit of a good common-school education, 
Mr. Lillie afterward graduated with honor from 
the State Agricultural College, and later read law 
in Lansing, Mich. While pursuing his legal studies 
he taught school, and through liis own efforts has 
steadily won his upward way to assured success. 
In 1873 he opened a law otiice in Coopersville, 
and has since continued his residence in the lo- 
cality. 

In 1873 were united in marriage Roswell Lillie 
and Miss Mary Bennett, of Ann Arbor, in which 
latter place Mr. Lillie attended law lectures at the 
LTniversity, after being admitted to the Bar in L;ui- 
sing in the year 1872. Settling in Coopersville 
in the spring of 1873, he assooiatt'd himself in 
the mercantile business with K. .1. iMcNaughton. 
Afterward he sold out and spent four years in 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



545 



Mississippi, where ho iiamilorl iiu'icliaiidise, i>iit 
in .lanimry, 18;i:?, lie soUl out tlieic and returned 
aifain to his early home. 

Mr. Lillie is astaiich Democrat and held the oflice 
of Postmaster under tiie first administration of 
Clevehind, resij^ning in 18«tl loij;o into otlier busi- 
ness. He has held with ability nearly every office 
witliin the ijift of the people of Polkton Town- 
ship, and in the spring of 18!>;{ was elected to tlie 
office of Supervisor. For nine consecutive years 
his father held the responsible (Misition of Super- 
visor of Wright Township, and as a public ollicer 
commanded tlie confidence of all who knew him. 
Roswell Lillie has two children, a son and a daugh- 
ter, Ella and Hal. The parents are valued inem- 
bei-s of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and are 
active in good work. Krateriially, Mr. Lillie is 
connected with the Indei)eiidenl Order of Odd 
Fellows, and, prominently identified with the 
growing interests of the home of his youth, is a 
popular man, possessed of a wide acquaintance 
and a host of friends. 



ANS ASLAKSUN, one of the rcpio-ciita- 
'*^ live and progressive fanners of llolton 
^^ Township. Muskegon County, iasi<ling on 
^yi section :if). claims Norway as the land of 
his nativity, his birth iiaving occurred twelve 
miles west of Christiana in 183:3. He is a son of 
Aslak and Karen (Hanson) Tt)rl)arnson. The fa- 
ther was a molder in nn iron foundry, and followed 
that business from childhood. He began learning 
the trade at the age of ten years, and until his 
death carried on operations along that line. Hoth 
he and his wife were iiieiiibcrs of the Liithcian 
Cliiiich. 

( )ur siibjecl is one of a faiiiils uf >ix ciiildrcn 
and I lie only one who ever came to ihe Cnited 
.Stiit's. He ac<iuired a good literary ('<luc:itioii in 
the common schools of Norw:iy, whii'h he atlen<led 
until sixteen years of age, aiifl later he was a stu- 



dent in a school of mathematics, where he pre- 
pared himself for the life of a sailor. In his early 
youth lie was trained to habits of industry and 
usefulness and was early inured to hard labor. 
At the age of eleven he began working at the 
molder's trade witli his father, and w.as thus em- 
ployed for seven jears, when, at the age of eigh- 
teen, he shipped before the in.ast. He was on a 
voyage for two years, during which lime the ves- 
sel stopped at the port of Newcastle (England), at 
Italy, Dublin (Ireland), and New York, tlieii went 
to the West Indies, returning thence t<» Liverpool, 
England, and on lionu'. Mr. Aslakson then at- 
tended a navigation school for about two months, 
after whicii he again sailed. He remained upon 
tiie high seas until 18;")."}, which year witnessed 
his emigration to the New World. 

On coming to America our subject made iiis 
way to Milwaukee, Wis., and at once began sailing 
on the Lakes. He was thus employed until 1878. 
He sailed as mate for about ten years and was 
then promoted, being made i nptain of the vessel 
"Pauline," of Chicago, which he commanded for 
seven years. He afterward was captain of other 
ships. He was once wrecked by a storm and driven 
onto the rocks at Pilot Island, near Green Hay, 
while captain of the vessel "Henry Norton." 

During his residence in Milwaukee, Mr. Aslak- 
son was married, in 18,")!t, tiie lady of his choice 
being Miss Ellen M. Olson, daiigliter of Christian 
and Bertha M. Olson. Their union was blessed 
by a family of ten cliiblreii, as follows: Caroline 
M., wife of .loliii Maakestad; Louisa A.; Alexan- 
der; Ellen S.; Nora; Christina, wife of John An- 
derson; Christian, Anna, Norman and lienjamin. 
The mother of this family was called to her liiial 
rest in 1882, and her loss w.as deeply mourned b}' 
her family and many friends. In 18(!n, Mr. .\s- 
lakson purchased eighty .acres of land in Muske- 
gon County, Mich., and removed his family 
hither. During the winter season while his .ser- 
vices were not required on the Lakes, he cleared 
his land and began the development of a farm, to 
the cultivation and iinproveiiieiit of which he has 
devoted his entire lime and attention since leaving 
the Lakes. He has now a good home and farm. 
Possessing the thrifty and industrious habits of 



546 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



his people, he has acquired a comfortable compe- 
tence and now ranks among the substantial citi- 
zens of the community. He exercises ills right of 
franchise in support of the Republican party, and 
is a member of the Lutheran Church. 



flU^ ^^^- JAMES GOW. Of the various enter- 
prises that have made Muskegon one of the 
prominent cities of the county, the lumber 

y/ trade has always held an important place, 
employing large capital in its conduct and giving 
to cognate industries a decided impetus by the 
energy and ability displaced in its development. 
In every department the enterprise characteristic 
of its leading exponents lias been abundanth' 
shown, and the flourishing character of their es- 
tablishments amply demonstrates the vigorous 
grasp with which tiiey have seized and held the 
trade in this gigantic national industry. Among 
the most active, enterprising men engaged in the 
lumber business is Hon. .lames Gow, ex-Mayor of 
Muskegon, Mich. 

This representative citizen is a native of Can- 
ada, born March 17, 1846, to the union of John 
and JMary (Patterson) Gow, both natives of Can- 
ada, where they made their homes all their lives. 
Mrs. Gow's father was John Patterson. Our sub- 
ject passed his boyhood in his native country and 
spent his early days in attending the common 
schools of his neighborhood. He continued in 
school and on his father's farm until sixteen 3ears 
of age, when he was employed in a sawmill. There 
he remained until twenty years of age, and re- 
ceived ^9 per month for his services and his 
board. In 1866 he came to the United States and 
located in Muskegon, Mich., where he entered the 
employ of Mr. Turnbull in a sawmill. Afterward he 
w.as in different mills until ho had accjuiied a 
thorougli knowledge of the sawmill and lumber 
business. 

In the year 1881 our subject braiicluMl out in 
business on his own account in puitiR'rshi|) with 



Mr. Maj'ers, and the firm name became Gow, Ma3ers 
& Co. They engaged in the manufacture of lum- 
ber and continued in business together for years. 
Finally they took in a partner, and have been en- 
gaged since in the manufacture of pine and hem- 
lock lumber. The mills are on North Muskegon 
Lake and Mr. Gow is deeply interested in pine 
lands. He has the very best machinery in his 
mills and employ's a large force of men. In 1874 
he was married to Miss Julia S. Buich, a na- 
tive of London, England, and the daughter of 
■Samuel Burch, also a native of England. Mrs. 
Gow came to the United States when but a child, 
and settled in Muskegon, Mich., in her girlhood. 
Two children have blessed this union, Ena M. and 
Eva H. 

Mr. Gow is an ardent supporter of Republican 
principles and takes a deep interest in politics. He 
served one term as Assessor, and in 1892 he was 
elected Mayor of Muskegon, holding that position 
one term and discharging the duties of the same 
in a very satisfactory manner. He is a prominent 
Mason, a Knight Templar and a member of the 
Mystic Shrine. He is also a member of the Grand 
Army of the Republic. In 1891 he erected his fine 
residence on Peck Street, one of the most pleasant 
homes in the city. 



i^-^^ARLEY C. BEMENT, an honored pioneer 
~^i settler and representative general agricul- 
turist of Allendale Township, Ottawa Coun- 
ty, Mich., is a native of Steuben Couut^', 
N. Y., and was born January 3, 18.'5.5. He was the 
seventh child of a family of ten children born 
unto the union of llailey and Eliza (Briggs) 
Bement, natives of New York. The father, a 
fanner, left the Phiii)ire State for Michigan in 1836, 
and, arriving safe and sound at his destination, lo- 
cated ill Macomb County, being one of the lirst 
settlers within its limits. Michigan was yet a Ter- 
ritory, and the nearest neighbor was four miles 
awav. lie purchased land of the ( iovcniiiunl ami 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



547 



ns rapidly as possible transformed liis acres into a 
productive farm. At tirst the family were obliged 
to go to Mt. Clemens for tlieir Hour, and the fa- 
ther frequently carried it on his hack the long dis- 
tance of fifteen miles. The Indians, who were nura- 
erousjwere usually harmless, although given to dis- 
honesty, and upon one occasion during the absence 
of the family stole everything the house held, even 
carrying away the clothing of the mother and 
children. The father followed the Indians two 
days and recovered their table-knives, all ground 
to fine points, and his wife's silk dress, which liad 
been cut short in the skirt to be worn by the In- 
dians. The daughters' dresses were served in like 
manner, and everything which had been carried 
away was more or less injured. 

Heing a great hunter, the father was enabled to 
furnish meat for the table fresh from the woods, 
which abounded in game. In I8.'59 or 1840, the 
family removed to Ingham County, then one of 
the new counties of the State, the Rements being 
also pioneers of this locality. Here the husband, 
wife and children lived much the same as before 
for a time. The father assisted in building the 
first sawmill erected in Hardy, Livingston County, 
and which was on the county line of Livingston 
and Ingham Counties. He placed the largest log 
in that mill ever used in the construction of any 
building in the State, the said log being sixteen 
feet in length and six feet through at the top or 
small end. Remaining there until 1853, the fa- 
ther then made his home with his family in George- 
town, where he engaged in fariiiiiig and lumber- 
ing. He followed these various pursuits until the 
breaking out of the War, in 186(1, then, fired with 
patriotic ciitliusiasm, enlisted in the service of the 
Government. Born in about 1794, and his first 
wife in 1800, he was only a lad of eighteen when 
he joined the Sixth New York Infantry, and 
fought with courage in the War of 1812. He en- 
gaged with valor in the battle of I'laltsburgh and 
took an active pait in other tights, in one of which 
he was slightly wounded. He served throughout 
the period of the war and was honorably dis- 
chiirged at the close. Now, when again the coun- 
try had need of him, although no longer young, 
he promptly resiimidod, entering Company I), 



Seventh Michigan Cavalry, and enlisting as Vet- 
eran Surgeon of the company. He was attJiched 
to the Third Corps of the Armj' of the Potomac, 
l)ul only engaged in one battle, which was fought 
in Virginia. 

The father was one of the most robust men in 
the county when he entered the service, but when 
discharged from the hospital in W.ashington, D.C, 
having served one j'ear, his constitution was so 
shattered b^- exposures and privations that he was 
a physical wreck, and upon his return home was 
not able to do a day's work. Although then in 
his seventieth year he survived the scenes of the 
war until March 3, 1882. For eight years prior 
to the war he ably administered the law as Justice 
of the Peace, and in this oflice gave universal sat- 
isfaction to the general public. He was twice mar- 
ried. The first wife lost her life b3" the burning 
of their house in the township of Groton, she be- 
ing alone at the time. This was in June, 1856. 
The father and mother were both devout members 
of the Methodist Kpiscopal Church. Of the ten 
childi'en who brightened the old home, all lived to 
maturit}'. Harriet married L. Brown, and resides in 
Olive Township; Levi is deceased; Naomi, de- 
ceased, was the wife of J. J. Christian; Lavina is 
the wife of Pat Roe, of Grand Rapids; .Silas, who 
lives in Isabella County', Mich., served with cour- 
age nearly two years in the late war, and was 
wounded in the fight at Seven Pines or Fair Oaks; 
Eliza, deceased, was the wife of Moses Buxsou; 
Harley C. is our subject; demons died in the 
arm}' at Chattiinooga, Tenn., in 1863; and Priscilla 
and Silas are deceased. The father, a second time 
marrying, w.is then wedded to Mrs. Annie (Wood) 
Parker, who still survives and now, in her eighty- 
fifth year, makes her home with our subject. 

Harley C. Bement was educated in the common 
schools and mainly reared upon a farm, although 
he had engaged in lumbering as well prior to the 
war. Upon June 10, 1861, he enlisted in Com- 
pany 1, Third Miciiigan Infantry, and was in the 
Third Corps, Army of the Potomac. .Vt the time 
of enlistment he was made a non-commissioned 
ollicer ancl received pi'omotiou as sergeant. He 
actively engaged in the decisive engagements of 
Bull Hun, Yorktown, Williamsburgh, Fair Oaks, 



548 



f»ORTRAlT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Seven Daj's' Fight, and iiround Richmond, and also 
participated in the second battle of Bull Run, in 
which encounter he was three times wounded, 
lirst through his left hand. Before he could get 
ofif the field he was shot in the fleshy part of the 
right thigh, the third wound being given by a grape 
shot, which struck him in the back, tearing his 
cartridge box into pieces. From the effects of this 
latter shot our subject has never entirely recov- 
ered. Mr. Bement was then sent to Bellevue (N. Y.) 
Hospital, from which place he was discharged in No- 
vember, 1862, and returned at once to his home 
and family in Michigan. Since then he has de- 
voted himself to farming and threshing, and for 
seven years farmed for Edward Cole, of Ottawa 
County, hauling logs and lumber from the woods 
to the sawmill. 

In 1875, our subject went to Utah for the pur- 
pose of mining, first stopping at Salt Lake City. 
He remained in Utah one summer, but not finding 
his mining venture a success returned home and 
engaged in farming in the township of Groton,. 
from where he later removed to his present farm 
of eighty acres in 1882. At the time Mr. Bement 
purchased his Allendale Township homestead, the 
land was entirely unimproved, but the farm now 
contains fifty highly cultivated acres. In Feb- 
ruary, 1892, the residence and contents were en- 
tirely destroyed, and since then our subject has 
erected a handsome two-story frame building at a 
cost of $1,100. 

In 1857, were united in marriage Harley C. Be- 
ment and Miss Marinda Parker, a native of Ohio, 
and daughter of E. W. and Annie (Wood) Parker, 
who came to this State in 1855. Mrs. Parker later 
became the wife and widow of the father of our 
subject. Mr. and Mrs. Parker were the parents of 
seven children: Andrew, who resides in Ligham 
County; Amanda, deceased, who was the wife of J. 
Corlis; Herrick, deceased; George, a citizen of But- 
ler County, Mo.; Marinda, the wife of our subject; 
Ezekiel, who lives in Denison, Tex.; and Benjamin, 
who died in 1893, at Tucson, Ariz. Our subject 
and his estimable wife have been blessed by the 
birth of ten children. Lemuel was the eldest-born; 
Medora is the widow of Selh Barager, of Grand 
Rapids; Clonions, Pearl, Benjamin ('., Annie, Al- 



bert, Charles and Maude complete the list of in- 
telligent sons and daughters who gathered about 
the family fireside. 

Mr. and Mrs. Bement are both valued members 
of tiie First Christian Church of Georgetown. 
Fraternally, our subject is a member of William 
Thuskittle Post No. 388, G. A. R.. of which Mr. 
Bement was Commander two years and is now 
Senior-Vice. In 1883, demons Bement was thrown 
from a horse, and, his head being injured, was an 
invalid five years, and two years of the time was 
upon his back in bed and could not be turned nor 
moved. Science restored him in a great measure 
to health, but excellent care and a large outlay of 
money were needed to save his life and give him 
jjermanent relief. The family of our subject, 
widely known and highly esteemed, occupy posi- 
ions of useful iiilluence and command the confi- 
dence of many sincere friends. 



OIIN T. DAYTON, M. D., widely known 
as a successful physician and skilled sur- 
geon of Berlin, Ottawa County, Mich., is 
Ij^^' the son of Abuer Uayton, a native of Ver-" 
mont, and a man of fine character and profes- 
sional ability. Born in 1800, the father enjoyed 
excellent educational advantages, and was a grad- 
uate of medicine, receiving bis diploma in Castle- 
ton, Rutland County, Yt., in 1830. Later he be- 
came a leading physician of the Empire State, 
first locating in Rensselaer County, but afterward 
removing to Cayuga County and settling in West- 
bury, where he rapidly acquired an excellent prac- 
tice, and for eight years devoted himself entirely 
to professional duties. From Cayuga Count3-, the 
father journeyed to Allegany County, and for 
about eight years made his home in Wellsville. 
At the exi)iratioii of that time. Dr. Abner D.ayton 
emigrated to Michigan, and remained for a short 
time in the village of Saline. He then settled in 
Sandstone, .lackson Coiintv, and resided in that 



KJRTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RF.CORD. 



549 



locality about ten years. His last home was in 
Moshei-ville, wliere be remained until his deatii, in 
1H64. lie passed away mounied as a friend, 
neighbor and physician, and left behind him the 
memor}' of a well-spent life. 

Dr. John T. Dayton was born in Columbia 
County, Js. Y., in 1831, but he early removed 
with his parents to Cayuga County, and from 
there to Allegany County, in which place he re- 
ceived his primary education and attained to man- 
hood. He pursued the stud^- of his profession in 
.lefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, and then 
returned to Allegany County, wliere he for a 
time was profitably engaged in lumbering. Re- 
moving from Allegany County to Jackson Coun- 
ty, Mich., the Doctor remained in that localit}' 
but a brief period, when he removed to Han- 
over, Hillsdale County, and tliere remained for the 
succeeding twelve months. Our subject finality 
made a permanent home- in Berlin, where through 
storm or sunshine, until his health forbade, he 
went the wearying rounds incidental to the life of 
the family physician. He thus formed a wide ac- 
quaintance and made many friends. He is per- 
haps as well known in northern Ottawa as any 
man in the county. 

In 1852, Dr. John T. Dayton and Miss Martha 
M. Rolfe, of Allegany County, N. Y., were mar- 
ried. Mrs. Dayton was born in the Km|)ire State, 
and her parents were widely known and liighl3' 
respected by the friends and neighbors of their 
lifetime. Four children, all surviving, blessed 
the pleasant home. Charles F., married, resides in 
Orand Rapids; Clinton L. is a successful attorney- 
at-law of Leelanaw County, Mich.; Lois C. is the 
wife of A. U. Dickerson,of Reno, Mich.; and Delia 
Dayton Sackett resides in (Jreenfield, Tenn. 

(Jur subject bought sixt}' acres of his present 
farm soon after locating in Berlin, and now owns 
(jiie hundred and eight acres, mostly wild land 
when purchased by the Doctor, but now, with the 
exception of six acres, entirely under a high state 
of cullivation. Conducting with highly profit- 
able results general farming. Dr. D.aytoii also cul- 
tivates a variety of berries, for which lie linds a 
ready market. Although yet in the active i)rac- 
tice of his profession, our subject at linie>s is un- 



able to undergo the fatigues of the long rides to 
distant patients. His good wife is a valued mem- 
ber of the Methodist Church, and both are ever 
ready to lend a helping hand in behalf of relig- 
ious work and enterprise. Fraternally, the Doctor 
has been long connected with the Ancient Free & 
Accepted Masons, and has many sincere friends 
among the order. Politically a Republican, he is 
an ardent advocate of the party, and, interested in 
local and National government, yet has no desire 
to hold oHice. He and his family enjoy the re- 
spect and best wishes of all who know them and 
worthily occupy positions of useful influence. 



_E£] 



^+^! 



J'OO.ST KOOIMAN, who is now living a re- 
tired life in Grand Haven, is one of the 
worthy and esteemed citizens that Holland 
has furnished to Ottawa County. He was 
born in the Netherlands on the 17th of January, 
18.31, and is a son of Albert and Elizabeth (Van 
Der Meigen)Kooiman. His parents were also na- 
tives of Holland. Leaving their native land they 
emigrated to America and took up their residence 
in Michigan, where their last days were passed. 

Our subject spent the days of his childhood and 
youth in the Old Country midst pl.ay and work, 
no event of special importance occurring during 
his early years. He was a young man of twenty- 
one when he decided to leave his home and seek 
a fortune in the New \Vorld, of whose advantages 
and privileges he had heard sucii excellent ac- 
counts. Bidding g(K)d-bye to the friends of his 
youth and to the land of his birth, he in 1855 
ship|)ed as second cook on a vessel which landed 
him in New York City. He went from there to 
Buffalo, N. Y., and thence tt) (irand Haven, .Mich., 
where he located. 

Mr. Kooiman here began working on the dtn-ks 
as a laliorer, and was thus eniplo3e(l for several 
years. During that time he lived in an economical 
and fi'ugal manner, and invested his savings in 
real estate. From time to lime he has made judi- 



550 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRArHICAL RECORD. 



oious investments in such property, and as the 
land has risen in value as the population has in- 
creased, Mr. Kooimaii now owns extensive landed 
interests. 

On the 21st of August, 1860, our subject was 
united in marriage with Miss Antoine Danker, a 
native of Holland. ]5y tiieir union has Ijccn born 
a family of six children, who are as follows: Otto, 
a farmer of Ottawa County; John; Elizabeth; 
Annie, wife of .lohn Juisteman, of Grand Haven; 
Peter, who is now twenty-three years of age; and 
Laura, who completes the family. Mrs. Kooiman 
is a member of the First Hefouued Ciiurch. In his 
political afHliations, Mr. Kooiman is a Democrat, 
but the honors or emoluments of public office have 
no attraction for him. 

The wisdom and foresight of our subject in 
business matters have been shown by the success 
which has attended his ventures. He believed 
that it would be a profitable investment to put his 
money in real estate, and the years have borne 
out this opinion. As the county has become more 
thickly populated and the work of progress and 
civilization has been carried forward, our subject 
has reaped a harvest from his possessions, for the 
land has greatly increased in value. He still owns 
some fine lots and lesidence property, which yields 
to him a good income. He may truly be called a 
self-made man, for his success is due entirely to 
his own eS'orts. 






NNA VANDEN BOSCH. In mentioning 
those of foreign birth who liave become 
I i closely associated with tlie farming inter- 
ests of Ottawa County, Mich., we should 
not fail to present an outline of the career of Mr. 
Vanden Bosch, for he is one who lias fully borne 
out the reputation of that class of industrious, en- 
ergetic and far-seeing men of Holland nativity 
who have l>ecomc prtuninent in their different 
callings in this county. In everything connected 
witli the growth anrl pi< asperity of the county he 




has taken an active interest, and as a tiller of the 
soil he stands in the foremost ranks. Born in the 
province of Overyssel, in the Netherlands, in 18.30, 
he is the son of Tam and .Irieje (Bunt) A'anden 
Boscli, and the grandson of Jacob and Anna (Runt) 
Vanden Bosch, all natives of Holland. The grand- 
father followed the occupation of a farmer and 
owned the land on which he lived. His son, the 
father of our subject, was also a tiller of the soil 
in his native country, and was at one time the 
owner of eight\' acres. 

Tam ^'anden Bosch crossed the ocean in 1848, 
and with limited means made his way to Ottawa 
County, Mich., settling in (Jrand Haven. Later 
he was one of the first white settlers to locate near 
tiie present city of Zeeland, and there he entered 
eighty acres of land, on which he passed the re- 
mainder of his days. His wife died in 1868, and 
he breathed his last on the farm where he had 
spent the best years of his life, in 1877, when sev- 
enty-seven years of age. The community found in 
this worthy pioneer a faithful and unswerving 
friend, ever aleit to serve its best interest and 
generous in iiis contributions toward every move- 
ment tending to the general advancement. His 
children, nine in number, were as follows: Koene, 
residing in (jiand Haven; Melvin, residing in 
Zeeland; Peter, a resident of Holland; Jacob, re- 
siding in Zeeland; Anna,oiirsubject; Anna (daugh- 
ter), residing in Grand Rapids; Tallijen, who 
makes her home in Zeeland; Jrieje, in Zeeland; 
and John, in JHnnesota. 

The original of this notice was seventeen years 
of age when he came with his parents to America, 
and assisted his father in clearing and improving 
a farm. When twenty years of age he was mar- 
ried to Miss Jane Myer, and immediately afterward 
bought land. To their union were born four chil- 
dren, two of whom died in infancy. Those living 
are Tam and Maggie, both residing in Grand 
Haven. After residing for some time on the farm 
he had first purchased, he sold out and pur- 
chased eighty acres where he now lives, all wild 
and uncultivated. This farm he has since cleared 
and improved, and all the buildings have been 
erected by himself. 

In l.siU .Mrs. \ anden Bo.sch died, and lie sub- 



PORTRAIT AUD BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



551 



sequeiitly married Miss Jane Oebben, wlio bore liim 
one I'liild, .loliii. It is but just to say that our 
subject occupies a conspicuous and lionorable place 
auioii.<; tiie worthy residents of Ottawa County, 
for he lias always been honest, industrious and 
enterprising. He is well known in agricultural 
circles, and is recogni/.ed as a careful, energetic 
farmer, who by his advanced ideas and persever- 
ance has done much to improve the farming in- 
terests of his section. In politics, he was formerly 
a Republican, but now advocates the principles of 
the Democratic party. For about five years he 
served as Road Overseer, at Noordeloos. He is a 
member of the Seceder Church. 



-1=® 



i>-^^<i 



(Q;^ 



eIIARL?:s 11. CLARK. As an example of 
the usefulness and prominence to which 
, men of character and determination may 

attain, it is but necessary to chronicle the life of 
Charles H. Clark, thcefficient and capable Register 
of Deeds of Ottawa County, Mich, lie is a man 
of superior mental endowments, strengthened and 
enriched by the highest culture. He impresses one 
at once as a man of unusual strength, depth and 
grasp of mind, and is possessed of a large share of 
those trails of character tiiat go to make up a pop- 
ular citizen. He is a native of the Pine Tree State, 
born in Augusta February 8, 1835, and the son of 
Charles and I.oui.sa (Dearborn) Clark, both natives 
of Maine. The latter was tiie daughter of Asa 
Dearliorn, who was born in the old Hay State. 
The father of our subject w.is a farmer by occupa- 
tion, and followed that business for many years 
in the State of Maine. To his marriage were born 
eight children, four sons and four daughters, 
Cliarles II. being the eldest. 

The latter passed his school days in Augusta, 
Me., and when eighteen years of age decided to 
make his way toward the setting sun. He reached 
Michigan and settled in Ottawa Township, Ottawa 
County, where he eug.iged in the lumber business, 
and continued in this for some time, in fact get- 



ting his start in this business. In 1855 lie was 
married to Miss Abbie II. Wall, a native of Maine, 
who died in 1872, leaving seven children, four of 
whom are living: Charles F., a prominent farmer 
of this county; llattie H., the wife of James Hig- 
nell, of this State; Harriet, wife of Henjamin Har- 
lon, who resides in North Dakota; and Walter H., a 
lumberman and farmer, who makes his home in 
this county. All the children were well educated 
and taught school for some time. 

Mr. Clark selected his second wife in the person 
of Augusta B. Wall, sister of his first wife, and 
their union was solemnized in 1877. She was a 
most excellent woman, and died in 1887, leaving 
no children. In his political views, Mr. Clark is a 
strong advocate of Repulilican principles, ami for 
twenty years held the ollice of Su|)ervisor. In the 
fall of 1892 he was elected Register of Deeds on 
the Repulilican ticket, and assumed the duties of 
the ollice on the 1st of January, 1893. He has 
proved himself eminently worthy of the confidence 
reposed in him by all classes, and as an honor- 
able, upright citizen his reputation is not merely 
local, but extends over a wide stretch of country. 
Genial and courteous, straightforward in his deal- 
ings, prompt in the discharge of his duties, and of 
exemplary habits, be has the respect and esteem of 
all who know him. Socially, he is a member of 
Grand Haven Lodge No. 139, A. F. .t A. M. 



SAAC R. FRANKS. Our country owes a debt 
of gratitude it can never repay to the valiant 
defendei-s of the Old Flag, who, through storm 
and sunshine, marched bravely foi ward, enduring 
the summer's heat and the, winter's cold, the hard- 
ships of camp life and the perils of active eng:ige- 
ments with the foe. These veterans of the war, 
who sacrificed every comfort and periled their 
lives in the Union cause, have been widely scat- 
tered as the years have passed by; some have 
fought their last luittU' and have now entered 



552 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



upon the enjoyment of the final victory; others 
still survive, maimed and scarred it may be, but 
still taking their part as public-spirited citizens in 
the issues of the day. Among the survivors of 
the war who experienced all the horrors of the 
Rebellion may be mentioned the name of Isaac R. 
Franks. 

Now a successful agriculturist of Moorland 
Township, Muskegon County, our subject was born 
in Hardy County, Va., on the 9th of February, 
1826. He is a son of Isaac and Sarah (Harris) 
Franks, natives of Upper Virginia. His father, 
who was a farmer by occupation, removed to Ohio 
in 1829 and sojourned in Ashland County' until 
1836. He then removed to DeKalb County, Ind., 
and remained there until his deatli, which occur- 
red in 1873. Of twelve children, our subject was 
among the youngest. He was taken by his par- 
ents to Ohio at the age of three years, and spent 
his childhood in Ashland County. He grew to 
manhood in DeKalb County, Ind., meantime re- 
ceiving ordinary* educational advantages. 

May 25, 1851, Mr. Franks was united in mar- 
riage with Miss Alzina C, daughter of Lewis and 
Mary (Kise) Merryfield, and after his marriage he 
followed farming pursuits in DeKalb and Lagrange 
Counties, Ind., until the outbreak of the Civil 
War. In 1862 he enlisted in the service of his coun- 
try, his name being enrolled as a member of Com- 
pany G, Eighty-eighth Indiana Infantry, First Brig- 
ade, First Division, Fourteenth Army Corps, Gen. 
Thomas commanding. He is the survivor of many 
long marches and a number of hard-fought battles. 
He accompanied Gen. Sherman on his memorable 
march to the sea as far as Atlanta, and after the 
fall of that city he was sent to Jeffcrsonville on 
account of disability. From that place he was 
ordered to Nashville, and there received his dis- 
charge January 7, 1865. He now receives a pen- 
sion of $8 per month. 

During 1867 Mr. Franks made settlement in 
Moorland, Muskegon County, where he has since 
resided. In civic life, as in the army, he is cour- 
ageous, upright and persevering, and his name is 
a synonym for truth and honor. Althougli a 
great physical sufferer, the result of hardship and 
privation during his arm^' service, he has alwaj's 



been very industrious and has labored diligcntlj' 
to secure his present home. He and his wife have 
been the parents of five children, four of whom 
are living: James L., John R., Sarah E. and Albert 
G. Mary A. is deceased. Socially, Mr. Franks is 
prominent in tiie Order of Maccabees and the 
Grand Army of the Republic. In politics a Re- 
publican, he has served as Justice of the Peace for 
several terms and has occupied other positions of 
trust. 



^% 




/^■i UGUST SACK, who devoted his ener- 
^iU\\ gies to agricultural pursuits on section 
19, Dalton Township, Muskegon County, 
is a native of Germany. He was born in 
Prussia in 1819, and comes of an old family 
of that land. His grandfather served for thirtj' 
years in the German army against the Pope. The 
father, grandfather and great-grandfather of our 
subject all bore the name of August, and it in 
turn descended to him and was given to one of 
his children. August Sack, the father of our sub- 
ject, after arriving at man's estate married Louisa 
Lose, and they became the parents of the follow- 
ing children: August, Ernest, Frederick, Fernit, 
William and Wilhelmina. 

August Sack, Sr., was a sailor b3' occupation and 
followed that business throughout the greater part 
of his life. He became the owner of a vessel and 
was also its captain and sailed on the Baltic and 
North Seas. Until about 1853, he remained on the 
deep, but at that time he had a vessel loaded with 
rye and in a storm lost his cargo. Soon afterward 
he sold the ship and purchased a farm in the 
Fatherland, upon which he and liis wife spent 
their remaining days. He was a member of the 
Lutheran Church and was a man of sterling- 
worth. 

Under the parental roof the early childhood 
days of our subject were quietl}' passed, but with 
a love of the sea, inherited from his father, he 
too shi|)ped as a sailor at the age of fifteen and 
was upon the rolling main until thirty-five 3'ears 



PORTRAIT AKD BIOGRAI'IIICAL RECORD. 



553 



of an-e. The yenr 1^53 witnessed liis emigration 
to the New World. He landed in New York, and 
l)V way of the Lakes and the Erie Canal came to 
Michigan. In 1854, we find him in INInskegon 
County, where he has since made his home, cover- 
ing a period of almost forty years. 

Ere leaving New York, however, Mr. Sack w.as 
married, the lady of his choice being Miss Sophia 
Slorfe, who lias lieen a faithful companion and 
helpmate to him in the _vears which have since 
come and gone. Eight children have been born 
of their union, but two of the number died in 
childhood and August died at the age of thirty- 
three years. Elizabeth is now the wife of Andrew 
Miller. William is the next younger. Lena is the 
wife of William Hanson, and Caroline and Freder- 
ick complete the number. Mr. Sack and his fam- 
ily are all members of the Lutheran Church. In 
politics, he is asui)porter of the Re|)ublican party, 
but has never been an aspirant for oflice. He is 
numbered among Muskegon County's early set- 
tlors and has therefore been an eye-witness of 
much of its growth and progress. He has also 
aided in its development, and the best interests of 
the community find in him a friend. 



<A I^ILLI.VM M. .\NGEL, City Recorder of 
\/\/l ^^''•'"'' Haven, was born in Mooers, Clin- 
W^ ton County, N. Y., December 16, 1825- 
He tr.-ices his ancestry to Thomas Angel, who emi- 
grated from England to America in 1625, being 
the first representative of the family in this coun- 
try. (Irandfatlier Asa Angel was born in Rhode 
Island, and the father of our subject opened his 
eyes to the light in Cham plain, N. Y., in 1800, 
The mother of our subject was Mary Keyes. a na- 
tive of Vermont. 

The third in a family which consisted of four 
sons and two daughters, William M. Angel spent I 
his childhood years in Clinton County. At the 
age of ten he accompanied his father to Portage I 
County, Ohio, and there spent eight years, mean- 



time attending the common schools and complet- 
ing his education in an academy, where he pro- 
secuted his studies for two terms. In the fall of 
18 12 he removed to Ottawa County, Mich., and 
located in Tallmatlge Township, where he followed 
farming pursuits for a few years. While residing 
there, he was attacked with sciatic rheumatism, 
which resulted in a dislocation of the hip. 

In the fall of 1848 Mr. Angel was elected 
Register of Deeds for Muskegon County and has 
served in all six years. At the expiration of 
his period of public service, he resumed farming 
operations in Tallmadge Township, and continued 
thus engaged for two years. However, on ac- 
count of his lameness, he found it necessary to 
select a less active vocation than that of agricul- 
ture, and accordingly entered Hryant it .Slratton's 
Business College, where he spent the winter of 
1856-57. rpon linishing his commercial studies, 
he accepted a position as book-keeper in a country 
store at Eastinanville, and remained there for five 
years. Later he came toC^rand Haven and secured 
a position as book-keeper for a merchant and 
vessel-owner, with whom he remained for eighteen 
months. We next lind him in the drug business, 
under the firm name of .\ngel iVr North, in which 
he continued for four and one-half years, when he 
disposed of his interest in the store. 

For a time thereafter Mr. Angel conducted an 
extensive dry-goods business, the firm title being 
Angel & Beaudry. In December, 1869, the store 
was burned to the ground, and as there was no in- 
surance it proved a total loss to the proprietoi-s. 
They were enabled, however, to pay seventy cents 
on every dollar of their indebtedness. In the 
spring of 1870 Mr. Angel was elected Recorder 
and Police Justice, holding these positions for two 
years. He then formed a law partnership with L. 
B. Soulo, of Ionia, Mich., which continued for 
eighteen months. Afterward he was in partner- 
ship at different times with various prominent 
lawyers. In 1887 he wa.s elected to the odice of 
City Recorder, and was re-elected in 1880, 1892 
and 189;3. 

The inarriago of Mr. .Vngel occurred in 1853, 
and united iiiin with Miss Ann M. Inverts, of 
finuid R:ipi(ls, Mu-ii., the dauglilcr nf Schadiick 



554 



POrtTRAlT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Everts, of that place. Mrs. Angel was born in 
Niagara Count}-, N. Y. By lier marriage she became 
the mother of eight children, seven sons and one 
daughter, four of whom died in infancy. Charles 
H. died January 9, 1893, when in his twenty- 
fourth year. The surviving members of the fam- 
ily are: Anna, wife of D. W. Andrus, of Detroit; 
George E., of Detroit; and Harry A., residing in 
Chicago. 



*^E*^s* 



,^^LE C. OLSOI 

l(( I) *^^'''^" 3^' 
^^f' County, nov 






^LE C. OLSON, who is engaged in farming on 
Holton Township, Muskegon 
)w owns and operates one hun- 
dred and sixt}' acres of valuable land, of which 
one hundred acres are under a high state of culti- 
vation. In addition to the well-tilled fields there 
are many other good improvements, and the neat 
appearance of the place indicates the careful su- 
pervision of a thrifty and painstaking owner, such 
as our subject is known to be. 

Mr. Olson was born on his father's farm in 
Norway in 1842. His parents were Christian and 
Hertlia M. (Taufson) Olson. The former received 
quite a limited education, and throughout his life 
devoted himself to agricultural pursuits. He was 
married in liis native land and by the union were 
born six children, of whom one died in earl}' life. 
Those who came to the United Stales are: Caroline, 
wife of Swen Swensou; Ellen M., deceased, wife of 
Hans Aslakson; Ole, Tom and Christian. In 1854 
the parents left their native land and, accompan- 
ied by their family, came to America, locating in 
Milwaukee, Wis. After a year Mr. Olson removed 
to Muskegon County, settling first in Fruitland 
Township, but after a short time he removed to the 
neighborhood in which our subject now resides. 
During his early residence in this State he worked 
at lumbering. He bought land of the Government 
until he had secured several hundred acres, but 
when the timber was cut off the land was worthless 
and he let it go back to the State for taxes. He 



finally entered eight}' acres near where Ole now re- 
sides, it being a wild tract covered with hardwood 
timber, and he liad to cut the road for about three 
miles to liis farm. He died in 1883, at the age of 
seventy-two years. He was a member of the Lu- 
theran Church, as is also his wife, who still sur- 
vives him. He was born in March, 1808. 

The subject of this sketch remained with his 
parents until they came to Michigan. He was 
then fourteen years of age. Wishing to improve 
his education, he remained in jMilwaukee working 
at whatever he could find to do in order to secure 
a livelihood and make it possible for him to at- 
tend school for two more years. On the expira- 
tion of that period he joined his parents, and re- 
mained with them until twenty years of age. The 
following winter was spent in the lumber woods 
on the Muskegon River. 

In the spring of 1862 Jlr. Olson entered the 
service of his adopted country, enlisting as a mem- 
ber of Company F, Fifth Michigan Cavalry. He 
was never off duty a day until his company was 
mustered out at the close of the war. He partici- 
pated in over fifty engagements, among the most 
important of which were the battles of Gettysburg, 
Falling Water, Ashby Gap, Summerville Ford, Rob- 
inson Ford, Brandy Station, Buckland Mills, Kilpat- 
rick's Raid, the battle of the Wilderness, Yellow 
Tavern, Meadow Bridge, Haws" Shop, Cold Harbor, 
Travillion, Shepherdstown,Sraithfield, Winchester, 
Cedar Creek, Madison Court House, Five Forks and 
Appomattox Court House. During all this time 
Mr. Olson was never wounded nor taken prisoner, 
but was always found at his post of duty, faith- 
fully defending the Old Flag, which now floats so 
proudly over the united nation, and the cause 
which it represented. lie was honorably discharged 
at Leavenworth, Kan., June 29, 1865, and w.as mus- 
tered out in Detroit. 

Mr. Olson then returned to his home and began 
sailing on the Lakes during the summer months, 
while in the winter he worked in the forests. In 
the mean time he was married, in 1867, to Miss 
Anna Hanson, daughter of John and Louisa 
(Smith) Hanson. Six children came to bless their 
union, and the family circle yet remains unbroken. 
Mary, the eldest, is the wife of Hans. Paulson. 



PORTRAIT ANO lilOGliAl'lllCAL RECOliD 



555 



The others are Louisa, C'liarles .1.. Aiitlrew, Anna 
O. and Klizabelh. Mrs. Olson difd Kuhiiiarv 8, 
1880. 

On leavinjj the Lakes .Mr. Olson turned his atten- 
tion to .igricultural pursuits and entered one liun- 
dred and twent}' acres of land where he now lives. 
Helocated upon his farm in I872and atoncc began 
its development, for it was then in its primitive 
condition. lie has since extended its boundaries 
by the additional purchase of forty acres and has 
made of the place one of the best farms in the 
neighborhood. Mr. Olson has led a busy and use- 
ful life and his business affairs occupy much of his 
attention, yet he has found time to serve his fel-' 
tow-townsmen in a number of ofHcial positions. 
For six years he served as .Justice of the Peace, 
was Highway Commissioner and Township Treas- 
urer, and with the exception of three yeare has 
been Supervisor since 1882. He discharged his 
public duties with promptness and lidelity and has 
therefore won high commendation. In politics he 
IS a stanch Republican, and socially is a member of 
Dahlgren Post No. 149, G. A. R., of Ilolton. Mr. 
Olson also belongs to the Lutheran Church. 



11®^®' 



•<:^\\ 



',|^ W. BUSWELL. There is in the develop- 
^ ment of every successful life a i)rinciplc 
which is a lesson to the man taking that life 
as an example; for let one be industriousl}' 
ambitious and honorable in his ambitions, and lie 
will rise, whether having the prestige of fortune 
and family, or the obscurity- of poverty. We are 
led to these rellections in looking over the career 
of Mr. liuswell, who has attained his present envi- 
able condition by indomitable energ}- and pluck. 
He w.os formerly one of the prominent lumbermen 
of Orand Haven, .Mich., but is now retired from 
the .active duties of life and has a most desirable 
home on Franklin Street. 

.Mr. liuswell claims New York as his native 
Stale, having been born in I'^e.x County, August 
8. 18."?(l, to .lacob and .Minina (Kverest) liuswell. 



the father a native of Massachusetts and the 
mother of Now York. The father was a carpenter 
and joiner by occupation and followed that trade 
in the Empire State all his life. Our subject was 
the eldest son of his mother's second marriage, 
and moved with her to the Buckeye State when but 
a boy. There his mother spent her last days, 
and in the ^-ear 18G5 our subject removed to 
Michigan, settled in Ottawa County-, and for a 
period now closely approaching thirty years has 
been intimately identified with the interests of 
Ottawa County, his settlement in firand Haven 
dating from about 18().5. He engaged in the lum- 
bering business with C. E. Wyman, under the firm 
title of Wyman, Buswell it Co., manufacturers of 
pine lumber, and continued in this business for a 
number of years. I'p to 1884 he was engaged in 
the manufacture of lumber, but at that date the 
mill was burned and Mr. Buswell retired from the 
business. He is a substantial citizen, and by his 
superior intelligence and rare business ability and 
eflficiency has been identified with the interests of 
Grand Haven and interested in its welfare. His 
business (|ualifications are of the highest order 
and he is recognized as one of the leading men of 
the city. 

Our subject has been a Director in the National 
Bank for several years, is President of the Grand 
Haven Booming Company, a stockholder and Di- 
rector in Dake's Engine Manufacturing Company, 
of Grand Haven, and President of the Grand 
Haven Match Company. Formerly a Whig in 
politics, he now afliliates with the Republican 
party, and is active in his support of its prin- 
ciples. He selected his wife in the persim of Miss 
Hannah Trotter, a native of Summit County-, 
Ohio, and two children were born to them, For- 
rest E. and Florence E. The mother of these 
children died in 1878, and in 1886 Mr. Buswell 
was wedded to Miss Ellen .L Cavanaugh, of (irand 
Haven. One child, H. W., is the result of this 
union. I'rogressive in his idesis and liberal in his 
support of all worthy' movements, he is one of 
Ottawa County's most esteemed citizens. Most of 
his property has been accumulated by his own ex- 

I ertions. and he deserves uuicli crcilil fur his cii- 

[ eigy and industry. 



566 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



WORDEN G. BARNABY, agent for the 
Chicago & West Michigan Railroad at 
Hudson ville, is numbered among the pro- 
gressive and po])ular young business men to 
whose influence Ottawa County is largely indebted 
for its |3resent prosperity. He is the son of 
Samuel G. and Olive M. (Chamberlain) Barnaby, 
natives of New York, who were married in that 
State. Subsequently they removed to Pennsyl- 
vania and conducted agricultural pursuits in 
Potter County. The year 1862 witnessed their 
arrival in Michigan, and for three years thej' 
sojourned in Kalamazoo County. Thence they 
came to Ottawa County, where the father now 
makes his home on section 32, Georgetown Town- 
ship. His wife departed this life in 1865. She 
was a devoted member of the Baptist Church, 
with which he is now identified, having in former 
years been a Simda^'-school Superintendent. 

Our subject is the oul3- member left of liis father's 
family, with tiie exception of his brother, Glenn 
A., wlio married IMiss Carrie, daughter of .John N. 
Waite (of whom see sketcii presented on anotlier 
page of this volume). Glenn Barnaby is a resi- 
dent of Minneapolis, Minn. The senior Mr. 
Barnaby is a man of broad intelligence and 
liberal views, and is one of the most prominent 
and influential citizens of Ottawa County, having 
for years been closely connected with its growth 
and progress. 

Born in Potter County, Pa., October 10, 1858, 
the subject of this sketch received his education 
principally in the neighboring school. He lias 
gained his best education, however, in the school 
of experience, by self-culture and close observa- 
tion. At the age of fourteen he began to be self- 
su|)i)orting, and for a time was employed in a 
grocery store, where he gave his services in ex- 
change for his hoard and clotlies. lie continued 
thus engaged until 1879, iiis salary being ineaii- 
tiine increased .as he acijuired a thorough under- 
standing of the business. Afterward he accepted 
the position of nigiit operator at Watervliel, 
where lie remained for tiiree years, and in tiie 
inti'ival gained acomplcle knovvledge of that line 
of railroad work. 

In 1881 Mr. liarnaby located at Hudson ville, 



accepting his present position as agent for the 
Chicago <k West Michigan Railway Company, and 
has since served in that capacity. He was married, 
in 1886, to Miss Lizzie A., daughter of Nelson R. 
and Luc}' F. (Spencer) Bonfoey, and a native of 
Watervliet, Mich., having been born in that city 
February 28, 1867. Her grandparents came to 
Michigan in an earl3' day and settled in Berrien 
County, being numbered among the pioneers of 
the vicinity of Watervliet. Nelson R. Bonfoey 
was born in Richfield, N. Y., February 18, 1827, 
and married Miss Lucy F. Spencer, who was born 
in Atwater, Ohio, on the 9th of October, 1843. 
The maternal grandparents of our subject were 
Elias T. and Eliza (Smith) Spencer, tiie former a 
native of Middlefield, Mass., born on the 11th of 
August, 1815. Mr. Bonfoc}' and his estimalile 
wife had a family of three children, two of whom 
are now living; they themselves are now living in 
Watervliet. 

The marriage of Mr. Barnaby has been blessed 
by the birth of two children, Olive Lucy, who 
was born September 16, 1887, and Zora Jzetta, 
whose birth occurred May 17, 1890. Mrs. Barnaby 
is a lady of prominence in Iludsonville, and is 
one of the active members of the Ladies' I'nion. 
Socially, our subject is identified with the Inde- 
pendent Order of Odd Fellows, and has filled the 
various chairs in the home lodge, being at present 
District Deputy Grand Master. AVhile not active 
in politics, he is a stanch Democrat and upholds 
the principles of that parly with his ballot. 









//^ HARLES PETERSON, a fanner residing on 
(l( p section 20, Dalton Townsliii), is one of the 
^^y worthy citizens that .Sweden ha^ furnished 
to Muskegon County. He possesses the stability, 
peiseverniice and eiiteiprise of his countrymen, 
characteristics which make them among the best 
of the a<l()pte(l sons of Ajnerica. lie was liorii in 
the northern pait of Sweden in 18 10, and his par- 
ents, Peter and Hannah (.Vnderson) Anderson, 



I'OlirRAlT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



567 



were also natives of the same locality, the father's 
birtli occurring in 179i», while the mother was 
born in 1806. Pet(!r Anderson was a farmer and 
operated rented land, lliinself and wife were 
meinbers of the Lutheran Ciiureh. Both died in 
1880, within a few hours of each other, and were 
laid to rest in the same grave. 

Our subject is one of five childicii. the other 
members of the family being .John A., who died in 
Sweden; Anna, who died in this country; Aug- 
ustus, who is living in .Sweden; Caroline, wife of 
Charles Norris, of Muskegon County; and Charles, 
of this sketch. The latter .spent his bo^'hood and 
youth in the land of his birth, where he was early in- 
ured to arduous labor. Since the tender age of eight 
years he has made his own wa^' in the world. At 
that time he began to earn his own living by 
working on a farm. He received onl^' ten cents 
per day, and out of that small amount had to 
board and clothe himself. At the age of twelve 
he began to work for his board and clothes, and 
for three j-ears his wages were thus rewarded. He 
then for the succeeding three years of his life re- 
ceived $15 per year, and afterwards his wages were 
increased to *25 per year. While receiving that 
inunilicent salary, he was for(?man of a large farui, 
superintending some fifty men. 

Wishing to better his financial condition, Mr. 
Peterson sailed for the New World in 186.'). He 
had been married in Sweden to Miss Matilda 
.lolinson. and with his wife crossed the broad At- 
lantic, coming at once to Muskegon County. He 
made a settlement in Laketon Township, whcie he 
began cutting cordwood, and for three years was 
employed at various labors, whereby he might 
secure an honest livclihotKl and thus provide for 
himself and family. At lenglli he was al)lc to 
purchase thirty-five acres of wild land and begin 
farming in his own interest. With characteristic 
energy he l)egan its improvement, and as acre 
after .acre was placed under the plow, the fertile 
fields began to yi<'l(l him a good income. The 
boundaries of his farm were also e.xlendi'd, until it 
n(jw comprises one hundied and elglity-livc acres 
of valuable land, seventy-live of wliicli :ii(' iindci- 
cultivation. 

I'nlo .Mr. and .Mrs. Peterson have been born 



eight children: Ellen, now the wife of Adolph' 
Bard; Ida. who graduated from the Muskegon 
schools, then engaged in teaching, and is now the 
wife of Charles Johnson; Elmer; Hannah; Abel, 
who died in childhood; Mamie, David and Nancy. 
The parents hold membership with the Lutheran 
Church. Mr. Peterson takes a warm interest in 
everything tending to promote morality and ad- 
vance the general welfare. The cause of educa- 
tion finds in him a warm friend, and he votes with 
the Prohibition party. He may truly be called a 
self-made man, and the praise which that term 
convej's is justly deserved, for through his own 
unaide<i efforts he has worked his way upward to 
success. 



|. I^ILLIAM .TEHKMIAH P.ROTT. The busi- 
\/-J// ness interests of .Muskegon Count}' are 
"S^ worthily represented by the gentleman 
with who.se name we introduce this sketch, and 
who is prominently identified with the history of 
the village of Moorland. An etlicient, capable 
and energetic young business man, he has worked 
his way to a foremost place in the commercial 
circles of the count}', and is now numbered among 
the successful millers and lumbermen of this sec- 
tion of the State. While his abilities have been 
mainly devoted to his individual enterprises, he 
has also contributed largely to the development 
of the resources of Moorland, and has aided in 
no small degree in securing its present pros))erity. 
Born in Polkton Township, Ottawa (\)unty, 
Mich., on the Kith of .lune, 1855, our subject is 
the son of Anthony and Celestia(Schoville) Brott, 
natives of New York. His father, who was a me- 
chanic by occupation, was a man pos.sessing ster- 
ling (|ualitics of mind and heart, and occupied a 
high place in the regard of his fellow-citizens. 
Fired witli llu' spirit of patriotic devotion at the 
opening of the Civil War he gave not only his 
sympathy to the cause of the I'nion, but his serv- 
ices as well. Enlisling in the I'liion army, he 



558 



PORTKAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



served bravely and noblj', participating in a num- 
ber of decisive engagements and finally giving his 
life to his country's cause. Me was captured by 
the enemy and placed in Andersonville Prison, 
where he died from starvation in 1864. 

Of nine children, the subject of this sketch was 
the sixtjj in order of birth. He passed his child- 
hood years uneventfully, and was a lad of seven- 
teen when bis father's death occurred, thus throw- 
ing him entirely upon his own resources. Bravely 
and courageouslj' he commenced the battle of life, 
and, undaunted by obstacles and hardships, perse- 
vered until success crowned his exertions. AVhen 
ready to establisli a home of his own, he was mar- 
ried, at the age of twenty, to Miss Martha F., 
daughter of John L. and Elizabeth (Bowers) 
Tliom|)son, natives of Pennsylvania. 

Shortly after liis marriage, Mr. Brott located on 
a farm in Ravenna Township, Muskegon County, 
where he continued to till the soil until 1891. He 
then removed to Moorland Station, in Moorland 
Township, where, in company with his cousin, 
Charles A. Brott, he has since engaged extensively 
in the lumber and milling business. His peculiar 
talents especially adapt him for a successful busi- 
ness career, and he has already attained a large 
degree of success in his chosen occupation. So- 
cially, lie is identified with tlie Kniglits of tlie 
Maccabees. In politics, he is in hearty synipatli}' 
with the principles of the People's party, and gives 
Ins influence to the success of that organization. 
He and his wife liave only one cliild, Alice Edith, 
a popular and talented \oiing lady, who is re- 
ceiving an excellent education in tlie Moorland 
schools. 



■*^-S]' 



^-^ 



n=i 



[ EKIvY DEVRIES, a prosperous general 
.igriculturist of Ottawa County, conducts 
a finely cultivated farm on section 36, Hol- 
land Township, and is likewise a skillful 
veterinary surgeon mmiI nullimity im the diseases 
of the horse. A native of the Netliei lands, he 
was born in 1843. He is the son of Hernard and 



Alice (Mulder) DeVries, and the descendant of 
a long line of highlj' respected and sturdy fore- 
fathers, who through persistent effort won tlieir 
way upward to positions of influence. The pa- 
ternal grandparents, John and Helen DeVries, 
were in humble circumstances, the former support- 
ing tlie family b^' daily labor upon a farm. He 
reared a family of two children, Bernard, the 
father of Jerry, and Ann, who passed her entire 
life in her native land. Tlie father, who was born 
in 1805, in the near vicinity of the birthplace of 
our subject, received a fair education in the free 
schools of the Netherlands and remained with his 
parents, assisting his father, until lie had attained 
to manhood. 

At the age of twent3'-five \ears, Bernard De 
Tries was married in the Netherlands to Miss Al- 
ice, the daughter of Jerry and Gertie Mulder. He 
had a small piece of land, comprising about tliirt}- 
acres, and upon this farm he and his excellent 
wife settled and toiled industriously. Eight chil- 
dren blessed the home, all born in the Nether- 
lands, but five of them died in earl}- infancy and 
childhood. The three living sons are John, Jerry 
and Paul. In 1847 the father with his family em- 
igrated to the United States and journeyed to 
Michigan, settling in Ottawa County. He had ex- 
hausted his savings on the journey, and at once 
after his arrival went to work in the woods mak- 
ing staves and logs. He soon purchased fcirt^' 
acres of timber-land near the present home of our 
subject, on section 25, Holland Township. This 
land he cleared, cultivated and improved with the 
help of his sons. He and his wife are living near 
the city of Holland. They are valued members of 
the Dutch Reformed Church, and possess the high 
regard of a wide circle of friends. Politically, he 
is a Republican and, a man of broad intelligence, 
is deeply interested in the vital iiuestions of the 
day and is a close observer of local and National 
government. 

The youthful days of our subject were passed 
in the parental home. At the age of twenty- three 
he married Alice, dauglitei of Bernard and Dena 
Snitzler. The pleasant lionu' of our suhji'ct and 
his estimable wife was brinhlened by the hirtli 
of ten children, four of whom are now deceased. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



55!) 



Alice was married to (larrit Ratt-ring, and died 
Oc't()l)er 14. 1X89, leaviii;f a daiii;liter, Fannie 
Harriet. The survivors are (uTtic, Hertlia, Jen- 
nie, Julia, Berney ancl Dcna. After the marriage 
of Mr. and Mrs. De^■ries tiiey c-ontiiiued foi- three 
^veal's to reside with the father of our subject, who 
at the expiration of that time nave tliem forty 
acres of land, which Mr. I)e Vries sold and soon 
afterward eniijjrated to Kansas. A few monllis in 
the far West satisfied him that Michigan suited 
him best, and returning to the Wolverine State he 
purchased lifty-one acres where he now resides. 
He gives the most of his time and attention to 
veterinary work, making a close study of that pro- 
fession. In both political and religious atlilia- 
tions, like Ills father, our subject is a stanch Re- 
publican and a valued meml)er of the Reformed 
Church of Zeeland. He commands the high re- 
gard of a large acquaintance in Ottawa County. 



OC3 



)!#^li^..i^li^ 



VILLIAM VOrNG. Among the business 
establishments of Ravenna, prominent 
mention should lie made of llie grocery 
store owned and man.iged by the subject of this 
notice. Here may be found a choice and complete 
assortment of staple and fancy groceries, gl.ass- 
ware, chinaware. and the various kinds of fruits 
.•md vegetables in their season. Through good 
management and energy the genial proprietor has 
worked his way to a prominent position among 
the successful business men of the place, and the 
uniform reliability of his transactions has gained 
for him the conlidencc of his customeis. 

The parents of our subject, Coker and Sarah 
(Butcher) Voung, were born in ICngland, whence 
they emigrated to America, and, proceeding to 
Michigan, set!le<l in the city of .l;iiksoii. Mr. 
Young, Sr., is a ^ll()^■mMkl I by tr.idc :ind followed 
that occupation fur .-i number of ye.irs. About 
IXfifi he removed from .lackson to R;i\cnii;i. where 
he embarked in l)u?iness as a .-hoeniaUcr. As IJie 
years passed by anil the pl:uc grew from an un- 
29 



impoitaut hamlet tt) a thriving village, his busi- 
ness increased, and as he was industrious and 
persevering, he became well-to-do. In 1881 he 
retired fron the trade at which he had so long 
labored, and, purchasinga farm in Ravenna Town- 
ship, embarked in agricultural pursuits, at which 
he is still engaged. 

Four children were born to Coker and Sarah 
Young, one of whom is deceased. The surviving 
nierabei-s of the family are: William, the eldest; 
Mary, the wife of Henry K. Scott, a resident of the 
State of W.ashington; and George C, who makes his 
home in Ravenna Township. William w.is born in 
.lackson, Mich., .January 7, 18.0.5, receiving his edu- 
cation in the schools of Muskegon County. He 
aided his father in farming, and upon starting out 
in active life for himself, embarked in agricultural 
pursuits, which he followed until he w.as tliirtv- 
tour 3'ears of age. He then removed to Ravenna 
and entered into the grocery business which he 
still conducts. He carries a large stock and has a 
liberal share of the patronage of the comnuinitv. 

On Christmas Day, 1877, Mr. Young w.as united 
in marriage with Miss Xcllie E., daughter of 
Ephraim I), and Pliojbe (Holister) Husted. They 
are the parents of one child, Eva E. Mrs. 
Young is a member of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church, to the support of which our subject con- 
tributes liberally, though not identified with any 
religious organization. Socially, he is a member 
of Ravenna Lodge No. 355, I. O. O. K., and has 
served as Secretary of the lodge. In politics he is 
a pronounced Republican and has always cist his 
ballot for the principles upheld by that party. 



-^=^>-^<m= 



WEN SWENSON, who resides on section 
•■<5, Ilolton Township, is one of the highlv 
respected farmers of Muskegon Count v. 
and is a valued citizen of the community, 
for he is always found in the front ranks of over\- 
enterprise that is calculated to luoinote the gen- 
eral welf;ire or ad\;iiic<' the public good. 




660 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Our subject is a nalive of Norway, born in 1824. 
His father, Swen Swenson, died when our subject 
was a lad of onl}' four years. He was a farmer by 
occupation. The gentkman whose name heads 
this record is the second in order of birtli in a 
family of three children. At the age of eleven 
3'ears lie began to earn his own liveliiiood, and 
since that time lias been dependent entirely upon 
his own exertions, so that whatever success he has 
aciiieved is due entirely to iiis own efforts. He 
began wori<ing as a farm hand for his board and 
clothes, and when about fifteen years of age he re- 
ceived in addition a few dollars eacli year. He 
followed farming in his native land until about 
thirty years of age, when, with the desire of bet- 
tering his financial condition, he resolved to emi- 
grate to America. Bidding good-bye to liome and 
friends, he left iiis native land, and in June, 1855, 
crossed tlie brin^- deep. He first went to Buffalo, 
N. Y., and in July, 1855, took up his residence in 
Milwaukee, Wis. 

During his residence in Milvvaukee, in 1855, Mr. 
Swenson was united in marriage witli Miss Caro- 
line Olson, daughter of Christian and Bertlia M. 
Olson, who were early settlers of this count}'. 
Twelve children have been born of their union. 
Mary, deceased, was tliewife of Ole Hanson; Hans 
is also deceased; and several died in childhood. 
Those still living are Sebert, Christian, William 
O., Sirena, Carl N., Nettie and Delia 1!. 

Mr. Swenson continued his residence in Milwau- 
kee until 1878, and engaged in sailing on the 
Lakes and working in the shipyards for man}' 
j'ears. In this waj' he acquired some capital with 
wliicli to begin business for himself. 

On coming to Muskegon County, he purchased 
the farm belonging to his father-in-law, and now 
owns one hundred and sixty acres of arable and 
valuable land. When it came into his possession, 
it was but slightly improved, but he has built 
fences upon it, tlius dividing it into fields of con- 
venient size, and has erected all the necessary 
buildings, which therefore stand as monuments to 
his thrift and enterprise. He has cleared the place 
of its timber, and where once were tall trees or 
brush, waving fields of grain Mi:iy now be seen. 
'I'his farm is one of the desiralilc places of the 



neighborhood. Mr. Swenson has been a great 
worker throughout his life, and the industry' and 
enterprise which are numbered among his chief 
characteristics have Ijcen the important factors in 
his success. He may truly be called a self-made 
man. In religious belief he is a Lutheran, and in 
politics he is a supporter of Republican men and 
measures. 




' NTON BASSIE, an enterprising farmer of 
Laketon Township, Muskegon Count}-, 
was born in Prussia, Germany, Januaiy 
(^ 22, 1821. He is the eldest of five sous 

born to Anton and Mary (Randall) Bassie, natives 
of Prussia, who spent their entire lives in the land 
of their birth. In the excellent German schools 
the subject of this sketch acquired a fair educa- 
tion, and under the careful supervision of his par- 
ents he was trained to habits of usefulness and in- 
dustr}'. He passed the early years of his life in 
the Fatherland, whence in 1855 he emigrated to 
America, and after landing in this country jiro- 
ceeded directly to Wisconsin. 

At Milwaukee Mr. Bassie worked at anything he 
could find to do. On the 22d of September, 1857, 
he came to Muskegon, and for two and one-half 
years worked in the sawmill of (Tcorge Ruddiinan. 
During the winter of 1859 he was employed on 
the Mississippi River levee in Mississippi. Return- 
ing to Muskegon, he entered the emjiloy of Ryer- 
son & Hill, and was engaged in their sawmill for a 
period of thirty-two years, during the last twelve 
of which he was second engineer, and prior to 
that time was foreman, lie is justly proud of the 
fact that, with one exception, he was in the em- 
ploy of Ryerson it Hill for a longer period than 
any of their employes. He h;id the confidence of 
the firm to an unusual extent, and labored untir- 
ingly for their welfare. 

After so many years of clo.se confiiieiiient to his 
work. Mr. Bassie fell the need of ri (•liaiige. and 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



561 



accordingly- in 1880 he purcliascrl his present farm, 
npun winch lie located in IH8I. He superintends 
the nianaj^einent iif the sixty acres ccniprisiny the 
farm, and finds a delightful home for his declin- 
ing years in this quiet rural alxtde. During his 
long residence in Muskegon County, lie has been 
an interested witness of many changes and im- 
provement.s, and has himself been an important 
factor In developing the best interests of this sec- 
tion of the State. At the time of his arrival in 
Muskegon, this iu)w prosperous city vv.is a tiny 
hamlet, containing about twelve houses, while the 
surrounding country, instead of being dotted with 
fine farms, was heavil\' timbered with pine and 
other woods, lie had no money at the time he 
sought a home in this country, but his courage 
was dauntless and his energy untiring, and the re- 
sult is that he has attained to a position of prom- 
inence in the county. 

May ii, IHiw, Mv. Hassie was united in marriage 
with Mrs. Mary (Nichols) Bans, the widow of 
John Barrs. Mrs. Hassie was born in llolstein, 
Germany, and there became the wife of Mr. Harrs, 
to whom she bore three children: Daniel, a resi- 
dent of Muskegon; .lolin, and Henry (deceased). 
Mr. and Mrs. Hassie became the parent.s of three 
children, namely: Lena, who is the wife of John 
Tedamann, and resides with our subject; Anna 
(deceased), and .losepli, wlio is at home. Although 
not active in local political affairs, Mr. Hassie 
nevertheless takes an intelligent interest in mat- 
ters of importance to the general welfare of the 
people, and casts his ballot for the support of 
Democratic principles. 



- «^ ^« 



f IKAM i:. PAHKKU'. To their noble, push- 
ing, hard working luisiiiess men is due tlie 
■-V^ great prosperity, wealth :iiiil :i(lvancemcnt 
(^ of tin' iioi therii tier of Stalt-s in commer- 
cial iniportance. To their zeal, energy and integ- 
rity will their future gieatiie>s be indebted, .IS it 
has Ill-ell in the {i:i>l. :ini| aiiioiig the names promi- 



nent in the promotion of solid trade in Muskegon 
none will stand higher, or occupy the position more 
justly than does the subject of this sketch. He is 
now retired from the .ictive duties of life, satisfied 
that he has contributed his share toward the pros- 
perity and progress of Muskegon County. lie was 
born in Warren County, N, Y., April 18, 1821, 
and is the son of James I'arker and the grandson 
of .lames I'arker, .Sr., who was of ICnglish descent. 

.lames Parkej^ Jr., father of our subject, was a 
native Vermonter and a miller by occuiiation. 
When a young man he went to the State of New 
York, and there met and married Miss .Susan Ki- 
lls, a native of the Kmpire State, born in Wash- 
ington County, and the daughter of Kzckiel Ellis, 
a Revolutionary soldier, who suffered untold hard- 
ships while in winter (piarters at \'alle\ Forge. 
The latter was of Irish descent. To .Mr. and Mrs. 
Parker were born eight children, four of each sex, 
and in New York .State their last days were spent. 
Iliram E. I'arker. the eldest of these children, was 
eight years of age when he moved with his parents 
to Essex County, N. Y., and he attended the com- 
mon schools of his district. Until sixteen years of 
age he assisted his father in the mill, and from 
that time up to the age of twenty-one he was en- (y^ 
gaged in agricultural pursuits. ' 

Upon attaining his majority he left home and 
went to (ileus Kails. Warren County. N. Y., where 
he obtained employment in a sawmill. There he 
remained for :\ niiinber of years, and while there 
married .Miss .Matilihi .lackson. a native of (Jlens 
Falls, and the daughter of .Jonathan and Marga- 
ret Jackson. Following his marriage young I'arker 
moved to a farm and tilled the soil up to IHtJt!. 
when he removed to .Muskegon County, and set- 
tled in Muskegon, lie entered the employ of the 
firm of Mason k Davis, and continued with them 
for seven years, after which he liecnme Superin- 
tendent of the firm of Mann it Moon, maiuifac- 
tiirers of lumber, lie continued with this firm 
up to IHiMl. when he retired from the mill business. 
and for the past two years has been janitor of 
the Lakeside school buildings. 

In politics, Mr. I'arker is a Hepublicm. lie has 
served as Town Collei-tor. was a member of the 
School Hoard for lliree \i':irs in the villa<'e of 



562 



PORTRAIT AND BIOCJRAPIIICAL RECORD 



Lakeside and has held other positions. He is a 
member of Muskegon Lodge No. 92, L O. O. F., 
iind Davis Encampment No. 47. For many years 
he has held membership in the Methodist Church, 
and has been Trustee of the same for some time. 
Mrs. Parker, who was also a woi'th}' member of 
that church, died in 1859, leaving one son, Byron 
J. Mr. Parker's second marriage was with Miss 
Mary C, daughter of David and Flora Ilevland. 
Mrs. Parker died leaving one daughter, Lelia C, 
who is now at home. He married his present 
wife, formerly Miss Lydia Decker, a native of St. 
Joseph County, Mich., in 1873, and they have a 
pleasant home in the city. 



^^UST BEGEMAN. It matters little what 
11 __ vocation a man selects as his life occupa- 
^^^ tion so long as it is an honorable one. If 
he is an honest, upright man, courteous in his in- 
tercourse with his fellow-men, and possessed of the 
average amount of energy and perseverance, he is 
bound to make his occupation a financial success. 
Because the subject of this sketch is possessed of 
all the above requirements is the chief reason he 
has succeeded; because he is above the average in 
point of business qualifications is the reason that 
he to-day stands among the prominent men of the 
county. He is at present the most efficient .Super- 
visor of Blendon Township and discharges the du- 
ties of that position in a very satisfactory manner. 
He was born in the city of Berlin, Germany, May 
8, 1862, and Is the only child of Conrad and Minnie 
(Coleman) Begeman, natives of Germany, 

The father came to America in 18G2, while the 
war cloud hung darkly over the Nation, and set- 
tled in the village of Allegan, Allegan County, 
Mich., where he was engaged in brick-making un- 
til his death, in 1873. He was twice married, and 
was the father of three children l>y his first union: 
Fred, Sophia and Minnie, all now married and liv- 
ing in Germany. The mother of our Mibject 
\\:u\ also been twice manied, lirsl to a Mr. Cole- 



man, by whom she had four children: Augusta, 
who married .Joseph Sickinger, and resides in New 
York City; Ernest, who resides in Germany ; Will- 
iam, who died in Allegan in 1892, and whose fam- 
ilj' now resides in that town; andlMinnle, who re- 
sides in New York City. The parents of these 
children were upright, enterprising citizens and 
won many friends wherever they made their 
home. 

The subject of this sketch was but one year of 
age when his mother died, and before he had 
reached his twelfth j'ear he was left fatherless. 
He really commenced life for himself at the early 
age of seven years and worked first at one thing 
then another, attending the country school as op- 
portunity offered. Until eighteen years of age he 
worked on a farm and then learned the trade of 
marble-cutter, which he followed for six years. In 
1884 he moved to his present location, Bauer, and 
established a general store, which he conducted 
until 1893, when he sold his stock of dry goods 
and groceries to M. W. Otto. He was first elected 
Township Treasurer in 1888, re-elected in 1889, 
and in 1890 was made Supervisor, to which posi- 
tion he has been re-elected each succeeding year. 

In the year 1886 Miss Maggie Bauer, a native 
of Trier, Germany, born January 2, 1864, became 
his wife. She is the daughter of Nicholas and 
Barbara (Tibald) Bauer, also natives of the Old 
Country. Mr. and Mrs. Bauer came to America 
about 1869 or 187(1 and settled first in Grand 
Rapids. Being a w.'igon-maker by trade, he estab- 
lished a wagon-manufacturing shop there and was 
engaged in a successful business for some time. 
He then sold his city property and moved to 
Georgetown Townshii), Ottawa County, Mich. 
The postofflce of Bauer, established on the line 
between Blendon Townsliipand Georgetown Town- 
ship, was named in his honor. He resided there 
and made wagons for man}' years. On the 1st of 
July, 1891, he sold his interest in this place and 
now resides on a small farm in Georgetown Town- 
ship. He and his wife are the parents of three 
children, as follows: Maggie, the wife of our sub- 
ject; .lohn and Kate. To Mr. and Mrs. Begeman 
have been boin two (hildien: Beriiie B., born 
Oclolier f), 18«H; and Albert W.. born Sei)tember 



POtltRAIT AM) BlOGIiAPH'CAL RECORD. 



568 



29, 1890. Mr. Hp^iMiiaii was formerly a member 
of the Indc|jeiulciit Older of Odd Fellows, but does 
not atliliate with the lodge at present. He was a 
member of Home Lodge No. 290, I. O. O. F.. of 
tlie town of Allegan. I'olilicully, he has always 
been a strong Democrat. 



♦ Eir » IZZ » 



ISAAC .1. C^riCK. Among the worthy resi- 
dents of Ottawa County, Mich., it is but 
just to say that Mr. (^uick occupies a conspic- 
uous and honorable place, for he has alwjiys been 
honest, industrious aud enterprising, and as a re- 
sult has met with more than ordinary success. He 
is now engaged in merchandising in .\Ilendale, is 
the elficient Postmaster of that place, and the credit 
of a considerable share of the enterprise which 
helps to make Allendale a thriving business point 
is due to this gentleman. lie was born in Canada 
July 11, 1850, and is the clde.st of four children 
born to .loseph and P^lizabeth (Welch) Quick, na- 
tives of England. The parents went to Canada 
in 1831, and moved from that country to this in 
1851. While residing in Canada Mr. (Juick was 
engaged in farming, and when first coming to the 
United States he located in Detroit, Midi., where 
he remained for one 3ear. 

From there he moved to Kalamazoo and was 
engaged in teaming in that city, running the sec- 
ond dr.iv ever put to work in that place. Kala- 
mazoo, Mich., was at that time a small village of 
not more than one thousand inhabitants, and at 
the time of the election of President Huchanau 
the city iiad but five or six brick stores. In that 
city Mr. Quick passed his last days, his death oc- 
curring in IMGl. .Mlhough he came to America 
a very poor man. witli a wile and one child, he 
accumulated considerable property by his industry 
and good management, and passed his last days in 
peace and plenty. The three children following 
our subject are as follows: Ilattie, wife of John 
Wolbrink, of .MIendale 'rowiiship; .leniiie. wife of 



George fJoble, of Orand Rapids; and Eliza, wife 
of Joseph Copernall, of Kalamazoo. The mother 
of these children died in 1875. She was a mem- 
ber of the Church of England. 

Isaac J. Quick received a common education in 
the schools of Kalamazoo, but did not attend after 
reaching his eleventh year. After the death of 
the father, the responsibility of taking care of 
himself fell upon his shoulders, and his mother 
found a pleasant and comfortable home with him 
until her death. He saw that his sisters were ed- 
ucated, and even at that early age showed excel- 
lent judgment and business acumen. When eleven 
3-ears of age he commenced working in a butcher 
shop, but only continued there for one year, when 
he was taken with white swelling in his leg, aud, 
being lame, could not do butcher's work. He then 
learned the barber's trade, and for seven j-ears 
worked at this. Finding that he bad to be on his 
feet too much while following this trade, he began 
learning book-keeping. At the age of nineteen 
years he had his leg amputated above the knee, 
and as soon afterward as he was able he was em- 
ployed by the Kalamazoo Brewing Company as 
book-keeper, a position he filled for five j^ears 
with credit to himself and the satisfaction of his 
employers. 

On the 6th of December, 1875, he came to Al- 
lendale, and at once engaged in niercliandising 
in a small way, his capital being only ^l.j in ready 
cash. He continue<J to do business here, and a 
few years later received some money from the es- 
tate, by whicii he w.is enabled to enlarge his busi- 
ness. His cash sales for 1892 were*13,000. Since 
coming to Allendale he h.as made enough mone}" 
to erect a handsome residence, also a gotxl store 
building, etc. In 1893, in company with a num- 
ber of men, he erected the largest creamery in 
the county, of which Mr. C^uick is the Secretary. 
The capital stock is *5,000. In 187(> he was ap- 
pointed Postmaster, and this position lie still (ill>. 
In the same year he was elected Township Clerk, 
and has been re-elected every year since with the 
excepticm of one. He has been Notary Public for 
sixteen years, and was one of the promoters of the 
gravel road from this place to Grand Rapids, of 
wliifli he is one of the stockholdeTs. 



564 



PORTRAIT AKD BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Mr. Quick was fii'st married Xoveinher 23, 1876, 
to Miss Mary Slater, a native of New York. She 
died in 1878, leaving no children. In 1881 Mr. 
Quick was married to Miss Lucinda Pixley, a na- 
tive of Allendale, and a daughter of Eben- 
ezer and Ann (White) Pixley, natives of Amer- 
ica and England, respectively. Mr. and Mrs. 
Quick are the parents of two children, Eben- 
ezer and Irving. Both Mr. and Mrs. Quick hold 
membership in the Congregational Church, of 
which the former is Trustee, and both are ac- 
tive workers in the same. Mr. Quick is a member 
of Coopersville Lodge No. 376, I. O. O. F., and Sir 
Knight in Allendale Tent No. 818. Politically, 
he is a leading Republican. 



-*^^1 



im 



'B 



yiJLLIAM H. KRUPP. Among the enter- 
/ prising farmers of Fruitland Township, 
"^^ ]Muskegon County, is this worthy man, 
who lives on section 1. His birth occurred in 
Detroit, Mich., in 1862. He is the son of James 
W. and Maiy (Dyest) Krupp. The former was a 
son of Wiiliani Kiapp, and was a native of Dus- 
seldorf, Germany, and was for many years a 
soldier in the German army. He took part in 
the War of 1812, fighting against Napoleon's 
troops. 

James W. Krupp was one of six children, 1832 
being the year of his birth. He was brought up 
in his native village, remaining by the old hearth- 
stone until attaining his majority. He received su- 
perior advantages as to education, and was master 
of three languages, speaking Englisli, French and 
German with equal tluency. He early learned 
the gardener's trade, and cros.sed the Atlantic and 
afterwards settled in Detroit, where he followed 
gardening for man\' years. In 1863 he removed 
to Shiawassee County, becoming the owner of 
eighty acres of property in Venice Township. On 
this farm he resided until 1881, and the follow- 
ing year was killed in a runaway accident. He 
was married in Detroit to the daughter of John 



Dyest, who was also born in the Fatherland. Six 
children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Krupp: Lizzie, 
Sarah. William, Anna, Fred and Mamie. The fa- 
ther was a member of the Catholic Church in 
(iermany, l)ut left the faith after his removal to 
this country. He was a member of the (Mange 
and, politically, was a Democrat. 

The education of William Krupp was obtained 
in the common schools, and he made his home 
with his parents until he was manied, at the age 
of twenty-seven years, to Miss Minnie, daughter 
of Burdette McMichael. They have one daugh- 
ter, Nellie by name. After the death of our sub- 
ject's father, he took charge of the farm, compris- 
ing one hundred and twenty-four acres, and has 
since ably managed the estate. Mr. Krupp is a 
distant relative of the noted (German foundrvman 
who manufaclured the fine guns in the Krupp Pa- 
vilion, at tlie World's Fair, in Chicago. The im- 
mense castings and cannon to be seen there are 
among the wonders of the wonderful exposition. 
In politics Mr. Krupp is a worker in the ranks of 
the Democracy. He is possessed of those qualities 
of push and perseverance which claim recognition 
and praise from all. In his business relations he 
is strictly honorable, and his word is considered 
as Kood as his bond. 



-3 rf» .J. ,?• ,?« ^^ 






feHOMAS MILLER, deceased, a business man 
^i^, of unusual executive ahilitv and enterprise, 
S^' for nearly a score of years closely identi- 
fied with the progressive interests of Muskegon, 
Midi., entered into rest in the spring of 1885, 
mourned by fi lends and fellow-citizens as a pub- 
lic loss. Mr. Miller was born in Pentshire, Scot- 
land, in 181(1, and was a descendant of a long 
line of upright and industrious Scottish ancestors. 
His father, ThQjnas Miller, born, reared and mar- 
ried near the Highlands of his native land, spent 
his entire life of usefulness amid the familiar 
scenes of his youth. His mother. Jennie (Mal- 
colm) Miller, was likewise a dweller within old 
Scotia. 



PORTRAIT AND KIOGKAPHJCAL RECORD. 



565 



Our siil)jeet passi-d llie (l:\ys of boyhood in liis 
birlliplat-e, altciiding the common scliool of his 
liome ncighborliood, and as lie self-rcliantly at- 
tained to manliood. prepared himself for tlie bat- 
tle of life by learnlnj; the trade of a millwright. 
Having reached his majority, he resolved to try 
his fortunes in the land of liberty beyond the At- 
lantic, and, embarking from the nearest seaport, 
emigrated to America, landing in Quebec. lie 
did not tarry long there, but proceeded directly to 
the city of Buflfalo, N. Y., where he received al- 
most immediate emploj'ment at his trade, and 
worked for three years in that pl.ice. At the 
expiration of that time, in 186G, he journeyed to 
Muskegon, and was here employed for two years 
by Alexander Rodgers. In 1868 he established 
the Miller it Co. Iron Works, with Ilollock & 
Everett, but later owned the entire interest of 
the prosperous plant. Ilollock it Kverett having 
sold out. George Galbraith. brother of Mrs. Mil- 
ler, then bought a third interest, and under the 
firm name of Miller it Co. an immense and prof- 
itable business, extending over a large area, was 
most prosperously conducted until the death of 
the senior partner, our subject, in 1885. 

Januarj' 28, 1863, were united In marriage in 
the city of lUiflfalo, N. V., Thomas Miller and Miss 
Anna Ciaibraith, the latter a native of .Scotland 
and daughter of .lames 11. and Annie (McDonald) 
(JalbraiUi. born, educated and married in old 
Scotia. The father, a prominent manufacturer 
and a man of fine attainments, emigrated to Amer- 
ica in 1850, and with his family located pcriiia- 
nentl}- in Canada, where the estimable widow of 
our subject was educated. Of the children who 
blessed the home of Mr. and Mrs. Miller, four are 
now surviving. Birdie is the wife of Robert L. 
Root, of Muskegon; .lennie M. is the wife of Frank 
L. Orcutt, of Minneapolis. Minn.; Hiegh is a prom- 
ising student in the High School of Muskegon; and 
Toat is also pursuing advanced studies in the 
Muskegon High School. 

Fralernally, our subject was a valued member 
of Muskegon Lodge No. !t2, I. O. O. F"., and as 
a man and citizen, public-spii-ited and enterprising, 
possessed the high regard of all who knew him, 
and to his chihlren bcMpicathcd llic mi'in<ir\ of a 



successful business career, disliiiguished by earnest 
purpose, manly self-reliance and sterling integrity 
of character. Mrs. Miller, occupying a position 
of useful inlluence, and an active worker in social 
and benevolent cnteri)rises, enjoys the confidence 
and esteem of many friends. Sustained in the 
hour of her affliction by the sympathy of a wide 
acquaintance, she arose to the needs of the occa- 
sion and has proven herself a woman of rare abil- 
ity and intelligence. The handsome family resi- 
dence of Mrs. Miller is located on the corner of 
First Street and Miller Avenue, Muskegon. 




A'BF NIENIHIS, the senior mcmljer of the 
well-known firm of Nienluiis Bros., the 
individual members of which are Wj^be 
and Abel J. Nienliuis, is one of the prominent 
business men of the town of New Holland, Ottawa 
County, Mich., and one of the most successful 
merchants. He is a native of this county, and the 
son of John and Magdalene (Dykenia) Nienliuis, 
both natives of the Netherlands. .John Nienliuis 
came to America in 1856, and came immediately 
to Michigan, settling in Ottiiwa County when the 
country was still a wilderness. He brought his 
family with him, and they suffered all the priva- 
tions and iiardships incident to pioneer life. There 
were no public roads at that time, and Mr. Nien- 
liuis would take his grist to mill on his back. Of 
course his farm was unimproved, almost a wilder- 
ness, and he went .actively to work to clear and 
make a home. This w.as hard work, but he per- 
severed and was beginning to sec his way through, 
when his death occurred. This was in 1862. Mi-s. 
Nienliuis afterward married Henry Van Areiidunk. 
another of the early settlers, and she is still living, 
being one of the oldest pioneers of the county. 
By her first husband she became the mother of 
four children: Kihicrt, of this county; .lane, wife 
of .lolianus Ha-ssevoort; Wybe and Abel .1. Her 
second union rcsiilti'd in the birth of tlirec dauirh- 



t,6G 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



ters: Cornelia, tlie wife of John Postliumus, of 
Grand Rapids; Henrietta; and Gertie, the wife of 
Henry Troost. 

Wybe Nienhuis secured a fair education in the 
common schools of the county, and when twenty- 
two years of age began working on a farm for 
wages. Later he began farming on his own and 
on rented land, but when twenty-tliree years of 
age had an opportunity to clerk in a store, and 
this continued until he was twenty-nine years of 
age. He then embarked in his present business, 
general merchandising, and justly merits the large 
measure of success achieved by his good judgment 
and excellent acumen. This was in 1886, and he 
commenced with a small cash capital, but his aver- 
age sales amount to from $12,000 to 115,000 an- 
nually at the present time. He and his brother 
are wide-awake and thoroughgoing, and keep on 
hand a choice selection of goods. They emploj' 
one clerk, who thoroughly understands his busi- 
ness and is ever attentive and pleasant to the 
numerous patrons. Besides this store, the broth- 
ers are the owners of forty acres of land, which 
they have under a fine state of cultivation. The 
store building is 24x60 feet, two stories high, with 
a dwelling overhead, and Mr. Nienhuis also owns 
a fine two-story residence, one of the handsomest 
in the county. 

He was married in 1880 to Miss Bertha C. Smith, 
a native of this count3', and a daughter of Conrad 
and Grietje (Sterken) Smith. She was the eldest of 
three children, the others being Lena and Conrad, 
the former the wife of Garrett Stigenga. To Mr. 
and Mrs. Nienhuis were born five children: .lohn, 
Conrad, Lena, Henry and George. Mr. Nienhuis 
is one of the promising young men of the country, 
and in every walk of life has conducted himself 
in an honorable and upright manner. For four 
years he filled the office of Township Clerk, and 
in the spring of 1893 lie was elected Township 
Trustee. He is alive to matters of public import- 
ance, and deeply interested in the success of the 
Democratic party, with wliich he lias ever been 
identified. 

Abel J. Nienhuis, junior member of the firm, 
and a young man of more than ordinary business 
ability, was educated in the common schools of 



Ottawa County, and when twenty-six j-ears of age 
engaged in the present business, The brothers are 
equally interested in the business, and display ex- 
cellent judgment in its management. In the year 
1887, he was married to Miss Jennie W. Rooks, a 
native of this county, and the daughter of Albert 
and Joannah Rooks, natives of Holland. Mr. and 
Mrs. Rooks came to America at an eaily day, and 
here reared their seven children: Garrett; Will- 
iam; Anna, wife of Bert Knooihuizen; Jennie W., 
John, Cornelius and Lena, at home. 

Mr. and Mrs. Rooks were members of the North 
Holland Dutch Reformed Church. Mr. Rooks 
died in 1873, and Mrs. Rooks afterward married 
Rheinder Bultema, by whom she had one child, 
Herman. Two children were born to Abel J. Nien- 
huis and wife, Maggie and Albert. Mr. and Mrs. 
Nienhuis hold membersliii) in the North Holland 
Dutch Reformed Church, and he served as School 
Inspector in 1883, being re-elected to that office in 
1893. Politically, he is a strong advocate of the 
platff)rm of the Democratic party. 



=^^+^ 




D. KING, M. D., the popular iu)me()|)athic 
physician and surgeon, residing at No. 122 
'iSMllll South Terrace Street, Muskegon. Mich., en- 
joys a large field of practice and is widely 
known througliout tlie city, where since his loca- 
tion in the year 1884 he lias met with most en- 
couraging success. Our subject is a native of 
Oswego County, N. Y., and was born .lune 22, 
1850. His father. Lorenzo Dow King, was born 
in Rhode Island and was the son of David King, 
a man of high character and personal courage, the 
paternal grandfather having been one of the brave 
soldiers of the War of 1812. The remote ancestors 
of the Kings were of English liirtli, hut the family 
early seltling in the United States have here long 
occui)ied positions of useful influence. The mo- 
tliir, .lane (Palmeter) King, w,as of New England 
birth and, a native of Veimont, was the daugh- 
ter of Bliss I'almeter, also born iu the (ireen 



1»0RTRA1T AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



567 



Mountain StaU'. Tlie Pal meters, wlio were of 
Seotcli-Irij^li cxlraelion, settled in America before 
the French War and are nurni)ered among the 
most loyal citizens of our country. Dr. King 
spent the days of l)03-hood in Oswego County, 
N. Y., and prepared for college in the public 
schools. 

At Tjventeen years of age, setting out to seek 
his fortune in tlie West, our subject came alone to 
Manistee. Mich. Having determined to adopt the 
medical i>rofession, he later read willi Dr. W. W. 
Wilson, of Alpena, Mich., and in 1880 entered 
Hahnemann College, of Chicago, and after a com- 
plete course of lectures graduated from that well- 
known institution in 1883. In July, 1884, our 
subject opened an otlice in Muskegon and engaged 
in the general practice of medicine and surgery 
with excellent immediate success, and lias con- 
tinued in the active duties of his i)rofession unin- 
terruptedly ever since. In the fall of 1886 were 
united in marriage B. D. King, M. D., and Miss 
Klizaljeth S. Baker, of Muskegon, our subject and 
his estimable wife receiving the congratulations 
of many friends. The Doctor is politically a stal- 
wart Republican and was in 188H appointed Citj' 
Physician, for a twelvemonth ably discharging the 
duties involved in the office. A man of enter- 
prise, our subject is identified with the rapid prog- 
ress of his home locality, and is ever ready with 
word and deed to aid in the promotion of all mat- 
ters of public welfare. Financially prospered, he 
is directly interested in the Muskegon \'alley Loan 
Association, of which he is a Director. 

Fraternally iden tilled with the Ancient Free iV 
Accepted Masons, Dr. King has a host of friends 
among the order and is a member of Commandery 
Js'o. 22, of .Muskegon. He also belongs toDe Witt 
Clinton Consistory of the Valley of Grand liapids 
and likewise affiliates with .Saladin Temple, of the 
Mystic Shrine, of Grand Hapids, and is a thirty- 
second degree Mason. He is a member of the 
Knights of the Maccabees and is Medical Director 
of the Local Council of the National I'liion, the 
headquarters being located in Ohio. Our subject 
is a member of the Ancient Order of United Work- 
men and popular among the fraternity. He is a 
member of the Chamber of Commerce of .Mus- 



kegon, and, a citizen of fine business attainments, 
avails himself of all the facilities of the day for 
keeping full}' abreast of the times socially' and pro- 
fessionally and Is welcomed to the homes of many 
of tlie leading peoitle of the city where he h.i.s for 
eight years past steadily won his upward way. 



; -=^^e^8S-^-»^SE^ 



:i5~ 



Un.LIAM BEN.TAMINSE. When the books 
are balanced, when all accounts are finally 
^^^ adjusted, figuratively speaking, there will 
be a larger credit lialance opposite the name of 
the gentleman who is the subject of this sketch 
than is usually placed to the credit of the average 
of mankind. ' He is a native of the Netherlands, 
born March 4, 1831, and is possesseil of all those 
qualities of industry and energy so characteristic 
of tliose of that nativity. He is now residing in 
Holland. Mich., and the good moral tone of the 
town is due in a great measure to the influence of 
Mr. Henjaminse, who is the publisher of De IIol- 
laiuler. The editorials in this paper command an 
ever-widening area of circulation, while they car- 
ry with them that weight and authority' which a 
clear, calm and intelligent judgment must always 
secure. 

When a boy, in 1844, our subject was brought 
by his parents to America, and for four and a-half 
years was a resident of the city of New York. 
From there the parents removed to Grand Rapids. 
In that city William lieiijaminse grew to mature 
years, received his education, and later began 
learning the printer's "trade In the office of the 
Grand Rapids Enquirt'i: For four years he was 
an apiirentice in that office, and afterward a 
journeyman. About the year 18fi(i, he came 
to Holland, Mich., and worked at the printer's 
trade until the 3'ear 1808, when lie assumed the 
editorship of De HollaiuU'r, now the oldest Diiteli 
paper in the llnited .States. He has improved 
it in every way, and it is now one of the bright- 
est, newsiest papers in this part of the .State. 
Df lloUamh'r Is |)ubllshed In the Interest of the 



568 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



geiiei'iil i)ublic, and its excellent moral tone has 
had a most refining influence on all who are fort- 
unate enough to obtain a copy. 

Mr. Benjaminse has been engaged in the news- 
paper business in Holland for thirty-three years, 
and is thoroiigldy familiar with its every detail. 
In the year 18o,5, he was married to Miss Johanna 
Van de Luj-ster, daughter of J. Van de Luyster, 
wlio, with the Rev. Mr. Vander Meulen, was the 
colonizer of Zeeland in 1847. Eleven children 
were born to the union of our subject and his wife, 
of whom five are still living. Politically, Mr. Ben- 
jaminse is a Democrat, and the paper, De Hollander, 
is devoted to the interests of that party. He is 
public-spirited and enterprising, and has served 
on the Board of Education. A member of the 
Holland Christian Reformed Church, Mr. Benja- 
minse takes much interest in religious affairs. 



^>^^<^ 



^fil.VRED PURCHASE is a merchant of 
i@/Lll South Blendon and the efficient servant of 

II lii Uncle .Sam in the post-ottice of that place. 
^fl He is well known tiiroughout Ottawa Coun- 
ty, and as a successful, enterprising business man 
has few equals. Like many of the representative 
citizens of the county, he was born in this State, 
his birth occurring in Hillsdale County September 
28, 1852, and like many of them he is deeply in- 
terested in the progress and development of his 
native State. He is third in order of birth in a 
family born to the union of James and Elizabeth 
(Hunkford) Purchase, natives of the Empire State. 

James Purchase came to Michigan in the old 
Territorial days, and it is a source of inspiration 
to brave doing and endurance to leai-n the history 
of those who through hardships and privations 
won a place for themselves in this northern tier of 
States. He was married in Michigan to Miss 
Hunkford, who came here as early as himself, and 
they settled in Hillsdale County, which was then 
nothing but a wilderness. Adrian, sixteen miles 
off, was the nearest trading-post, and there were 



no roads, only Indian trails. Indians were nu- 
merous and the woods abounded with game. The 
Purchase family entered land from the Govern- 
ment and engaged in farming as soon as the land 
was in proper condition. When James Purchase 
first came to the Territory of Michigan with his 
parents he was but a lad, and his opportunities for 
getting an education were poor indeed. Being 
naturally of a studious turn of mind, he improved 
every moment of spare time and eventuallj' be- 
came one of the best-informed farmers of the 
county. Previous to coming to Michigan, and just 
after leaving New York State, the grandfather of 
Mr. Purchase resided for a short time in the Buck- 
eye State. Farming was his principal occupation 
in life, but for twenty-five years he ran a thresh- 
ing machine in the county, the first "groundhog" 
thresher. 

In 1872 Mr. Purchase sold his farm and moved 
to Ottawa County', settling in Georgetown Town- 
ship, where he tilled the soil until 1890. He then 
rented his farm for two years and removed to 
Grand Rapids. Later he sold the farm and is now 
living a retired life. He is now in his seventy- 
eighth year, and his wife in her sixty -eighth j-ear. 
Both have been exemplary and worthy members 
of the Methodist Episcopal Church for years. 
Seven children were born to their union: Jane, 
now Mrs. George Gettings, of Stantdn, Mich.; 
Frank, a resident of Hillsdale Couutj'; Alfred, our 
subject; Sarah, now Mrs. Duncan Van Allen, of 
this county; Joel, of this county; James L., of 
Grand Rapids; and Willard, also of Grand Rapids. 
The parents of these children are only two of the 
many who have spent the greater portion of their 
lives in developing the country that their children 
and grandchildren might enjoy the advantages 
which they themselves were denied. In truth, we 
of to-day are the"heirs of all the ages" and profit 
by the labor and self-denial of the hard-working 
classes of the past. 

Alfred Purchase received a limited education in 
the district schools of his neighborhood and when 
twenty years of age branched out to fight his own 
w.ay in life. In the county where his father had 
first settled he rented land for twelve years. Aside 
from this he was also eng.aged in railroad con- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



569 



striK'liim ami vaiiuiis oilier occupations, and on 
two separate occasions lost liis entire earnings. In 
1885 he opened bis present mercantile business 
with a capital of '?'21o and now carries a stock of 
goods valued at ?<."J,(K)0. His business incrcised 
rapidly from sales amounting to *il,000 in 1885 to 
* 10,000 in 18I»2. His stock consists of general 
merchandise, .ind he is dealing slightly in .agricult- 
ural implements. 

In .Uine, 1873, Mr. Purclia.-^e married Miss .\ I ma 
Lick, a native of Canada and a daughter of Adam 
and .Sarah (Fox) Lick, natives respectively of 
Canada and England. Mr. Lick came to Michigan 
in 18Gi), settled in Olive Township, (Jttawa 
County, and in connection with farming was en- 
gaged in the butcher's trade. At present lie re- 
sides at Ottawa Station and is engaged in mer- 
chandising and farming. He has been twice married 
but had no children by his first union. Ten chil- 
dren were born to his second union, seven of 
whom are living and named as follows: Alma; 
Adelaide, wife of Ferd Pixley, of Olive Town- 
ship; David, of .South Dakota; Marj-; Daniel, of 
.South Omaha; Fred, of Grand Haven; and Ra}-, 
of Olive Township. Mrs. Lick was also twice mar- 
ried, and b}- her first husband, a Mr. Darrell, she 
had one son, Alfred, who is deceased, Mr. Lick 
IS now Postmaster at Ottawa Station. To Mr. and 
Mrs. Purchase have been born two children, Kditli 
L. and Etta. Our subject has been one of the suc- 
cessful business men of the count3' since commenc- 
ing his mercantile life and is esteemed by all. 
He is giving his daughters good educational ad- 
vantages. 



o 



A.I. CHARLES E. STORRS, proprietor of 
Storrs' Vineyard, and a prominent citizen 
of North Muskegon, was born in West 
Moriah Township, Essex County, N. Y., 
on the .3(1 of September, 183.3. He is an honored 
representative of a patriotic family that li:is 




liiriiishcd many valiant .soldiers to our country in 
time of need. His father, Elijah .Storrs, a native 
of Middletowii, Conn., served with courage and 
elficiencv during the War of 1812, and from the 
rank of Ensign was promoted to Captain as a re- 
ward for meritorious conduct at the battle of 
Plattsbiirg. In 1834 he removed as far West as 
Summit County, Ohio, where he located on a farm 
in Northfield" Township. Thence, in 1864, he 
came to .Michigan and settled in Cirand Haven, 
where he died at the age of eighty-four. 

The paternal grandfather of our subject, .losci)li 
Storrs, was a native of Connecticut and served in 
the Colonial army during the Revolutionary War. 
He was of Welsh descent. The mother of our 
subject was .lulia Holcomb, and her father served 
with the famous Green .Mountain boys during 
the War of the Revolution. She was born and 
reared in \'erniont, and after a happy wedded life 
of lifly-nine years p!is.sed to her final rest at the 
age of four-score and two years. The Holcomb 
family originated in Englanfl. 

F21ijali .Storrs and his good wife were the |)arcnts 
of ten children, seven of whom attained mature 
j-ears, namely: Clark N., a resident of North 
Muskegon; Wales F., deceased; Harriet W., the 
wife of C. H. Dunbar, of Brecksville, Ohio; Carl- 
ton L., of Grand Rapids, Mich.; Eliza A., the 
widow of Charles Reynolds, and a resident of 
Sturgeon Bay, Wis.; Maria L., the wife of James 
H. Coates, of Brecksville, Ohio; and Charles l-]., 
the subject of this biographical notice. The last- 
named is the youngest surviving member of the 
family. At the time his parents removed to Sum- 
mit County, Ohio, he was about six months old, 
and his boyhood years were |)assed upon his 
father's farm. 

September 24, 18.")4, t)ur subject was united in 
marriage with .Miss Maria \'aii Noate, a native of 
Independence, Ohio, and immediately after their 
marriage the young couple came to Michigan and 
settled ill (Iraiid Rapids, where they spent the 
winter of 1854-55. Removing from that city to 
Clinton County, Iowa, they resided there until 
1858, when they returned to Michigan and lo- 
cated ill lileiidon Township, Ottawa County. For 
two \»'iii> Mr. Storrs was ciig.Tged in the mill 



570 



POKTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORt). 



and lumber business in Ottawa County, and in 
the spring of 1861 he purchased a one-lialf in- 
terest in a sawmill there. 

Shortly after the opening of the Civil War, 
Mr. Storrs enlisted in Company B, Sixth Michigan 
Cavalry, and iu 1862 went to the front in the 
capacity of Supernumerary Second Lieutenant. On 
the 16th of March, 1863, he was promoted to Sec- 
ond Lieutenant, and on the 17th of July, 1863, 
was commissioned Captain. He continued in that 
rank until he was promoted to be Major, on the 6th 
of Februarv, 1865, and was serving in that posi- 
tion at the "time of his discharge. He participated 
actively in many engagements, and at Newby's 
Cross Roads, July 24, 1863, was wounded in the 
left shoulder by a minie-ball. He was honorably 
discharged at Leavenworth, Kan., October 10, 1865, 
and on being mustered out of the service returned 
to his home in Ottawa County. 

Resuming his lumber and milling business, which 
he had tem"porarily discontinued, Maj. Storrs was 
thus engaged until 1876, when he disposed of his 
interests in Ottawa Coi^nty and removed to Eden 
Township, Mason County, this State. There for 
a number of years he made liis home on a farm. 
In 1882 he came to North Muskegon in the capa- 
city of book-keeper for the C. X. Storrs Lumber 
Company, a position which lie filled acceptably. 
In 1886 he, with Frank Storrs, purchased the 
Peninsula Fruit Farm, the name of which they 
changed to Storrs' Vineyard. This fine farm is 
devoted to the raising of fruits, a business in 
which the Major is particularly well informed. 
Twenty acres are planted in a vineyard, while 
three acres are devoted to garden, the balance, 
twenty-seven acres, being woodland. From thir- 
ty to forty-five tons of grapes each season are 
raised, and the grapes, for flavor and quality, are 
unsurpassed, if equalled, in the State. 

The Major and his wife have a family of three 
children: Alice J., wife of Leroy A. Franklin, of 
Grand Rapids; Frank, who aids in the cultivation 
of the fruit farm; and Maggie, tiie wife of Elliott 
D. Prescott, a resident of Ravenna, Midi. Maj. 
Storrs cast his first ballot in Oliio in 1864, and has 
been a Republican ever since the inception of that 
party. In 1875 he represented Blendon Townsliip 



on the Board of Supervisors of Ottawa Countv, 
and he also served as Township Clerk and High- 
way Commissioner while residing there. In Eden 
Township, Mason Count}-, he served as Supervisor 
during the years 1877, '79, '80 and 1881, and was 
a member of the Board of School Examiners of 
Mason County. He served as Supervisor of the 
township of Laketon, Muskegon County, in 1882 
and 1887, and for one year filled tiie position of 
Assessor of North Muskegon. He also served as 
Alderman of North Muskegon for one year. So- 
cially, he is identified with Amos E. Steele Post 
No. 280, G. A. R., at North Muskegon, and has 
frequently served as Commander of the post. In 
addition to local duties he has been Inspector of 
tiie Department of Michigan, G. A. R., and is Food 
and Dairy Commissioner of the State. 



^^ 



* I^ILLIAM D. BATCHELDER, one of Mus- 
\nJ/l kegon County's most successful farmers, 
W^ 'iiid the owner and occujjant of a finel}- 
improved farm on section 14, White River Town- 
ship, is one of the iieroic defenders of the Old 
Flag, to whose courage we owe the libert}- of 
which our country boasts. He is the son of JoJiii 
D. and Bessie (Brockway) Batchelder, natives of 
^'ermont, who came to Michigan nearly sixty 
years ago, and settled in Yorkville at a period so 
early in the history of that now thriving place, 
that even the most prophetic e^e could scarcely 
iiave (tiscerned its present prosperity. 

Some time after settling in Yorkville, the step- 
mother of our subject was killed by a tornado, 
the mother of our subject dying when he was 
seven months old. His father afterward married 
again, and to that union four children were born. 
From Yorkville lie went to Galesburg, where the 
last four children were born, and from Galesburg he 
moved to Nebraska, where lie died in 1875. Born 
at Yorkville, Mich., October 22, 1839, the subject 
of this sketch was seven months old when he was 
ori)iiancd by Ills mother'.'! death. He was then 






f:XM 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



571 



taken in a luinhcr wagon to Malone, N. Y., where 
Ills uiK-lc and aunt. Mv. and Mrs. C'lia|Hnan, ten- 
derly cared for him in his infancy and childhood. 
They reared him as their own child, and he sup- 
posed the\' were his parents until he was seven- 
teen years of age, when he learned that they were 
nncle and aunt. 

At the age of seventeen years our subject went to 
make his home with another uncle, A. \V. Brock- 
way, a banker of Cleveland, Ohio. Prior to leaving 
the Kmpirc State he liad received a good academic 
educalion. and after locating in Cleveland he was a 
student in tlic High .School of tiiat city. Later, 
he carried on his studies at Albion College, which 
his uncle, W. IL Brockwa^-, built. At the age of 
almost twenty years he was cliosen for the posi- 
tion of foreman on the Lansing A' (irand Traverse 
Itailroad, but after working in that capacity for a 
short time, he resigned and proceeded to Saginaw, 
where he worked in a mill until the coinmence- 
mcnt of the Civil War. 

November l(i, 1861, the name of William D. 
Batchelder was enrolled as a meml)er of Company 
D, Twelfth .Michigan Infantry, and as a private in 
the ranks he participated in the battles of .Shiloh, 
Corinth. luka. Tallaliatchie, and all the engage- 
ments of Gens. Prentiss and .lohn A. Logan's di- 
visions, up to and including Middleburgh. After 
a j-ear's active service he was appointed on de- 
tached service in the Fifth Ohio Heavy Artillery, 
stationed at Duvall's Bluff and Little Rock, Ark. 
Later, he was transferred to the .Second Mis.souri 
Light Artillery, and with his regiment saw some 
active figliting at White River. He was especially 
fortunate, for he was neither wounded nor impris- 
oned during the entire period of his service, cov- 
ering three years and three months. He was dis- 
charged .January 7. 1865, at Diivall's Bluff, Ark. 

After receiving an honorable discharge from the 
army, Mr. Batchelder returned U> Michigan and 
sojourned for a short time in .Mbion. In 1865 he 
came to Muskegon County and |)urch:used the farm 
where he has since resided. It was then wholly 
unimproved, and the modern conveniences now 
iioticealile there are the w<»rk of the present owner. 
He has erected a subslanti.-d .sot of farm buildings 
anil has placed eighty-fiv(! of the ninety acres un- 



der excellent cultivation. Socially, he is identi- 
fied with Ferry Post No. 3, C A. R.. and is 
prominent in this organization. 

In 1865, Mr. Batchelder was united in marriage 
with Miss Louisa Walters, a native of Michigan, 
who formerly resided near (;alesburg. After their 
marriage, the young couple settled on section 14, 
White River Township, remaining here during the 
winter seasons and working in .Muskegon during 
the summers. Through economy and industry 
they have succeeded in gaining a place among the 
successful and well-to-do people of the community, 
and are esteemed wherever known. They are the 
parents of two daughters. Cora and Ktta, to whom 
they have given good educational advantages, 
and who amply repay every effort made on their 
behalf. Mr. Batciielder appreciates the value of a 
good education, and while a member of the .School 
Board has rendered effective service in the inter- 
ests of the schools. In politics a Republican, he 
has been active in the ranks of his chosen party 
for a number of years. Twice he has been nom- 
inated for Supervisor, and upon one occasion 
lacked only one vote of being elected, while at the 
other election he had a minority of two. He has 
served as Township Treasurer and in other local 
oHices of trust. 



■ I I 1 1 1 ii I I 1 



/I'll •^-*. a 



I 



DE DE GKA.\F. The subject of this sketch, 
I, well known to a host of acipiaintances in this 
|l section, is not only a baker of established repu- 
tation but an ideal fanner, for not only is every 
branch of his fanning operations carefully looked 
after, but his example of industry, push and 
great enterprise has made a lasting impression on 
the industrial affairs of his section and has been 
emulated by many who otherwise would have, like 
Dickens' Wilkins Micawber"waited fursomelhing 
to turn up." Like the majority of people of his 
neighborhood, he is a native of the Netherlands, as 
were also his parents, .lohn and Alice (Kofman) 
Detir.'iaf. The fallici was a lallur liv trade ami 



572 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD, 



followed the same in his native country for many 
years. He reared the following children: Henry; 
Klaas, deceased; Adriaan; Alice, who died young; 
Ide, our subject; Alice, deceased; and Jennie. The 
fatlier held membership in the Reformed Church 
and was a worth}- and exemplary citizen. 

Until eighteen years of age our subject remained 
under the home roof and later learned the baker's 
trade. He married in tlie (^Id Country Miss Gertie 
De Beer, a native of Holland, and the daughter of 
Daniel and Zwaantji (Van Derlaan) De Beer, also 
natives of that country. Mrs. De Graaf was a 
widow when our subject married her, and was the 
mother of one child, Christina, by the first union. 
By lier marriage to our subject she became tlie 
mother of three children: Alice, wife of Pike Beu- 
kema; Adriaan, wiio married Tony Nukamp; and 
.Tolin, who became the husband of Mary Van Lente. 
In 1868, Mr. De (iraaf and family took passage for 
America and on reaciiing the coast of tlie United 
States made tlieir way to Michigan, and located in 
Holland, where numbers of their countrymen had 
located. He was entirely without means, but he 
found employment in a planing-mill and was en- 
gaged as engineer in tlie same for over six years. 

After the fire in that city, Mr. De Graaf began 
working at his trade in his own iiouse, baking b}' 
the kitchen stove, and continued tliis for six 
montlis, when he came to Zecland. In tliat town 
lie operated a bakery for some time and then bought 
fifteen acres where he now lives, adding to the orig- 
inal tract from time to time until he is now the 
owner of sixty acres of excellent land. He built 
a bakery, and although liis trade was mostly con- 
fined to liis own countiyraen, others liegnii to rel- 
ish his fine "Holland rusks," of which he made a 
specialty, and he soon had his liaiuls full. Now 
the business has so increased that he ships to nearly 
every State in the Union, and live thousand rusks 
are turned out every day. 

After reaching this country. Hit following chil- 
dren were born to our suliject and wife: Dina, wife 
of Rev. Tliomas L. DeLaiige; .leiinic, wife of Sake 
Uoonstia; Daniel, deceased; and Ida. Socially, IMr. 
I)('(;i:iaf is a meniher of the Hefoiined Church of 
Zecland, and fur twelve y«'ais was an KIder in the 
s:inie. His son A(lii:i:\n was interested with him in 



the business. He is married and the father of four 
children, as follows: Ide (a Dutch name for bay); 
Henrietta, Richard and Gertie. Adriaan possesses 
all the excellent business qualities of his father and 
is wide-awake and thorough going. 



eORNELIUS BOS, who is extensively en- 
gaged in growing celerv in Grand Haven, 
Ottawa County, claims Holland as the land 
of his nativity, his birth having occurred in the 
province of .Jerome, Februarys, 1841. His father, 
John Bos, died in Holland, and the mother, who 
bore the maiden name of Knelska Delnt llanns, 
also spent her entire life in that country. 

No event of special imiiortance occurred during 
the childhood and youth of our subject, which 
were quietly passed in his native land midst play 
and work. His school privileges were such as were 
furnished free by the Government. He remained 
in Holland until twenty-four years of age, when, 
having heard excellent reports of America and 
the advantages and privileges it affords, he re- 
solved to try his fortune in the New World. 
Crossing the briny deep, he landed in New York 
City, but did not tarry long in the East, coming 
at once to Ottawa County, Mich., where he began 
working in a sawmill on the Grand River. Two 
years later, in 1867, he came to Grand Haven and 
opened a meat-market, which he carried on for 
twenty years. He met with success in that under- 
taking. It was not long before he had built up a 
good trade, which constantly increased until he 
received a most liberal patronage, and in conse- 
quence reaped a good income. At length he sold 
out, desiring to give his altentitm to other pur- 
suits. 

In 188.T Mr. Bos began raising celery, and has 
since continued in that industry. Having bought 
a tract of twenty-two acres of land, he i)laiited 
thirteen acres of this with a good grade of ccU'iv. 
Ho raises the "white pluiiic" v;uicty, which is of a 



I'OinRAlT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



573 



very sii|)erior quality, and does an extensive celery 
business, niakins? larj^e shipments to Chicago by 
boat. He washes and markets from seven hun- 
dred to one thousand dozen stalks per day, and 
has a liirire trade in the home as well as the foreign 
market. He now gives his entire time and atten- 
tion to this bnsine.-s. wliicli is to him a profitable 
and paying one. He has made liuge investments 
in real estate and owns a nmnber of residences 
and other town property. 

On the r2th of November, 187:5, Mr. Uos was 
united in marriage with Miss Maria Van Doorne, 
of Grand Haven Township, and their union has 
been blessed with six children, as follows: Cornelia, 
Maria, Jennie, Martha, Henrietta and Mortimer. 
The family circle yet remains unbroken and all 
are yet under the i)arental roof. The parents are 
members of the Christian Reformed Church. Their 
home is the abode of hospitality, and in the com- 
munity where they live they have many friends. 
Mr. Hos is a Republican in politics, and was hon- 
ored with an election to the oliiee of Alderman of 
the Third Wanl, which position he filled two years. 
He is a man of excellent business ability, and his 
success in life is due to his able management, per- 
severance and enterprise. His example in this 
direction is one well worthy of emulation. 



•^1 



m.- 



■0 



^^T HRAIIAM MASTKNHROOK, an enlerpris- 
(@/4j| ing and lifelong general agriculturist re- 
ii siding upon a finely cultivated farm in 
Ottawa County, Mich., is a citizen of su- 
jierior ability and is highly esteemed by the 
community among whom his days of usefulness 
are passed. His father, Paul Mastenbrook, was a 
native of the Netherlands and, reared, educated 
and married in his birthplace, there attained to 
mature age before, with Ins wife and children, lie 
emigrated to .\iiierica, arriving in the I'nited 
.States in the year JH'):!. lie <lld not l.'iri y long in 
the KjlsI, but jonrncycfl In (»ll:i\v;i Cuuiily, Mich., 
making his home in Ivistman villc. I'mni in IT'.'M, 



he was fifty-five yejii-s of age when he located in 
the Wolverine State, anil survived his change of 
residence but two veai-s, passing away in 18.').'). 
A farmer by occupation, the father was a man of 
earnest purpose and excellent judgment and was 
a .Justice of the Peace in the village of Onddorp. 
Our subject was the fourth in a family of seven 
sons and daughters, who were in the order of their 
birth: .laenette, deceased; .lane, deceased; .John; 

j Abraham; Clara; Cornelius; and Paul; the five last 
named all at the present time surviving. 

Abraham Mastenbrook after arriving in America 

I remained in New Jersey for six months and then 
settled in Michigan, in Ottawa County, upon a farm 
in Eastman ville. For about foiirtaen years he has 
been a resident of his present homestead, eight 
miles southeast of (Jrand Haven. He operates 
ninety acres of valuble land, which when settled 

I upon was in its wild state, fifty acres now having 
yielded to high cultivation. .Mr. Mastenbrook 
is thoroughly at home in tiio details of agricultural 
life, having spent his youth upon his father's farm. 
He is also an experienced horticulturist, his acres 
bountifully producing wheat, rye, corn, potatoes, 
apples, pear.s, jjlums, grapes, strawberries and 
ras|)berries. liorn in the Netherlands, our subject 
received a good education in the schools of his 
native land, and when he came to this country was 
well fitted to successfully make his w.ay in the 
world. Ill 1801, Abraham Mastenbrook and Miss 
Nellie N'au der Made were united in marriage. 
Mrs. Mastenbrook emigrated with her |iaients from 
Europe in I«18. They (list settled in Kingston. 
N. Y.. liul after living in that Stale three or 
four years lemovcd to Michigan and located in 
(irand Haven. 

Ten children blessed the homo of mir sub- 
ject and his estimable wife, but six are now de- 

I ceased. The four surviving are Paul; Minard; 
Leonard and Nettie. Three of the children are 
with the parents, but .Miiinrd, married to Miss 
Julia McCracken, is in a home of his own. A man 

I of temperate habits, frugal and industrious, Mr. 
Mastenbrook has been financially prospeied. 
Fully appreciating the advantages of a Republican 

1 government, our subject li.as ever been :i patriotic 
citizen of his nduplcd counlry and is a veteran of 



574 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



the late war, and under Sherman's command par- 
ticipated in tlie famous marcli to the sea. Mr. 
Mastenbrook was engaged in the battles of Atlanta, 
Chattanooga, Columbia, S. C, and Savannah, and 
took an active part in the various fights and skir- 
mishes of the long campaign. At the close of the 
war returning to Ottawa County, he again resumed 
the peaceful avocation of a tiller of the soil. A niem- 
lier of the Grand Army of the Repulilic, our .sub- 
ject is fraternally associated with Champlain Post, 
No.' 29, at Grand Rapids, and much enjoys the re- 
unions of the order. M'-. and ]\Irs. Mastenbrook 
are both worthy- members of the Congregational 
Church at Eastman ville and are ever ready to aid 
in the support of cliurch work, also giving 
liberally to benevolent enterprises of their home 
localitj'. Politically a Democrat, our subject is 
now most acceptably discharging the duties of 
Highway Commissioner and, taking a deep interest 
in both local and national i.ssnes, is intelligenty 
posted on all the vital questions of the day. He 
and his famil}' occupy positions of useful influence 
and are universally esteemed. 



I[-^''OLLIN H. PELTON. Ottawa County has 
llUir no homestead more pleasantly situated than 
that owned and occupied by the subject of 
this sketch, who is one of Tallmadge Town- 
ship's most enterprising farmers and fruit-growers. 
At tlie present time lie cultivates about three hun- 
dred acres of land, fifty of which are |)lanted to 
fruit trees, and the balance dcvoteil to the laising of 
cereals, lu cultivating the soil, Mr. I'elton dis- 
plays the possession of excellent judgment and 
good business qualities, and to these characteristics 
is due no small measure of his success. 

In referring to the parental history of our sub- 
ject, we (iud that he is the son of Hollin and Abi- 
gail ( IVitoii ) IVlton. natives respectively of Wn- 



mont and Canada. The former was educated in 
the Green Mountain State, where he w.as for some 
time a student in an .academy. Upon attaining 
maturity' he migrated to Canada, and engaged in 
business as a lumber dealer until 1848, when he re- 
moved to the States and, locating in Michigan, set- 
tled in the vicinity of Grand Rapids. Later he 
removed to Ottawa County, and upon the home he 
there established he conducted farming opei-ations 
until his demise, which occurred in 1868. lie 
was a man of u|>right character, firm in his convic- 
tions and cour.ageous in the defense of his opinions. 
He and his wife were the parents of five children, 
of whom the subject of this notice is the youngest. 

Born in Canada in 1844, Rollin H. Pelton was 
a child of four years when brought by his parents 
to the States, and he grew to manhood amid the 
scenes of Kent and Ottawa Counties, Mich., whore 
he availed himself to the utmost of such educa- 
tional advantages .as the common schools afforded. 
Ashe was observant and thoughtful, he supple- 
mented his schooling by self-culture, and in that 
way became the possessor of broad information 
upon all subjects of general interest. He was still 
quite young when he came to Ottawa Countj', and 
here he also prosecuted his studies in the public 
schools. From boyhood he has been familiar with 
agricultural pursuits, and upon choosing an occu- 
pation in life, selected that to which he had been 
reared. 

Remaining an inmate of the parental home un- 
til the death of his father, our subject then assumed 
charge of the home farm, and has ever since con- 
ducted agricultural operations upon an extensive 
scale. Success has crowned his labors, and he is 
now recognized as one of tlie substantial farmers 
of the count}-. He has also mot with considerable 
success in the raising of small fruits, for which he 
finds ready sale at the neighboring markets. In 
his political belief, he adheres with fidelity to the 
platform and principles of the Democratic party, 
of whicli ho is f>uo of tlie leaders in this section. 
He has hold the office of Supervisor for a mimlier 
of voars, reprosonting 'rallmadge Township upon 
the Hoaril of Ottawa County. 



ae 



se 




l^-J-'VW^ 



BIOGI^p^BIG'pLi. 



Adams, John il 

Adums.John Q 39 

Aikcii.Q. W 281 

Albors, John 22S 

AlforJ. Charles 521 

Allen, Alfred 47S 

Anderson, Halvor ^'H 

Anderson, William 412 

Angel, W. M 553 

Angell.D. M 20« 

AnjB. John *tl 

Arthur, Chester A »!) 

Aslakson, Hans *. ^5 

Atwm)d,H. B .471 

Aubry.E. J .' 466 

Avorill. \N.S 278 



B 



Baar. Jacob 2«S 

Baker, H. U 521 

Baker, J. J 440 

Balbiniie, James 26'; 

Balkeina, J. K :I03 

Barnaby, W. C) 55K 

Barnard, Mrs. H. C 526 

Bartholomew, K. K 471 

BaM.Hi4>, Anton 560 

Bat<-lielder, W.I) .'i7ll 

Kaukneehl .Jacob 317 

Bean. K.J., M. U 513 

Beernian, L. 4 » 171 

Be};enuin. (tUNl .M12 

Behrenii, tklwarU 211 

Bell, I>. 22i; 

Moment, H. (' 5l(i 

Benjaininx*. William .Vi7 

Bemiiiik. i jeerliani 2;Vi 

Bi^-nell.T. H Mhi 

liilz. Aloys 513 



Bither, J. J 1S5 

Blanehard, O. D 205 

Bloeeker, Henry 273 

Bolt.H. J Mil 

Bolt.T. J.G 197 

Bos, Cornehus 572 

Bos, Doeke 528 

Boyce.S.H 311 

Boyer, Kuos 313 

Brennau, Capt. Simon 519 

Briggs.C. E 430 

Brittin, A. B 265 

Broner, Samuel 341 

Brott, C. A 291 

Brett, W.J .t57 

Brown, C. P., M. D 422 

Brown, Hobby 214 

Brown, S. E 122 

Brundage.Hon.C. L 198 

Buchanan. James 75 

Busby. John, M. D 482 

Buswell, H. W .To5 



C 



Caliir.D. E 4.56 

Callan,T. B 266 

Campbell. K. H :t28 

Campbell, John :»5 

Carpent<*r. lion. William 193 

Carr.O. B 367 

Carr, W. T 261 

Cavnnau;;h. James 296 

Chaddoek.Dr. Gilbert .iBK 

Champion, U. M 137 

Chapman, J. II IH4 

Chase, c. A 274 

Cheesmun, J. U 128 

Chiltemh'n, W. B 312 

Chmi'h.H. B 375 

Clark. C. H .Wl 

Clark. K, I' 187 

Clark, J. H 297 

Cleveland, S. drover 103 

Cobb,(!. N 137 

Conley. W. B 43'; 

Connell, I'. J 237 



Cook, C.J 414 

Cooley , H. A 468 

Cornelius, J. M 499 

Cosgrove, A. M 4(i5 

Covell, M.B 314 

Cowlcs.T. P 155 

Crocker, W. H. H 420 

Crockett , William 4.19 

Crosby. E. G 276 

Cutler, Hon. Dwit-ht 142 



D 



Daggett, Solon 248 

Darling. D. M 3:» 

Davies. Joshua 15;t 

Davis, J. T :B1 

Daytim,J. T., M.II .518 

DeGraaf, Adi'iaan 571 

De Graaf, Ide 571 

De Haas, John 413 

De K^uir, Henry, Jr . . .4 16 

Delaney, John 216 

Delano. H.I 386 

De Long. Hon. Nelson 141 

DeKoo.C. J 307 

De Vries, B. J .■«94 

DeVries, H. J 492 

De Vrics. Jerry .553 

Dewitt, P. A :»45 

Diekema, G. J 3.36 

Diekenm, Wiepke MX 

Dosker. K.-V. II. E 494 

Dove, C. J.,M. II .530 

Dow, A. L :«»7 

Dowd, Pall iek .lit 

Diittenhofcr, E. M 18:1 



Eckhoir, John 221 

Edwanl. J. Ii 508 



txiward. .Itiseph /.;i8fi 

Emiaw, A. J i:o 

Blst^s, S. D 2.3:1 

Evans, Seth -ijcj 

Eyke. Leonard 252 



Fahling. Philip aofl 

Fallon, J. P 202 

Farr, William .jjr, 

Fay, William i;;} 

Fenner. John 311-, 

Ferry, Hon. T. W 1J4 

Fillmore. Millard fl7 

Fleming, R. A sno 

Fox, F.J 30,; 

Franks, I. K .151 

Fulkerson, Burnett 246 

Fuller, George 44$ 



G 



(tainble, C. S 246 

Qarlield, Jainea^ !» 

i)ate<, D. J 3ti3 

Gee, J.J 102 

Hill, L. W 378 

Oillhespy , John 167 

Godfrey, B. B.. M. D 400 

Ooodenow, Isaiah I'm; 

Gordon, E V:!.-* 

Gordon, O. P ;I7:I 

Grant, UlyssicsS 87 

Onmi,C. 1 277 



llaekley. Hon. C. H .124 

Hall, Fianci'i JWO 

Hall, John .H48 

Harrison, Benjainin 107 



676 



INDEX. 



Harrison, William Henry. 

Hayes, H. H 

Hayes, Rutherford B 

Hayward, Edwin 

Hayward, MoDtgomery. . 

Heyboer, Peter 

Heyboer, Philip 

Hills, C. H 

Hinman, Frederick 

Hitchcock, G. T 

Hoffman, George 

Holt, Hon. H.H 

Hopkins, A. G., M. D 

Horton.A. P 

Horton, I. C 

Howden, J. J 

Hoyt, Hon. C. K 

Hubert. Gustav 

Hudson, H.E 

Hummer, G. P 

Humphrey, E.J 

Hunter, Hiram 

Huntley, Alfred 

Huntley, James 

Huntoou, I. F 

Hutchinson, Jame,s 



. ."il 
..25t 
.. 91 
.335 
..,■59.5 
. .36» 
..364 
...•2.t5 
.AGS 
..145 
..2,56 
...117 
..236 
. .439 
..387 
..538 
. .315 
..184 
..:W7 
. .271 
..261 
..267 
..273 
..450 
. .3.12 
..201 



Kronemyer, Albert. 
Krupp, W. H 



.481 
..564 



Jackson, Andrew 43 

Jackson, B. H 455 

Jasper, Ajithony 376 

Jeltersou, Thoir.as 27 

Jekel, Henry 510 

Jenison, Luman 371 

Johnson , Andrew 83 

Johnson, J. E 217 

Johnston, G. N 227 

Johnston , Tliomas 306 

Jones, Frank 409 

Jones, G. \V 258 

Jones, John :S57 

Joy, Asa 410 



K 



Kamhout, JIarinus 355 

KautiTs, Rokus 496 

Kclley,M.C 212 

Kelly", W. D 136 

Kelly, W. D i"-'! 

Kemme, Claus 351 

Kenney. K. S 298 

Keppel, Govert 138 

King, B. D., M. D 56G 

King.C.L 122 

Kleyu, J.K 272 

Kolb. William 406 

Kollen, Prof. G.J 166 

K<Kiinian, .loosl 549 

Koon.C. E.,M. I) 178 

Kremers, Henry, M. D 331 



Lahuis, Kasper 473 

Latnoreaux, R. G 506 

Lange, Hermann 286 

Lange, Max 506 

Langkowel, Herman 540 

Larson, Thomas 470 

Latham. G. A 241 

Laubach, John 437 

Lawton, Perley 405 

Lee, Capt. Seth 2S7 

Le revre,G. L., M. D 421 

Leslie, Hon. C. H 429 

Lewis, J. C 476 

Lillie, Benjamin .544 

Lillie, C. C 203 

Lillie, Roswell .5M 

Lillie, W. 1 282 

Lincoln, Abraham 79 

Losby, P. W 413 

Lugers, Luke 337 

L^'man, Lucius 391 



M 



Macdonald, R. J 510 

Madison, James 31 

Maffett, Samuel 171 

Malcolm, James 242 

Mangold, Frank 383 

Martin, W. T 1.58 

Mason, G.H 123 

Mason, R. B 467 

Mastenbrook, Abraham .573 

Masterson, John 432 

McBridP, J. F 213 

McComb, W illiam 147 

McKillip, W. M 172 

McKinstry, Hon. W. H 146 

McLaughlm, David 302 

McMillan, tJeorge 177 

McNett, J.B.M. D 191 

Mears Albert 194 

Mees, Capt. William 1.52 

Meinhardi, J. D., M. I> 346 

Merrill, Hon E. W 223 

Miedema, Dirk 435 

Miller, Thomas .564 

Miller,G M 192 

Miller, Henry 202 

Miller. J. A 489 

Milne, David 153 

Misner, P. P 2.54 

Monroe, Janics :i5 

Moon, Hon. J. W .541 

Moore. W. E .507 

Moriarty, Prof. D.J 135 



Morrison, W. B.. M. D 372 

Masher, L. D a53 

Mountford, Samuel 486 

Mueller, Rudolph 501 

Murphy, Thomas 453 



N 



Naber, J.J 490 

Naber, J. P 318 

Nelson, Nels $63 

Nelson, N. P 218 

Nienhuis, Wybe -.565 

Nims, F. A 262 

Norrington, Hon. J. W 222 

Northouse, A. C 361 

Nufer, W. F 522 

Nyland. A. J 312 



Q 



o 



Oakes, D. C 4.5.1 

Oat man, Truman 308 

O'Connor, H. A 417 

Odion, W. F 216 

O'Hara, James 537 

Olson, O. U 554 

Olson, Tom 533 

Outhwaite, G. F 201 

Owen, \V. W 491 



Palish, Wells 441 

Parker, H.E 551 

Parrish. Enos 458 

Parsons, J. H ;S04 

Patt-erson, Adam 231 

Peck, William 495 

Pelgrim , Hubert .523 

Pelton, Ephraim 224 

Pelton, R. H 574 

Perham, Hon. J. B 418 

Perley, M. V 195 

Peterson, Charles .5.56 

Peterson, Peter 477 

Pierce, Franklin 71 

Pillen, Lorenzo 168 

Pin tier, Curtis 207 

Pitkin, C.G 103 

Plant, H. E .5:i5 

Pocst, B.J 398 

Polk. James K .59 

Porter, Hon. (i. F 251 

Potter, W. H 28t 

Proctor, C. H 127 

Purchase, Alfred 568 



.563 
.525 



Quick, I. J 

Quinn,T. J.,M. D., 



R 



Reiseger, M.J .527 

Rice, Hon. G.C 187 

Robart,J. C 438 

Robinson, Alfred 447 

Robinson. Cliarles 447 

Robinson, Moses 503 

Robinson, Robert 460 

Robson, R.G 399 

Rooks, Gerrit .509 

Rooks. John 464 

Ross, C. F 175 

Rote, E. 6 284 

Row, W. A 148 

Rverson, Martin 334 



Sack, August 552 

Sack, Frederick 5.52 

Sanders, Oscar 512 

Sanford, G. D 311 

Sanl'ord, S. R 474 

Savidge. Hunter 131 

Scott, Frank 291 

Sessions, C. W 510 

Shanks, Adam 424 

Sheffield. Prof. J. H 164 

Sherburne, O. M ;t85 

Skeels, R. W .531 

Sniead. E. H 451 

Smith, E. J 1.56 

Smith, H. B 215 

Smith, T.D.,M.D 115 

Snowdin, William ;i58 

Soderberg, S. A 515 

Soniei-set, Thomas 46^1 

Sorenson, Lars 374 

Sprague, F. M 457 

Squier, F. W 228 

Stamp, F. P., M. D 382 

Staples. Hon. H. E 120 

Stearns. Ezra 176 

Stegeman, John 488 

Stein, Hul>ert 101 

Steketee, Bastian 287 

Ste>-ens,S. H 317 

Stevenson, W. H 144 

Stickney , l.,eonartl .501 

Stickney. W. E 125 

Stiles, E. W 322 

Stiles, Justus 322 

Stinson, T. C 181 



INDEX. 



677 



stone, Enos Wd 

Storrs, Maj.C. E 56!l 

SIreng.C. L «6 

Strong, J. E 182 

Sturgis, A. L 45» 

Sumner, A. B MS 

Swcnson, Swen 5.59 



Taylor, Zai'hary IB 

Ten Have, .John 393 

Thatcher, Etiwin 3!M 

Tlioinas, C'asar, >l. I) '292 

Thompson, Hans '102 

Tliompson, J. A *t4 

Thompson, Milton 1S6 

Thurston, Benton M6 

Thustell, Herbert, M. 1) &!!• 

Tillotson, (i. J 181 

Turner, J. W. A 458 

Twiss.J.K 44.5 

Tyler, E.E 161 

Tyler, John .55 



u 



Upton : Hon. Daniel, Sr 143 



Van Buren, Martin 47 

Vanden Beklt. (ierrit 428 

Vaiiclen Berg. A. G .306 

Vamlen Bosch, Anna .5.50 

Vantler Bosch Marenus 287 

Vander Haar, Albertus 193 

Vaniler Werp, .1. D .5;M 

Van Doorne. Cornelius 21*8 

Van Doorne, Martin 4(>:t 

Van I>yk, Otto 423 

VanHees, A. G 321 

Van Raalte, Rev. A. C 243 

Vanzalin^'en, li. B. W 28.5 

VauiH^lI, John 305 

Venekla.sen. Roelof 381 

Vincent, Henry 434 



Vredeveld, O 476 

Vyn, Derk 333 



w 



Waalkes, Hon. .Martin 293 

Waehtcr, William 537 

Waite, J. N 411 

Walker, R.G 242 

Walkley, W. S., M. D .52!i 

Wallia, George 3.54 

Walsh, Martin 3fi7 

Warber, Frederick :W 

Washington. George 19 

Waters, D. K 352 

WaUson, U. 151 

Watson, Edward 434 

Watson, Col. T. S 497 

Wat-soiw T. W 404 

Weatherwax, H. D 2.53 

Weersing, Jacob 362 

Weston, M I,., M. D 511 

Westrate, Cornelius 32;i 

Wetmore, J. I). ,'M. D .505 

Wheeler, J. H 430 

Whipple, William, Jr 440 

Whitney, U. L .532 



Whitney, Luther 116 

Wldoe, T. B 377 

Wilkinson, J. E 419 

Williams, J. H 2;« 

Williams, O. C, M. D .502 

Wilson, I>. A 132 

Wilterdink, J. A 478 

Wintermute, P. H 165 

Wiselogel, W. K 188 

WolIT, H. A 268 

Wood, W. F 514 

Woodard, Tracy 539 

Wooilbury , O. B 114 

Wo<Klbury, (1. T 483 

Woodbury, Jesse 483 

Woodman, F.B 528 

Woods, Capt H.J 119 

Wooilward, J. B., M. D :»" 

Wordcn, E. A 133 

Wylie. Juilge E. H 2;tt 

Wyinan, C E Itil 



Yat«s,U. E., M. U 327 

Young, William .55!i 



:poi?.ti^^its . 



.\darus, John 22 

Adams, John Q 38 

Anys, John 310 

.\rthur, Chester A 98 

Behrens, Kdwani 210 

Buchanan, .James 74 

Champion, 1>. M i'iH 

Cleveland, S. Grovcr 102 

Davis, J. T :t5n 

Ih- Long, Hon. Nelson 140 

Eckhoir. John 220 

Killmoi-e, Millard W> 



Garllcld. James A 91 

Grant, U. S Si: 

Harrison. Benjamm lOB 

Harrison, W. H 50 

Hayes, K.B !io 

Holt, Hon. H.H 116 

Hummer, G. I* 270 

Jackson, Andrew 42 

Jefferson, Thomas 26 

Jcnison, Lumaii 370' 

Johnson, Andrew 82 



KriMuers, llciiiy, M. I) SIO 

Lincoln, .\braham 78 

Lyman. Lucius 390 

Madison. James 30 

Mairett, Samuel 170 

McNctt. J. B., M. D 190 

Monroe. James 31 

Outhwaitc, O. F 200 

Patterson, Ailain 2;J0 

Pierce, Franklin 70 

Polk, J. K 58 

Porter, Hon. G. F 250 



Sanford, G. 1) 310 

Savidge. Hunter 130 

Scott . Frank 290 

Taylor, Zachary 62 

TilloUson.O. J 180 

Tyler, John 5< 

Van Buren, Martin iG 

Van Hees, A. O SiO 

Venekla.sen, Roelof 380 

Washington, George 18 

Wyman.C. E 100 



AT^IE^W^S. 



Aikfii, G. W il'.! 

And(*rson. William 443 

Averill, W. S 279 

I'arr, W.T 2.59 



(ionlon, .Mrs. E. E 239 

Jones, Frank 407 

Jones, G. W 2.59 

Joy, ,\»a 407 



Kenney, R. S 2!I9 

Kolb, William 407 

Ijatham, G. A 239 

Norl house, A. (' 359 



Bnowdin, Williani 3.59 

Twiss. John K 443 

Van Hoorne. Cornelius 2!(D 



/' 



I 




\ 



. t-* ± I . - o 



